2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Review
The 2021 model year will see Dodge’s lineup reduced to 3 models; a coupe, a sedan and an SUV. But for the first time – and perhaps the last – each one can be ordered as a Hellcat. Though a Journey Hellcat would have been fun, the Durango is the next in line to receive the brand’s outrageous supercharged HEMI V8. As one of the few remaining sanctuaries for 8-cylinder muscle, when Dodge refreshes one of their core models you can bet there’re going to be bigger engines and more horsepower on the menu. So to accompany the more aggressive styling and updated cockpit every Durango receives this year, there’s a new king of the hill model that reaches beyond the already potent SRT 392. This Hellcat, which produces 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque from its 6.2-liter engine, puts down a 0-to-60mph time of 3.5 seconds via Launch Control and Launch Assist. That’s faster than a BWM X6 M! Its quarter-mile time is an equally crazy 11.5 seconds. And how about a top speed of 180 mph while still capable of towing 8,700 pounds? It sticks to the road with more downforce thanks in part to its new rear spoiler and has greater stability turning into corners afforded by the Hellcat-tuned suspension. Reservations open in November with pricing set at $82,490 including destination.
2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat AWD Review
If you need a 3-row SUV, let’s be honest, this one here probably won’t make your shopping list. It’s not because some of you wouldn’t want to drive your families around in a 700hp car, blow out ear drums with the crazy loud exhaust or crush legit sports cars at ever traffic light. Because those people do exist. But it’s more likely the $90k asking price and 13mpg that’ll end the conversation with the spouse. So chalk this one up to pure fantasy - it’s the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.
You may know that Dodge already sells an SRT Durango. But at only 475 horsepower – pft – boring. So Dodge has done what Dodge does best; they’ve added the Hellcat to the lineup. Though the bones of their vehicles are ancient, Dodge has done a remarkable job of constantly updating and adding new variants, keeping interest high. And if you like this one you’d better get on it – Dodge says the Durango Hellcat is a one and done, only available for this model year. And having driven it now for the past 7 days I can tell you it’s everything you imagine it to be. The husky exhaust, the supercharger whine, the sound of 2 fuel pumps feeding gas faster than you can afford it. It’s outrageous and yet adequately civilized to drive everyday with 2 caveats: no matter how loud you like your car this exhaust drones like mad and its small 320 mile driving range means you’ll need to add $86 fill-ups to your weekly schedule. And here’s an interesting tidbit – at 17mpg highway it gets the same mileage as Toyota’s Land Cruiser which has a smaller engine and 329 fewer horses. So, question: at $5,000 less would you rather this Durango or a Land Cruiser? Something fun to think about it.
For 2021 all Durangos get a makeover both outside and in including the addition of the new UConnect5 system laid out here in my preferred landscape orientation. It’s faster, does wireless phone projection and includes all of the awesome SRT performance page goodies – a muscle car lover’s dream that allows you to measure your accomplishments and keep tabs on this engine. It’s brilliant.
As compared with the lowly 392, Dodge says this Hellcat delivers a higher level of ride comfort, better handling in Track Mode, reduced understeer and much more downforce. So after you load the kids into the car and tell them you’re going to the amusement park but show up at the racetrack instead, you can validate that all of this is true. For me, on our well-groomed airstrip with impeccable tarmac, I’ve got 3 takeaways: 1) it’ll do 0-to-60mph in at least 3.7 seconds – 3.5 according to Dodge which is absolutely plausible, 2) it’s very loud and 3) the brakes have a lot of work to do to slow this down. 710 horsepower, 645 pound-feet of torque can turn out an 11.5 second ¼ mile which is stupid fast for a 5,700 pound SUV and I imagine if you opt for the summer-use rubber as opposed to these all-seasons you’d experience even more impressive Hellcat attributes. With the all-wheel drive and on this rubber sliding this beast around isn’t really in the cards. On public roads in Sport mode the handling is impressive as the Durango steers and cuts with a deftness that belies its size but at the same time this isn’t a sports car experience – it’s just too big and heavy for those kinds of moves particularly witht these softer sidewall tires. But the ride comfort is agreeable yet taut in the auto setting. And the 8-speed’s programming is smart but using the paddle shifters provides the most raucous fun on passes like this. Even after the flogging, all of the Hellcat’s vitals are running as cool as cucumber so it’s ready to be punished.
Obviously you would never buy this Durango simply to take the kids to school or pick up the groceries. This one is all about that unbelievable straight line acceleration.
Launch control and launch assist keep the tires from burning off and the driveline from exploding, providing an easy to use solution for best times.
I have that gene that attracts me to absurd stuff like this. Wicked cool, exclusive and kind of nutty. I mean, you could just get a Charger Hellcat and call it a day. But nope - Someone with deep pockets will want to have that one model that no one else has. Even if it makes little to no sense. It’s ridiculously quick, it’s loud enough to be heard from a mile away and it has all of the SRT performance goodies you can show off to the crowds this will undoubtedly draw. So if you have a dark dream of driving around in a 3-row Hellcat - the opportunity is here to embarrass legit sports cars at every stoplight.
Top speed is 180 mph and it can tow 8,700 pounds – that’s some combination. This gorgeous F8 Green example starts at about $82,500 while my tester loads in all of the creature comforts and safety tech for an as-tested price of $92,745. And for that you get the premium interior treatment with these wild forged carbon fiber accents, the Blu-ray entertainment system which is pretty outdated when compared to the new UConnect system, there’s a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system that can easily get lost in the exhaust note, and some other niceties. And if you don’t need these manually folding rear seats, you can delete them and save some weight. Otherwise, this Durango with the captain’s chairs is capable of carrying 6 in comfort with lots of cargo room leftover. The only items missing are a head-up display and hands-free lifgate– not available, and a sunroof which is available. So what do you think? Is Dodge reaching too far with the Durango Hellcat or is it the perfect family hauler? Either way, I’m glad I’ve had the chance to experience the insanity.
You may know that Dodge already sells an SRT Durango. But at only 475 horsepower – pft – boring. So Dodge has done what Dodge does best; they’ve added the Hellcat to the lineup. Though the bones of their vehicles are ancient, Dodge has done a remarkable job of constantly updating and adding new variants, keeping interest high. And if you like this one you’d better get on it – Dodge says the Durango Hellcat is a one and done, only available for this model year. And having driven it now for the past 7 days I can tell you it’s everything you imagine it to be. The husky exhaust, the supercharger whine, the sound of 2 fuel pumps feeding gas faster than you can afford it. It’s outrageous and yet adequately civilized to drive everyday with 2 caveats: no matter how loud you like your car this exhaust drones like mad and its small 320 mile driving range means you’ll need to add $86 fill-ups to your weekly schedule. And here’s an interesting tidbit – at 17mpg highway it gets the same mileage as Toyota’s Land Cruiser which has a smaller engine and 329 fewer horses. So, question: at $5,000 less would you rather this Durango or a Land Cruiser? Something fun to think about it.
For 2021 all Durangos get a makeover both outside and in including the addition of the new UConnect5 system laid out here in my preferred landscape orientation. It’s faster, does wireless phone projection and includes all of the awesome SRT performance page goodies – a muscle car lover’s dream that allows you to measure your accomplishments and keep tabs on this engine. It’s brilliant.
As compared with the lowly 392, Dodge says this Hellcat delivers a higher level of ride comfort, better handling in Track Mode, reduced understeer and much more downforce. So after you load the kids into the car and tell them you’re going to the amusement park but show up at the racetrack instead, you can validate that all of this is true. For me, on our well-groomed airstrip with impeccable tarmac, I’ve got 3 takeaways: 1) it’ll do 0-to-60mph in at least 3.7 seconds – 3.5 according to Dodge which is absolutely plausible, 2) it’s very loud and 3) the brakes have a lot of work to do to slow this down. 710 horsepower, 645 pound-feet of torque can turn out an 11.5 second ¼ mile which is stupid fast for a 5,700 pound SUV and I imagine if you opt for the summer-use rubber as opposed to these all-seasons you’d experience even more impressive Hellcat attributes. With the all-wheel drive and on this rubber sliding this beast around isn’t really in the cards. On public roads in Sport mode the handling is impressive as the Durango steers and cuts with a deftness that belies its size but at the same time this isn’t a sports car experience – it’s just too big and heavy for those kinds of moves particularly witht these softer sidewall tires. But the ride comfort is agreeable yet taut in the auto setting. And the 8-speed’s programming is smart but using the paddle shifters provides the most raucous fun on passes like this. Even after the flogging, all of the Hellcat’s vitals are running as cool as cucumber so it’s ready to be punished.
Obviously you would never buy this Durango simply to take the kids to school or pick up the groceries. This one is all about that unbelievable straight line acceleration.
Launch control and launch assist keep the tires from burning off and the driveline from exploding, providing an easy to use solution for best times.
I have that gene that attracts me to absurd stuff like this. Wicked cool, exclusive and kind of nutty. I mean, you could just get a Charger Hellcat and call it a day. But nope - Someone with deep pockets will want to have that one model that no one else has. Even if it makes little to no sense. It’s ridiculously quick, it’s loud enough to be heard from a mile away and it has all of the SRT performance goodies you can show off to the crowds this will undoubtedly draw. So if you have a dark dream of driving around in a 3-row Hellcat - the opportunity is here to embarrass legit sports cars at every stoplight.
Top speed is 180 mph and it can tow 8,700 pounds – that’s some combination. This gorgeous F8 Green example starts at about $82,500 while my tester loads in all of the creature comforts and safety tech for an as-tested price of $92,745. And for that you get the premium interior treatment with these wild forged carbon fiber accents, the Blu-ray entertainment system which is pretty outdated when compared to the new UConnect system, there’s a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system that can easily get lost in the exhaust note, and some other niceties. And if you don’t need these manually folding rear seats, you can delete them and save some weight. Otherwise, this Durango with the captain’s chairs is capable of carrying 6 in comfort with lots of cargo room leftover. The only items missing are a head-up display and hands-free lifgate– not available, and a sunroof which is available. So what do you think? Is Dodge reaching too far with the Durango Hellcat or is it the perfect family hauler? Either way, I’m glad I’ve had the chance to experience the insanity.