2012 Dodge Durango Trims and Specs

Nimble, stylish, comfortable and surprisingly well-equipped, the 2011 Durango SXT represents the entry-level trim in Dodge’s midsize crossover lineup. Standard 3-row seating accommodates up to 8 passengers, and with fold-and-tumble reclining second- row seats, access to the third row is a piece of cake. Cargo capacity, meantime, is maxed out at 84.5 cubic feet, with a standard fold-flat front passenger seat adding a bit more to that. Sporting 18-inch alloy wheels and heated power mirrors outside, this nifty ute boasts cloth upholstery, remote power door locks, front power windows, cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering and tri-zone climate control on the inside. Entertainment is presented by an MP3-capable single-CD player with 6 speakers, complemented by satellite radio.

Options include the UConnect/Leather Accents Group that stars Bluetooth technology, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted phone controls, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with mic and a leather-trimmed shift knob. Then there are such extras as a Class IV towing package, rear-view camera and rear parking sensors, 40GB hard drive for music storage, power-adjustable driver’s seat and a power sunroof, many in various package configurations. Additionally, look for available second-row captain’s chairs later this year, which will, of course, cut the number of occupants from 8 to 7.

Powering the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 2012 Durango SXT is a standard 3.7-liter Flex Fuel V6 with a 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission with brake hill-holder. This pairing nets 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and can tow some 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Mileage with the variable-valve-timed (VVT) six-banger is a tepid 16 mpg city/23 highway.

Standard safety items for the 2012 Durango SXT include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, 3-row head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Additionally, this classy, family-oriented crossover ute sports standard front fog/driving lights and a post-collision safety system.

Carrying all the bells and whistles of its breed, the 2012 Dodge Durango SXT AWD, as its moniker implies, is also blessed with driver-selectable all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. Look for 84.5 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seats folded in this handsome midsize crossover, while 3-row seating, accessed by reclining fold-and-tumble second-row bench seats, means standard room for 8. Complementing all this utility are 18-inch alloy wheels and heated power mirrors outside, and cloth upholstery, power front windows and remote power door locks inside. Then there are such standard goodies as telescoping tilt-wheel steering, tri-zone climate control and cruise control to round out this classy cabin. Of course entertainment hasn’t been neglected, with an MP3-capable single-CD player and 6 speakers bolstered by standard satellite radio.

A number of packages boasting gizmos and goodies like UConnect/Bluetooth communications technology, a power sunroof, rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, an 8-way power driver’s seat, 40GB hard drive and skid plates are available in the Durango SXT AWD. Also look for the Class IV towing package, while second-row captain’s chairs ought to be available later in the model year, reducing occupancy from 8 to 7.

The standard ethanol-capable (FFV) 3.6-liter V6 mates teams with a 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission, with brake hill-holder, for 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque in the 2012 Durango SXT AWD. Towing is maxed out at 5,000 pounds, and mileage is estimated at 16 mpg city/23 highway. Auto-locking hubs mean that the AWD system, which automatically shifts power (torque) from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip, is left to the discretion of the driver as to staying in AWD or cruising in the usual rear-wheel-drive (RWD) mode.

Safety-wise, the 2012 STX AWD sports standard 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, 3-row head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Topping off the list of standard safety items are a post-collision safety system and front fog/driving lights.

The feature-endowed 2012 Dodge Durango Crew might be one of the most worthy 8-passenger midsize crossovers on the market. Graced with 84.5 cubic feet of cargo space, a comfy, nearly luxurious cabin and some of the most appealing driving dynamics in its class, this snazzy family hauler sports a standard roof rack, 18-inch all-terrain tires and heated power mirrors, and that’s just on the outside. Inside, cloth upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a fold-flat front passenger seatback, power door locks (remote keyless entry), power front windows, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, tri-zone climate control, remote start, cruise control, fold-and-tumble reclining second-row seats, a universal remote garage-door opener, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and memory for driver's settings are all complemented by leather cabin accents, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Ten Alpine speakers are coupled with a single-CD player to pound out 506 watts of audio, while a USB connection, satellite radio and a 40GB dash-mounted touchscreen media center complete the entertainment suite. Communications, meantime, are handled by standard Bluetooth technology that can be coupled with the available UConnect system for seamless, hands-free communications.

Additional options include a Garmin hard-drive navigation system, power sunroof, Class IV trailer towing package, heated power-tilting and telescoping steering wheel, 20-inch chrome-clad wheels and rear-seat DVD/Sirius TV entertainment. Later this model year, look for available second-row captains chairs, which will drop capacity to 7 occupants.

A standard 290-hp 3.6-liter ethanol-capable (FFV) V6 engine powers the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 2012 Durango Crew, while the 5-speed shiftable automatic with brake hill-holder manages 260 lb-ft of torque. With variable valve timing (VVT), expect 16 mpg city/23 highway from this handsome crossover, along with 5,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped.

For significantly more go, a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, featuring variable valve timing and multi-displacement cylinder deactivation is available to the rear-wheel-drive-only (RWD) 2012 Durango Crew. A brand new 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission handles 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with the brake hill-holder again standard. Mileage-wise, look for 14/20 out of the potent Hemi, as well as 7,400 pounds of towing with the proper equipment.

Safety-wise, expect the 2012 Durango Crew to sport 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, 3-row head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Then there are standard front fog/driving lights, a post-collision safety system, remote antitheft alarm and turn-signal-integrated mirrors. Optional safety equipment includes blind spot warning and the cross-path alert system.

Take a ride on the sporty side with the 2012 Dodge Durango R/T. But don’t think there’s any less utility or versatility in this midsize crossover. It still has standard seating for 8, 84.5 cubic feet of cargo space, a fold-flat front passenger seatback and some 7,400 pounds of towing capacity, when properly equipped. However, this overwrought, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) family crossover also packs a standard 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and sport-tuned suspension boasting standard rear-end load leveling, not to mention most of the baubles and bangles of its higher-end siblings. The V8 meshes with a new-for-2012 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission (with the brake hill-holder feature) to pound out 390 lb-ft of torque, and a multi-displacement system (MDS) in the Hemi shuts down 4 cylinders at highway speeds. Alas, despite variable valve timing (VVT) and MDS, mileage is estimated at only 14 mpg city/20 highway.

The aforementioned baubles and bangles include 20-inch alloy wheels, power rear liftgate, heated power-adjustable mirrors and a roof rack on the outside, with premium cloth upholstery as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob decorating the inside. Further cabin comfort and convenience goodies include a power-adjustable driver’s seat, power windows and door locks, cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, remote engine start, a universal remote garage door opener, fold-and-tumble second-row seating, tri-zone climate control, a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors. A 506-watt Alpine stereo system, meanwhile, boasts 10 speakers and a single-CD player, with satellite radio, a USB connection and a dash-mounted CD/DVD video monitor adding their bit to your listening pleasure. Finally, standard Bluetooth hands-free technology can be combined with the available UConnect system to ensure effortless and safe in-vehicle communications.

Options in the 2012 Durango R/T include Garmin navigation, rear-seat DVD/Sirius TV entertainment, a Class IV towing package, a power sunroof, leather-trimmed upholstery and memory for driver's settings with power-adjustable front seats. Additionally, second-row captain’s chairs are scheduled for late availability. If selected, this configuration brings occupancy to 7 passengers.

Safety-wise, the 2012 Durango’s performance-oriented R/T trim sports 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, 3-row head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Further standard safety equipment includes turn-signal-integrated mirrors, front-fog/driving lights, a post-collision safety system and remote antitheft alarm.

Put a driver-selectable all-wheel-drive system in the already well-endowed 2012 Dodge Durango Crew trim and behold the Durango Crew AWD. This classy midsize crossover sports standard seating for eight, 84.5 cubic feet of cargo space and plenty of bells and whistles, as well as a surprising agility seldom encountered in these types of vehicles. Outside, expect 18-inch alloy wheels mounting all-terrain tires, a roof rack and heated power-adjustable mirrors, while the cabin is graced with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and power-adjustable front seats. Add to that cloth upholstery, fold-and-tumble reclining second-row seats, a fold-flat front passenger seatback, remote keyless entry, remote engine start, front power windows, tri-zone climate control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, cruise control, memory for driver's settings and a universal remote garage-door opener. Then there’s standard rear parking sensors and rear-view camera, as well as an MP3-capable single-CD Alpine system delivering 506 watts, complemented by a USB connection, satellite radio and a dash-mounted CD/DVD-capable touch-screen media center. Bluetooth hands-free technology is standard in the Crew AWD, with the popular UConnect system also available to bolster in-vehicle communications.

Additionally, the 2012 Durango Crew AWD can be delivered with an available hard-drive-based Garmin navigation suite, a Class IV trailering package, power sunroof, 20-inch chrome-clad wheels, rear-seat DVD/Sirius TV entertainment and, later this model year, second-row captain’s chairs that will drop seating capacity from 8 to 7.

A competent 3.6-liter flex-fuel (FFV) V6 engine drives the 2012 Durango Crew AWD, with a 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission sporting the brake hill-holder managing 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Mileage is estimated at 16 mpg city/23 highway, while towing is maxed out at 5,000 pounds with the proper equipment. When wheel slippage is detected, the unique all-wheel-drive (AWD) system automatically delivers power to the wheels that grip and is backed up by driver-selectable auto-locking hubs.

Available to the Durango Crew AWD is a performance-draped 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that’s managed by the new-for-2012 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, again with the brake hill-hold feature. This combo throws down 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque to the tune of 13/20, and towing is maxed out at 7,400 pounds with proper equipment. The AWD system again transfers power from wheels that slip to wheels that grip, boasts driver-selectable auto-locking hubs and, with the Hemi, also features a two-speed transfer case with electronic hi-lo gear selection.

Standard safety features in the 2012 Durango Crew AWD include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, three-zone head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Further safety features include front fog/driving lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, a remote antitheft alarm and a post-collision safety system. An optional safety feature is the blind-spot warning system with rear cross-path alert.