Jeep is talking about introducing a stretched version of the Grand Cherokee in a couple of years so Jeep can have a vehicle with three rows of seats to sell. But why wait? A stretched Grand Cherokee is available today at your local Dodge dealer. It's the Dodge Durango. The current generation of the Durango is made on the same assembly line as the Grand Cherokee.
The Durango competes with the larger crossovers with seats for 6 or 7. Most manufacturers have a vehicle in this class: Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Chevrolet Traverse, and so on. What makes the Durango stand out is the drivetrain. Of all these crossover SUVs, the Durango is the only model with seats for 7, a V8, and a two speed transfer case. (SUVs like the Land Rover LR4 and Toyota Land Cruiser really are in a different class.)
The Durango has a 115" wheelbase, 5 inches longer the Grand Cherokee. Overall length is 201", 11 inches longer. Durango with V8 weighs 4,987 lb, about 110 lb more than a similarly equipped Grand Cherokee.
For ExPo readers, the interior cargo space is probably more important than the seats for 7. Durango has 84 cu ft of space behind the front row of seats, up 16 cu ft from the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler Unlimited. That's 24% more space for your gear.
And leave the rooftop tent at home for short adventures. The Durango is long enough inside for a bed that fits normal size adults.
The Durango does not have the sophisticated AWD programming available on the Grand Cherokee. No locking differentials, and no four wheel air suspension. The Durango makes do with rear load leveling, traction control, plus hill descent and hill start assist.
The Durango is priced close to similarly equipped Grand Cherokee models. Worth a look!
The Durango competes with the larger crossovers with seats for 6 or 7. Most manufacturers have a vehicle in this class: Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Chevrolet Traverse, and so on. What makes the Durango stand out is the drivetrain. Of all these crossover SUVs, the Durango is the only model with seats for 7, a V8, and a two speed transfer case. (SUVs like the Land Rover LR4 and Toyota Land Cruiser really are in a different class.)
The Durango has a 115" wheelbase, 5 inches longer the Grand Cherokee. Overall length is 201", 11 inches longer. Durango with V8 weighs 4,987 lb, about 110 lb more than a similarly equipped Grand Cherokee.
For ExPo readers, the interior cargo space is probably more important than the seats for 7. Durango has 84 cu ft of space behind the front row of seats, up 16 cu ft from the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler Unlimited. That's 24% more space for your gear.
And leave the rooftop tent at home for short adventures. The Durango is long enough inside for a bed that fits normal size adults.
The Durango does not have the sophisticated AWD programming available on the Grand Cherokee. No locking differentials, and no four wheel air suspension. The Durango makes do with rear load leveling, traction control, plus hill descent and hill start assist.
The Durango is priced close to similarly equipped Grand Cherokee models. Worth a look!
