I was a little sad when there were rumors about the Dodge Durango’s discontinuation in 2023. However, the rumors might be rumors because it seems that Dodge will continue the SUV model. The redesigned version of Durango will possibly be released for the 2024 model.
Well, the current Durango generation was released in 2011. It has been a while, and the latest update of the SUV is in 2021.
I cannot say that the current Dodge Durango model is outdated. Still, Dodge cannot ignore the steep competition with other vehicles with the same platform, such as the Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.
What is your expectation from the 2024 Dodge Durango SUV?
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Redesign Exterior & Interior (What’s New?)
Both the Dodge Durango and Jeep Cherokees share the same unibody architecture, after all. That is why it seems that they have something of a rivalry. The more popular ones might be the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the regular Cherokee because they are seen as performance cars instead of SUVs.
People think both Cherokees are performance cars because Jeep is moving to a Stellantis Giorgio platform, especially for the Cherokee models. It does not mean that the Dodge Durango sales are bad. 60,000 units of the Dodge Durango have been sold in America alone this year.
The sales record is pretty promising, and it can be a basic reason why the Durango production will not be discontinued.
Besides sharing the same unibody architecture, Dodge Durango and Jeep Cherokees also share the same place for building the vehicles. Both are built at the Jefferson North Assembly plant in Detroit.
However, the plant finds it difficult to keep up with the global production of the Cherokees because of its high demand. That is why the production of the Dodge Durango is being moved to the Warren Truck Assembly plant in Warren, MI.
It means that the Dodge Durango is built in the same plant used for building the Jeep Wagoneer and Gran Wagoneer. This move makes sense because the 2024 Dodge Durango will no longer use the unibody frame. The new generation will use a body-on-frame architecture used by the Wagoneer models.
Why should the new generation of Dodge Durango change frames? Frame change will bring about some great improvements to the new SUV model.
People are complaining about the towing capacity of the current Durango because it can only tow 8,700 pounds. Meanwhile, the Jeep Wagoneer can tow up to 10,000 pounds. By switching the frames, hopefully, the new model of the Dodge Durango will get the same boost as the Jeep Wagoneer.
The Dodge Durango is an SUV, and people will look for the function more than the performance. With better towing capability, the Dodge Durango should be able to close the gap between this SUV and other competition models existing.
New Standard Features (Infotainment, Safety, Driving Assist)
I am curious about the new standard features that will be added to the 2024 Dodge Durango SUV. Unfortunately, I need to wait until Dodge releases the official information about the new generation of Durango. Until then, I can speculate about the features that might be added to the new model.
The speculation will be based on the updates for the Durango in 2021. New technology, instrument panel, front bumper, and the engine can be found in the updated version of the Durango in 2021. However, no change can be found with the frames.
Engine Specs
There is no way I do not have any expectations about the engine options of the 2024 Dodge Durango, although I do not know the fully redesigned version of the SUV yet. For me, the next generation of Durango should share a decent amount of powertrains and other specifications of the Jepp Wagoneer SUV.
I do not mind that the 2024 Dodge Durango comes with the upcoming turbocharged 3.0 liters GME-T6 inline-six-cylinder engine. Why do I expect this engine specification for the new generation of Dodge Durango? Well, the upcoming PHEV version of the Jeep Wagoneer SUV is supposed to have this engine.
Since Jeep Wagoneer is the rival Dodge Durango, the upcoming version of the Dodge Durango might also come with this type of engine if the Wagoneer uses this engine.
Release Date & Price
Another big question that many people will ask about the next generation of Durango must be when this SUV is available in the market.
I do not have any information from the official source, but I expect that the SUV production will start in late 2023 because the next Durango SUV might be offered as the 2024 model.
There is no information about a set pricing range for the 2024 Dodge Durango, but I think the price will be higher than the starting MSRP for the most recent Dodge Durango. The most recent Durango with the unibody construction is offered at $35,472.
Nevertheless, the expenses can be cut if Dodge switches the construction to a body-on-frame for the 2024 Dodge Durango. This option can be considered to offer customers F-segment vehicles with lower prices. At the same time, this option can also reduce the overall budget for producing the SUV.
The 2024 Dodge Durango will join the competition with the Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Jeep Wagoneer.