In 2011, Dodge revealed its new Durango. This was no coy “has she or hasn’t she” redesign, but rather a top-to-bottom, inside-and-out redo. The SUV was transformed, with a unibody construction replacing the old truck-based body-on-frame approach, adding more contemporary styling and offering impressively improved handling, given its massive curb weight. In short, the 2011 Durango came out fighting, with Dodge declaring that the SUV would “lead the Dodge brand’s new product onslaught for 2011.” Given the changes of 2011, it is unlikely that much will be tweaked this year, with 2012 likely a carryover year for the Durango.

As a carryover, the Durango would return with five trims: the Heat, Citadel, R/T, Crew (with an available CrewLux package) and Express. As in the past, all but the R/T should deliver a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with variable valve timing paired with a 5-speed automatic and standard rear-wheel drive (although all-wheel drive should continue to be available). In 2011, the V6 generated 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque—a dramatic improvement over the Durango’s previous V6. Standard for the R/T last year (and available for all but the Heat and Express trims), the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with the multi-displacement system and VVT was also matched to a 5-speed automatic, but delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for both engines has been a weak spot, however, and if the Durango’s curb weight is not addressed for 2012, it could continue to be an area of concern. The lightweight Express and Heat RWD, for example, weighed in at 4,756 pounds (4,913 for the AWD versions), while the R/T RWD with its standard V8 topped out at 5,133 pounds (with the AWD reaching 5,331). These weights contributed to less-than-stunning fuel economy estimates, with last year’s V6 delivering 16 mpg city/23 highway, while the larger V8 really failed to impress with 14/20. Despite the poor fuel economy numbers, however, one of the Durango’s strengths should continue to be its towing capability. When outfitted with trailer towing equipment, the V8 was able to haul up to 7,400 pounds, while the V6 could still tow an impressive 6,200 pounds.

The Durango should continue to serve nicely as a family-hauling SUV as well. With the exception of the Heat, which seats 5, the Durango trims have offered seating for 7 in three rows, offering ample room for passengers and cargo (with 17.2 cubic feet of space with all three rows intact, and up to 84.5 cubic feet when the second and third rows are folded flat). The front seats were comfortable, although progressively less so as adults moved to the second- and third-row seats, where legroom became cramped. Overall, last year’s interiors were commended for their soft-touch materials and solidly built cabins, which some found stylish and modern, while others found the interior bland compared to competitors such as the Ford Explorer.

If the Durango continues along this path, the base Express trim will likely maintain its cloth seating with a 60/40 split in the second row and a 50/50-split third row. Outside, standard features would include 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, heated outside mirrors, foglights and automatic headlights. Inside, the Express has offered a standard tri-zone climate control system (front driver, passenger and rear), as well as a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The stereo has included a 1-year subscription to Sirius Satellite radio and a standard 6-speaker CD/MP3-compatible audio system.

The Heat trim has offered all the features found in the Express, adding larger (20-inch) wheels, a sport suspension and performance steering. The multimedia system took a step up with 9 speakers, a 506-watt amplifier, USB port, Bluetooth streaming audio, and standard UConnect, for voice-controlled operation of Bluetooth-compatible phones and other media. Oddly, the Heat has been the only trim with two rows of seats, reducing the number of passengers to 5.

The Crew adds to the Heat’s features, although drops the wheel size back to 18 inches to match the Express. 2011 saw the inclusion of a bright exhaust tip detail, power liftgate, exterior mirrors and tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. In addition to a memory function for the driver’s preferred seat position, the driver’s seat included 4-way lumbar adjustment and 6-way front passenger seat adjustment. The Crew’s technology lineup has also included the ParkView rear backup camera and ParkSense rear park assist system, as well as a multimedia system incorporating a CD/DVD/MP3/HDD touchscreen radio with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and 30GB hard drive capable of storing up to 6,700 songs.

In addition to the features found in the Heat, the R/T has added 7-passenger seating with HID headlights, a sport suspension and larger, 20-inch wheels with heavy-duty, 4-wheel disc antilock brakes. The most notable difference in the R/T has been its standard 5.7-liter Hemi engine.

The CrewLux has included the features found standard in the Crew, plus 20-inch wheels, SmartBeam intelligent headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, chrome details on the exterior (door handles and mirrors), as well as bright roof rails. The media center is also upgraded with a Garmin GPS navigation system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and adds Sirius Travel Link.

Finally, the top-end Citadel adds to the CrewLux’s features, bringing the bling with chrome-clad 20-inch wheels, bright exhaust tips and a chrome grille with bright inserts, as well as a standard power sunroof. Inside, the seats are trimmed in Nappa leather, with heated and ventilated front-row seats, as well as heated second-row seats.

In 2011, Dodge bragged that the Durango was able to offer consumers 45 safety and security features. There is no reason to expect them to back off that number for 2012. In addition to standard antilock brakes, all trims have included standard hill start assist, electronic stability control, rain brake support (helping to keep brake rotors dry in wet road conditions), as well as multistage front airbags, supplemental side curtain airbags for all rows, and supplemental front-seat-mounted side airbags and an enhanced accident response system, should an accident occur. The Citadel trim goes several steps further, with adaptive cruise control, a blind spot detection system, rear cross-path detection (warning of traffic crossing your path as you reverse) and a warning system for an impending front collision.

The 2011 Durango also offered a number of packages of options that could upgrade lower trims to match the features of the higher trims, as well as adding extras such as trailer towing capability or skid plates for the fuel tank, transfer case and front suspension. A rear entertainment group includes an overhead drop-down 9-inch screen for movies or Sirius Backseat TV (offering shows from Nickelodeon, Disney and the Cartoon Network). It also provided ports to connect video games and external audio players and, perhaps most important, wireless headphones and remote control.

Given the dramatic redesign of the Dodge Durango in 2011, most features should continue forward in 2012. Although the SUV’s weight may still impact fuel economy, as well as the V6’s acceleration, consumers could reasonably expect the 2012 Durango to offer a spacious and comfortable ride for 7, with safety and available technology to spare, all in a modern and stylish package.