Autoblog

Dodge Durango smacks around Ford Explorer in latest TV ads

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

We have to imagine that Chrysler is pretty upset with the 2011 Ford Explorer. After all, when it came time to name the 2011 North American Truck of the Year, both of the Pentastar's latest offerings - the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee - held two of the final three finalist spots, only to be beaten out by Ford's new seven-passenger crossover.

Dodge, for one, isn't going down without a fight.

This latest set of Michael C. Hall-voiced advertisements puts the 2011 Durango head-to-head with the new Explorer, showing off the Dodge's best-in-class towing and more powerful powertrain options. Be sure to note the fine print in the first ad where it says, "2011 Dodge Durango Citadel and 2011 Ford Explorer Limited equipped with their most powerful engines available." In defense of the Explorer, it's perhaps unfair to compare top-end powertrains when you're putting a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 up against a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6, but, hey... Ford doesn't offer anything more powerful.

Follow the jump to watch both ads starring the 2011 Dodge Durango, and watch as it shames the award-winning Explorer with its brute force.

Continue reading Dodge Durango smacks around Ford Explorer in latest TV ads

Dodge Durango smacks around Ford Explorer in latest TV ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Durango snags Top Safety Pick laurels from IIHS [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Chrysler, Dodge

Chalk one up in the win column for Chrysler. The 2011 Dodge Durango has earned the title of Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That's a nice step forward over previous generations, which failed to achieve the honor. Now, however, any Durango built after May of 2011 can wear the safety crown proudly.

In order to get the Top Safety Pick award, the 2011 Dodge Durango needed to score a 'good' rating in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests. That's precisely what it did, and in doing so, it joins seven other Chrysler models that also earned the title of Top Safety Pick. The Durango can stand alongside the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 200 sedan, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey and Jeep Patriot (when equipped with available seat mounted side airbags).

Check out the video of the side impact test after the jump. Be sure to read the full press release from the IIHS after the jump, and check out the gallery of the particular 2011 Dodge Durango that was put out to pasture for the good of the model.

Continue reading Dodge Durango snags Top Safety Pick laurels from IIHS [w/video]

Dodge Durango snags Top Safety Pick laurels from IIHS [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler finally gets a compliment from Consumer Reports

Zach Bowman — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Dodge Durango - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hide your kids, hide your wife, hide your husband. One of the four-horsemen of the apocalypse has officially arrived. Consumer Reports has gone and paid Chrysler a compliment by saying that the 2011 Durango and Charger are the company's most-improved models and, on the whole, the automaker's cars are getting better. CR even awarded both the V6 and V8-powered Dodge Durango a "Very Good" road test score, putting it in contention with the likes of the 2011 Ford Explorer. The 2011 Dodge Charger Rallye also nabbed a "Very Good" rating, which is comparable to the 2011 Ford Taurus and 2011 Buick Lacrosse.

Even the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan walked away with the honor of a "Very Good" designation, but things aren't all lollipops and rainbows. Consumer Reports says that its testers were unimpressed with models like the 200, Avenger, Compass, Journey and Patriot, calling the vehicles mediocre.

Ouch.

The report says that poor reliability hasn't helped the Chrysler cause. Over the past three years, the organization has only recommended one of the automaker's vehicles - the Dodge Ram 1500. Hit the jump to check out the full press release.

Continue reading Chrysler finally gets a compliment from Consumer Reports

Chrysler finally gets a compliment from Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forbes releases 2011 Worst Cars on the Road list

Aaron Richardson — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Etc., Crossover, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Luxury

Forbes' Worst Cars on the Road - Click above for high-res image gallery

Forbes has released its 2011 Worst Cars on the Road list, and the outcome is not pretty for American manufacturers. With the exception of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the 2011 Smart ForTwo and the 2011 Nissan Titan, the cars on the list are all American-made. Worse than that, they all come from two manufacturers: General Motors and Chrysler. Ford managed to avoid the list completely.

To determine which cars get the dubious honor and which don't, Forbes compiles results from six studies by Consumer Reports including the Most Reliable Cars Report, Best and Worst Safety Performance Survey, Best and Worst Fuel Economy, Highest Cost of Ownership, the Best and Worst Values Report and Consumer Reports' overall scores for new cars.

Chrysler made the list with the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country, which racked up dismal scores for reliability and cost of ownership. Both the 2011 Jeep Wrangler and the Jeep Liberty made the cut, with the Liberty scoring poorly for reliability and fuel economy. The Wrangler joined the Liberty in the reliability department, and also ranked for worst value, and made a spot on Consumer Reports' Worst Cars list. The 2011 Dodge Nitro and Dodge Dakota made the list for similar reasons.

The picture is almost as bleak at GM, where offerings from Chevrolet and Cadillac crowded the picture. The base model 2011 Cadillac Escalade earned spots on the Worst Value, Highest Cost of Ownership and Worst Safety Performance lists. The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid hung with the Cadillac for Worst Value and safety, and earned a spot on the Least Reliable roster as well. The Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Colorado rounded out the worst General Motors offerings for 2011.

Though the results make it seem like General Motors and Chrysler still can't do anything right, there are plenty of vehicles from both manufacturers that didn't make the list. Added to that, luxury vehicles like the Escalade are at a disadvantage in the value and cost of ownership categories. Head over to Forbes for further explanation on how the worst cars are weeded out. Thanks for the tip, Irving!

Gallery: 2011 Forbes Worst Cars on the Road

[Source: Forbes]

Forbes releases 2011 Worst Cars on the Road list originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Dodge Durango catches fire during D.C. Cherry Blossom Parade while on float-pulling duty

Chris Shunk — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Safety, Videos, Dodge

2011 Dodge Durango Citadel catches fire during D.C. parade - Click above to watch the video

Call us partypoopers, but we're not all that big on parades. There's something about standing around only to see a bunch of floats passing by you that doesn't sound all that appealing. Now if said parade included a little unexpected action, we might be more inclined to enjoy ourselves, but we're not so sure the onlookers at the Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Parade would agree with us.

After the jump is video of a spanking-new 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel as it sat in the middle of the parade route, spouting flames from the hood. A local NBC affiliate reports that the newly designed SUV began to spew black smoke while towing a float on the parade route. After the hood was propped up the black smoke turned into a full-on car-b-que that engulfed the engine bay in flames. The local fire department, which was likely already participating in the parade, later came and doused the blaze, but the incident prolonged the parade by about 15 minutes.

Hit the jump to watch the flaming Durango. We don't know how much the float it was reportedly towing towing weighed, and we also don't know which engine this Durango has under the hood. On the bright side, we didn't even know that the Durango apparently has a self-closing hood in the event of a fire. At the same time, whether it's operator error or a defect with the vehicle, having a brand-new SUV burst into flames in such a public way has to have Dodge reaching for the Mylanta. Either way, points to the band for continuing to play on! Thanks to all for the tips.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango: Review

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: YouTube | NBC Washington]

Continue reading Video: Dodge Durango catches fire during D.C. Cherry Blossom Parade while on float-pulling duty

Video: Dodge Durango catches fire during D.C. Cherry Blossom Parade while on float-pulling duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #218: 2012 Honda Civic, BMW "i", Chevy MyLink, and GMC Granite

Dan Roth — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:14:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Dodge, GMC, Honda, Rumormill

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Autoblog Podcast #218 is here, and Chris, Dan, Chris Paukert and Zach return to talk about Chevrolet MyLink, the GMC Granite's rumored re-greenlighting, the 2012 Honda Civic and BMW's new "i" sub-brand. Questions and feedback wrap it up, and it's an hour and thirty-three minutes of fun this week. Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #218: 2012 Honda Civic, BMW "i", Chevy MyLink, and GMC Granite

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Ram 1500
2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ RS
2011 Dodge Durango Crew AWD
2011 Audi A6

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert

Runtime: 01:33:00

Get the podcast:
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Autoblog Podcast #218: 2012 Honda Civic, BMW "i", Chevy MyLink, and GMC Granite originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Dodge Durango

Chris Paukert — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Dodge, New Car Reviews

Finding Redemption Through Repetition, Groundhog Day Style

2011 Dodge Durango - Click above for high-res image gallery

Two years ago, on a lark, my girlfriend and I clambered aboard a new Dodge Durango Hybrid and motored from Detroit to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to take in the kitschy phenomenon known as Groundhog Day. The idea was to do a combined road trip story and vehicle review, but Chrysler didn't even wait for us to return home before it killed off production of the gas-electric SUV. In fact, it wasn't much more than two months after its initial announcement that production was cancelled at the truck's Delaware plant.

Blame Chrysler's then-dire financial condition, but the hybrid Durango barely made a dent on the Pentastar's production charts, lasting one model year and moving just 224 copies. Hold your belated "Who Killed the Electric SUV?" shrieks, though. Despite a nearly 25-percent increase in claimed fuel efficiency, the Durango Hybrid wasn't a particularly good vehicle. This wasn't really its fault, of course, as the already aging second-generation Durango upon which it was based wasn't a terribly refined piece to begin with.

Fast-forward to 2011, and we've commandeered an example of Dodge's all-new third-generation Durango to make our second-ever pilgrimage to see Punxy Phil. More importantly, we're using the trip as an opportunity to see if Chrysler has finally gotten around to building a better Durango.

Continue reading Review: 2011 Dodge Durango...

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango: Review

Continue reading Review: 2011 Dodge Durango

Review: 2011 Dodge Durango originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #217: Chicago recap, Camaro ZL1, Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

Dan Roth — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Podcasts, Hybrid, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge, Jaguar, Porsche

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Autoblog Podcast #217 is a little late. Blame Dan. That out of the way, Chris, Dan, Zach and Chris Paukert talk over their favorites from the Chicago Auto Show, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. We wrap with your questions and comments, as always, and we'll see you next week. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #217: Chicago recap, Camaro ZL1, Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Jaguar XF
2011 Jaguar XK
2011 Dodge Durango Crew AWD
2011 Chrysler 200

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert

Runtime: 01:01:00

Autoblog Podcast #217: Chicago recap, Camaro ZL1, Porsche Panamera S Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Dodge commercial pokes fun at Snowpocalypse

Dan Roth — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Dodge

2011 Dodge all-wheel drive commercial - click above to watch the video

All-wheel drive is available in the 2011 Dodge Charger, Journey and Durango, and with all of the widespread snow this winter, Chrysler is hoping you'll want every edge you can get.

To get the word out about its all-wheel drive lineup, Dodge is running a new TV commercial that pokes fun at the typically panicked behavior that ensues whenever the weather report calls for snow. After the local grocery stores have been stripped bare of milk and bread, you're going to have to go out of your way to restock anyway, so you might as well have a secure, confident way to do it, right? Dodge thinks its AWD offerings turn epic winter weather into little more than flurries. Does Auburn Hills have another hit on our hands from a seemingly reinvigorated Chrysler advertising effort, or is this one a dud? Check it out after the jump, then let us know in 'Comments.'

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Video: Dodge commercial pokes fun at Snowpocalypse

Video: Dodge commercial pokes fun at Snowpocalypse originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Configurators for 2011 Chrysler models appear online

Noah Joseph — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Chrysler 200 configurator - click above to build your own

Fiat promised a slew of new models when it took over at Auburn Hills, and our Italian cousins are making good on their word. But for the eager customers Chrysler is counting on, seeing photos of the new models is one thing, actually heading down to the local dealership and placing an order is another. Before most potential buyers these days get to that point, though, they tend want to know exactly how a new model can be spec'd out. And that's where online configurators come into play.

Fortunately Chrysler has just launched configurators featuring its array of new vehicles, including the new 200 sedan, the Town & Country minivan, as well as the Dodge Durango and Journey. You may not be able to specify the color of your seatbelts like on a Maserati, or the unfortunately-named paint shades like on a Bugatti. But if you want to know how that new Pentastar will shape up the way you want it, this'll give you a pretty darn good impression. Thanks for the tip, Ed!

[Source: Chrysler]

Configurators for 2011 Chrysler models appear online originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge announces 3/36 no-cost maintenance on select Durango and Journey models

Zach Bowman — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

Dodge Durango Citadel at SEMA 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has unveiled a new no-cost maintenance program for certain Dodge Journey and Durango models. Buyers who opt for the Durango Citadel or the Journey Lux will be treated to free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles that includes oil and oil filter changes every three months or 3,000 miles as well as scheduled and recommended maintenance at 6,000 mile intervals. The program also throws in $1,000 worth of trip-interruption coverage, towing and roadside assistance up to $100 and $35/per day car rental should you get into an accident. All told, Chrysler says that the program has a retail value of around $1,100.

We're guessing that no-cost maintenance is an effort to lure buyers to deeper ends of the Durango and Journey option pools. Of course, knowing that you won't have to shell out a dime for routine work on your vehicle is likely to be a big selling point when either the newly reworked crossovers are lined up against their competitors. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Dodge Durango Citadel "Black and Tan"

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Dodge announces 3/36 no-cost maintenance on select Durango and Journey models

Dodge announces 3/36 no-cost maintenance on select Durango and Journey models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #207: Fun CR-Z, Lincoln's new designer, the return of the Dodge Viper

Dan Roth — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Buick, Dodge, Lincoln, Nissan

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #207 of the Autoblog Podcast is staffed by Chris Shunk, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Chris Paukert. We hit the Autoblog Garage first and then salivate at the possibility of a non-hybrid Honda CR-Z. The defection of Max Wolff to Lincoln from Cadillac is next, and we ponder what that might mean before turning our attention to the return of the Dodge Viper as a 2013 model. We finish with your questions at the end for an hour and thirty-two minutes total. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #207: Fun CR-Z, Lincoln's new designer, the return of the Dodge Viper

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Buick Regal
2012 Dodge Durango Citadel
2011 Nissan Versa

News Topics:

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 1:32:44

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
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Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #207: Fun CR-Z, Lincoln's new designer, the return of the Dodge Viper originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Dodge Durango

Rex Roy — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Dodge, First Drives

A Dinosaur Dodges Extinction

2011 Dodge Durango - Click above for high-res image gallery

Geologically speaking, dinosaurs ruled the earth for a brief period. In automotive terms, the same holds true for the traditional sport utility vehicle. But while dinosaurs will never return, SUVs are attempting a comeback.

Autoblog readers all know the history of the American SUV; it started with the Suburban in 1936 when Chevrolet dropped a station wagon body over a truck chassis. Natural selection favored utilitarian characteristics, so the Suburban grew. Other forces were active in the land of Jeep. Their Wagoneer (1963) survived for decades thanks to genes that combined plushness with off-road capabilities. Another variation on the SUV was the unibody Jeep Cherokee XJ (1984), a new phylum that somehow mutated from body-on-frame parents.

Environmental influencers such as cheap gas and low lease rates caused an SUV Cambrian Explosion throughout the 1980s and 90s. Spontaneous parallel genesis occurred at other manufacturers yielding dozens of Darwinian finch-like variations. Then disaster struck. The entire range of SUVs nearly went extinct with the meteoric impact of 2008's financial collapse and a spike in fuel prices. Does the 2011 Dodge Durango represent the rear-wheel drive SUV's last gasp or its reemergence?

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Dodge Durango

First Drive: 2011 Dodge Durango originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Look: 2011 Dodge Durango interior

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Dodge Durango interior - Click above to expand

Chrysler has been slowly releasing the full details about the 2011 Dodge Durango, and while we've already seen the exterior from many angles, the interior has only been revealed in teaser images... until now. What you see here is the first shot of the all-new Durango's interior, and if its Jeep Grand Cherokee sister is anything to base judgments on, things should be pretty cozy inside the full-size Dodge.

Unlike its Jeep kin, the Durango appears to use a center stack that's completely housed within the dashboard, leaving room for a larger storage compartment in front of the gear shifter. We like the two-tone color combination (seen here on the Citadel trim level), and extra touches like upholder lighting and small amounts of aluminum and chrome accents make this cabin look more luxurious than before. We still need to get some butt-in-seat time before we can truly give it a thumbs-up, but so far, we definitely like what we see.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango

[Source: Chrysler]

First Look: 2011 Dodge Durango interior originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Poll: 2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Dodge Durango - What's your pick?

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Dodge, Ford

The SUV is dead. Long live the SUV!

The 2011 Dodge Durango and Ford Explorer are big departures from the models that they replace. Aside from the usual styling and refinement differences, the biggest changes for these vehicle are that they both ditch the traditional body-on-frame sport-utility vehicle DNA in favor of unibody constructions. By our definition, these once-SUVs are now CUVs, though their respective parent companies continue to brand them as being traditional sport-utes through and through.

Both the Durango and Explorer offer available seating for seven and all-wheel drive, but that's where the similarities start to taper off. Each vehicle offers a choice of two different powertrains, but while Dodge has opted to go a more traditional route with by fielding the Durango with both 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8 engines, Ford has gone in the opposite direction by equipping the Explorer with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-four and a 3.5-liter V6. There are pros and cons for each - the Explorer may prove to be more fuel-efficient, but the Durango ought to tow more.

Each of these new crossovers tries to stay true to the traditional SUV mindset, just in different directions. Ford's Terrain Management system will surely come in handy for people who need more off-road prowess, though the end result remains that the Explorer is arguably more of a tall wagon than an honest SUV. The Durango keeps things a bit more and has a strong, presence that we suspect will still be well-received by people who prefer honest-to-goodness sport-utility vehicles.

We could debate the pros and cons of each vehicle all day, and indeed, we're still waiting for the Full Monty-worth of details and specifications, but we still want to know: What do you think? If you had to choose either the Explorer or Durango, which would get your pick? Cast your vote in the poll below and be sure to sound off with your thoughts in Comments.

View Poll

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer

Poll: 2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Dodge Durango - What's your pick? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Dodge Durango unveiled

Zach Bowman — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:53:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Dodge

2011 Dodge Durango - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has just pulled back the curtain on the 2011 Dodge Durango, and the newest iteration of the Auburn Hills brawler looks to have all of the bones it needs to be competitive in one of the industry's most crowded segments. For next year, the vehicle will ride on a new unibody platform wrapped in freshly-minted sheetmetal. More importantly for those looking to ferry their brood about town, it will also boast a full three rows of seating. Under the hood, buyers can look forward to picking between the company's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or a 5.7-liter V8 with 6,200- and 7,800-pounds of towing capacity, respectively. All-wheel drive is available with both power plants.

Chrysler hasn't provided any fuel-economy estimates just yet.

The interior was worked over by the same gurus responsible for the superb, hide-lined cabins in the Dodge Ram and Jeep Grand Cherokee, and judging by the one teaser photo the company released this morning, it looks like a fine place to whittle away the miles. There look to be a host of smaller, but equally important changes onboard the Durango as well, including an all-new Dodge emblem on the steering wheel. If you were waiting to see what the face of the new Chrysler would look like, search no more. It's here. Look for the Durango to hit dealer lots by late this year.

Hit the jump for the full press blast after checking out our high-res gallery below

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading 2011 Dodge Durango unveiled

2011 Dodge Durango unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Dodge Durango teasers - Click above for high-res image gallery

Only days after our readers stumbled upon Dodge's test site for the 2011 Durango, the official word has been given from Chrysler that its new unibody SUV/crossover will, in fact, wear the Durango nameplate. As you'll recall, this new Dodge sport-ute was rumored to serve as a rebirth for the Magnum moniker, but it appears that those plans - if indeed they ever existed - have been scrapped.

The 2011 Durango shares the vast majority of its architecture from the new Jeep Grand Cherokee (which isn't a bad point to work from), and we expect both the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8 to be available underhood. Curiously, Dodge refers to the new Durango as a "three-row performance SUV" in its press release, which leads us to believe that Chrysler might have another trick or two up its sleeve. Durango SRT8? Makes sense, especially since the new 6.4-liter Hemi is slated for use in the Grand Cherokee. We also note that Dodge doesn't appear to be playing up the Durango as an off-road model, either, at least where badging is concerned - instead of proclaiming the new model available with four-wheel drive, they've added an all-wheel drive badge (as seen above).

For now, you can see plenty of teaser images of the 2011 Durango in the gallery below, and Chrysler has even provided a slideshow of images for your viewing pleasure after the jump. Expect the full details on the new Durango to be released in the next few weeks.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango Teaser Website

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]

Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Dodge Durango name confirmed?

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Dodge

2011 Dodge Durango teaser site (test version) - Click above for high-res image gallery

Magnum? Durango? There's been plenty of banter about which nameplate Dodge's new unibody SUV will ultimately wear, but now it seems we can put the debate to rest. At least two Autoblog readers have stumbled across the test version of the forthcoming 2011 Dodge Durango teaser website. Not only is "Durango" in the test URL, but "2011 Durango" is in the page's title tags, and the landing page of Dodge's test site lists it as an upcoming model. (Note to Chrysler: if you want to keep this sort of thing under wraps, don't use a public-facing test subdomain.)

The teaser site itself is fairly typical. Visitors can page through several close-up images, join a mailing list, and spread the news via social media. In fact, the Facebook share feature reveals the teaser site's eventual production URL. Finally, the website appears to confirm that the Durango will be sold as a 2011 model and not a 2012 as has been speculated. Our favorite part of the test teaser site, however, is the embedded audio. The music currently being used as a placeholder/audio test is the Benny Hill theme.

With both the 2011 Do dge Durango and the 2011 Ford Explorer now on unibody platforms, it'll be interesting to how consumers perceive the two vehicles. While Ford is pushing the Explorer as an SUV rather than a crossover, the new Durango's Jeep lineage (it shares its basic architecture with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, remember) could give it a significant advantage among those looking for a "real" SUV. Thanks to Matt and Bored for the tips!

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango Teaser Website

[Source: Dodge]

2011 Dodge Durango name confirmed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Aug 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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