- suv 139,615
- Killeen, TX
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- autoshopper.com
- suv 139,615 silver automatic
2000 dodge durango review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Refined for y2k. introductiondodge durango features big-rig looks to back up its off-road capability. The durango is bigger than the ford explorer and other so-called compact sport-utilities, but smaller than ford expedition or chevy tahoe. Yet it's more maneuverable than the expedition. the durango is a good choice for large families. Its theater-style seating arrangement gives rear passengers a view of the road ahead. The durango is also a good choice for people who tow boats or other light to medium-sized trailer loads. There's lots of power available from the big 5. 9-liter v8, while a new 4. 7-liter v8 and automatic transmission combination promise greater refinement. Dodge revised the front suspension and steering system on 4wd durango models for 2000 in an effort to improve ride quality and responsiveness. And, did we mention styling?. lineuptwo trim levels are available, while a host of packages consolidate popular options. A new value-priced sport model joins the durango line for 2000. Distinguished by special badging, it comes standard with a short list of popular options. Slt trim includes a long list of luxury amenities, starting with leather upholstery. now in its third model year, the durango line has been expanded to include three v8 engines: a 5. 9-liter v8, a 5. 2-liter v8 and, new for 2000, a 4. 7-liter v8. Last year's 3. 9-liter v6 has been dropped from the lineup. dodge created its new 4. 7-liter magnum v8 from a clean sheet of paper. It's far more sophisticated than the other two available engines with a pair of single overhead camshafts (sohc) in place of the more traditional overhead-valve (ohv) design and produces its power more efficiently for its size. Rated at 235 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque, the 4. 7-liter engine meets california's low emissions vehicle standards. This 4. 7-liter engine is epa-rated at 15/19 mpg on 2wd models. a popular choice is the highly competent 5. 2-liter v8, rated at 230 horsepower and 300 foot-pounds of torque. That's a bit more robust than the expedition's optional 5. 4-liter v8 (230 horsepower, 325 pound-feet of torque) and compares favorably to the tahoe's 5. 7-liter v8 (255 horsepower, and 330 pound-feet of torque). The durango should make a better tow vehicle than an explorer. With the 5. 9-liter engine and 3. 92 differential, it's capable of pulling a trailer of up to 7,200 pounds. Chevy's tahoe is rated to pull 7,000 pounds and ford's expedition is rated for 8,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the 5. 9-liter dodge v8 is rated at 12/17-mpg city/highway verses 14/19 for the 5. 2-liter dodge v8, and adds $595 to the price. two-wheel-drive versions were added for 1999. Both transfer cases use a manually operated shift-on-the-fly lever mounted on the floor. walkarounddodge durango doesn't look like other suvs. It makes a bold statement with its muscular styling. It looks sportier than ford, gm and many of the imported suvs. interioreight people can fit in the durango--six comfortably--with theater seating designed to give everyone a view out front. The back half of the roof is raised nearly 2 inches to increase rear-seat headroom and visibility. This raised portion is cleverly disguised with a roof rack. second-row seats are quite comfortable, offering plenty of headroom and adequate legroom. Stable cupholders and rear heating/air conditioning controls add to comfort. Third-row seats are surprisingly comfortable for two people, who achieve adequate legroom by tucking their feet under the second row of seats. Getting in and out of that third row is easy: flip a lever and the second-row seatback folds forward, then tumbles out of the way allowing a quick entry or exit. It's one of the best third-row seating designs on the market. when it's time to haul cargo, the tailgate lifts up and out of the way and the two rows of seats are easily folded down to provide a large, relatively flat floor. A trout bum could sleep back there. All durangos have a long, narrow storage compartment under the floor just inside the rear lift gate with enough space for the jack, flares and other roadside equipment. An additional storage compartment replaces the footwell when the optional third row is not ordered. overall, the interior design is executed well. Matching plastic trim provides an organic appearance. The seats appear rather plain, but they are comfortable. Carpeting is carried through to the backs of the rear headrests, which do not have to be removed when the seats are folded down - a convenient, timesaving feature. the driving position is comfortable with good visibility over an attractive rounded hoodline. Instruments are big and easy to read, though the speedometer appears busy with 2 1/2-mph hash marks. Power outside mirrors are easy to adjust with a big knob on the driver's door. Cupholders and storage trays are nicely designed, while a digital compass and other useful readouts are overhead. Large buttons on the leather wrapped steering wheel operate one of the better cruise control executions we've seen. driving impressionas sport-utilities go, the durango is fun to drive. We spent a week with the big 5. 9-liter magnum v8 in the washington area. It always feels willing to get down the road quickly with excellent throttle response and quick acceleration. a daylong drive though the texas hill country west of san antonio showed us dodge's 5. 2-liter v8 also has lots of power for undulating highways and steep, rocky trails. The durango handled well when driven briskly down narrow roads with tight corners and sweeping turns. Compared to other sport-utilities, the durango feels sporty. Steering is precise and the suspension provides excellent transient response, crisply turning from left to right and back again. We'd drive a durango anywhere. durango's competent off-road capability and on-road handling response don't come as a free lunch, however. We found ride quality on downtown washington's crumbling infrastructure a bit on the harsh side. It's a good setup for people who live in a dry climate, but want to be able to shift into ultimate off-road mode. It comes with everything above plus a planetary center differential. Shifting to full-time mode allows the front and rear axles to turn at different speeds, so the wheels don't fight each other in tight quarters yet traction is assured under all but the worst conditions. It also compares favorably to the full-size ford expedition, chevrolet tahoe and gmc yukon. durango is practical, intelligently designed and easy to operate. It cuts a distinctive appearance among sport-utility vehicles. Overall, it's a good choice for people who want to step out from the crowd. model lineup2wd 25,975); 4wd 27,975). assembled innewark, delaware. options as testedquick order package 28g 915) includes slt trim, floor mats, roof rack, fog lights, hood insulation, six-way driver's seat; slt plus 2,060) includes leather seating surfaces, highback bucket seats, steering-wheel audio controls, overhead console, automatic dimming mirror, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, premium door trim, wood grain trim, cd/equalizer with eight infinity speakers. Bucket Seats✔ Cruise Control✔ Air Conditioning
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