Share pics and stories of your car, crossover or mini-van off-pavement adventures!
- Thread starter Cee-Jay
- Start date
bloodycape
Observer
The Durango is no more a crossover than the 4runner or Grand Cherokee(which it incidentally shares a platform with) ind Yes it is a unibody platform, but last I check that platform is still pretty capable vs the others. Would actually make sense to compare it with cars likes of the 4Runner, Xterra(seeing as the Pathfinder now is fwd crossover), and it's old nemesis the Explorer(though now a crossover).
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Cee-Jay
Sasquatch
Maybe... I think this is one of those vehicles that really straddle the line between SUV and crossover.
The Durango has been getting more car like over time and one can make a reasonable case that the latest generation (the one reviewed by Popular Mechanics) has become a crossover. Unibody construction, car-like driving position, road-biased handling, full-time AWD, front and rear independent suspension and finally approach and departure angles that are not particularly off-pavement friendly all point to a cross-over verdict. Motor Trend and many other publications are calling the Durango a crossover.
That being said, contrary to most crossovers, the Durango is based on a rear wheel drive platform and delivers 6200 pounds of towing capacity. Also, although full-time AWD is standard, there is an optional transfer case that provides AWD Low (Lock), Neutral and full-time active AWD. Further, as you noted, it shares a number of drive train components with the Grand Cherokee which many people still consider an SUV - though more and more media outlets are starting to call the Grand Cherokee a crossover too! The Popular Mechanics story ends with the verdict "The best three seat crossover is not a crossover", implying that they felt the Durango was stout enough to be considered a full-on SUV; they seem to agree with your view.
Chrysler says the Durango will deliver SUV capability with crossover versatility. It sounds like they very consciously designed this as a tweener, a vehicle that at base level makes a capable crossover but that with a few options can be a satisfactory SUV. The old Durango was supposed to be the middle ground between small and large SUVs while the new one is the middle ground between crossovers and full-on SUVs. So I think it makes perfect sense that some would consider the 2011 Durango a crossover, while others might consider it an SUV.
I expect that the line between a crossover and SUV, which has always been somewhat indistinct, will continue to be blurred. Trucks and SUVs are evolving into better and better road performers while certain cars and crossovers are delivering better towing capacity, stouter drive trains and better off-road capabilities.
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MadMax11
New member
Here's my Impreza navigating some exciting Alaskan terrain in a couple adventures of mine.
Crossing a river to head home from a few nights of camping:
Stopping on the Dalton Hwy to pick some blueberries on the way back from an Arctic Circle camping adventure:
This is on a non-lifted Impreza with Fozzy tires, for the moment..
Crossing a river to head home from a few nights of camping:
Stopping on the Dalton Hwy to pick some blueberries on the way back from an Arctic Circle camping adventure:
This is on a non-lifted Impreza with Fozzy tires, for the moment..
Interesting, kind of silly to call it a different model if its just lifted. Now if they added say a rear lockers too then maybe I could see the justification of a different name. So no mechanical difference or motor options(well beside the Impreza offering a WRX model).
Maybe you can tell this too, the difference between the Outback and Legacy wagon is also taller springs, and bigger tires or is there more of a difference there? Thanks.
Maybe you can tell this too, the difference between the Outback and Legacy wagon is also taller springs, and bigger tires or is there more of a difference there? Thanks.
Eaglefreek
Eagleless
Here's some pics of my Eagles.
This is in Nevada in the Ruby Mountains
In TN
This is in Nevada in the Ruby Mountains
In TN
JacksonRally
Adventurer
How did I miss this thread! I just posted my GL in the mid size.....oh well I shall share my Subarus with you all.
2006 WRX wagon. Now shes just the grocery getter as my GL is more geared towards weekend trips.
Some of my favorite shots from CA and up to Utah
The GL
D-90 to the rescue
Definetly need to catch up with Rood (jrally) when we are not at a rally!!!
2006 WRX wagon. Now shes just the grocery getter as my GL is more geared towards weekend trips.
Some of my favorite shots from CA and up to Utah
The GL
D-90 to the rescue
Definetly need to catch up with Rood (jrally) when we are not at a rally!!!
upcruiser
Perpetual Transient
Jacksonrally, did i see your WRX in Mammoth Lakes in early May? If nit yours it was someones built very similar. Good stuff.
So I am a Land Cruiser, Land Rover guy but basically did a six part blog about my exoeriences this spring playing around with the idea of using a Subaru as my overland vehicle. Part in my STI, part in an Outback XT. I discovered alot of insights and came away with a pretty positive experience and racked up a ton of off the beaten path adventure pushing the cars to the limit. Here's the link...
http://kristiansaile.wordpress.com/#!/page/1
So I am a Land Cruiser, Land Rover guy but basically did a six part blog about my exoeriences this spring playing around with the idea of using a Subaru as my overland vehicle. Part in my STI, part in an Outback XT. I discovered alot of insights and came away with a pretty positive experience and racked up a ton of off the beaten path adventure pushing the cars to the limit. Here's the link...
http://kristiansaile.wordpress.com/#!/page/1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeXwR0eIM3w&list=UUGfdMrQJ1U9ECzPA1ti1YCw&index=8&feature=plcp
Old video of me abusing my GTI offroad
Old video of me abusing my GTI offroad