TheaterFire

Dodge Reads the Room, Brings Back the V-6 on the Base Durango SUV

Posted by V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 61 comments

The V-8 is great, but enough entry-level buyers wanted the V-6, even if the final price difference is not so huge.

Reply to Post

61 Comments

The247Kid@reddit

First Durango I drove was a V6 and I really liked it. I was driving a 450 whp N54 at the time, so I had something pretty fast to compare it to. Bought the HEMI about 10 years later...and not much had changed lol
View on Reddit #74401986

Santa_Hates_You@reddit

Holy shit they still make the same Durango.
View on Reddit #71734208

Drzhivago138@reddit

16th, since 2011 was year #1 for this model. Sales are still fairly strong, 59K last year compared to 69K in its best years.
View on Reddit #71734762

Carvair-98@reddit

Ironically, for how old it is, it's about the only thing that has kept Dodge going for the last two years. The electric Charger has been a complete dud, as both something that fundamentally does not appeal to the consumer that wants a Dodge Challenger, and isn't exactly the most compelling EV in general (especially with its reliability issues). And then you have the Hornet, which I imagine would be the biggest punching bag of the car industry, if only anyone knew it actually existed. Another uncompelling package which has just sold terribly, and now may be dead for good because of a combination of the low sales and tariffs. Like, this thing genuinely may do worse than the St. Regis. And at least that car is remembered fondly via T.J. Hooker DVD boxsets. So yeah, they're just going to keep the Durango going, and to be honest, I felt going exclusively to the Hemi was a bit of a silly move. I know they're trying to show that Dodge is back by flaunting it and the upcoming gas (V6) Challenger for all they're worth. But we know this was also a move to increase profit margin by putting forth the more expensive Durango as the only option. However, when consumers don't have much cash to play with, and in the last few years offering expensive Dodge's has worked very little...bringing back the V6 was the smart play here. Me personally, and same with Chrysler and Fiat in the USA, I want to know if there's really anything else in the pipeline in terms of new models. Like, if demand for the Durango drops heavily, or gas ever goes up like $2, I think Dodge is dead. Unless somehow the gas Charger wins people back. With how little activity goes on with them, I feel like Stellantis is just hoping they die off so they can just focus on Jeep, RAM, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati here. Like, you could give Dodge the Chrysler Voyager and bring back the Caravan as the budget van offering, and yet you give the budget van offering...back to Chrysler? That doesn't make sense. And there hasn't been any plans to bring back the 300, even though I imagine that might be far easier than just coming up with concepts I don't think even they believe will ever amount to anything. Hell, the Grizzly Peak Pacifica concept...that would make sense...as a Dodge! What are y'all doing???
View on Reddit #71736095

SophistXIII@reddit

>Hornet, which I imagine would be the biggest punching bag of the car industry Honda Prelude: am I a joke to you? /s But really, Dodge died a long time ago when the spun out Ram. If anything they should be pumping out basic, cheap cars like Journeys, Caravans, Durangos and...something less worse than the Hornet. I think there is a demand for cheap, basic transportation with a warranty. And with H/K moving up market (go look at the pricing of the new Tellurides/Palisades), I think there is a gap at the low end of the market for basic vehicles that can haul around a family. And yeah, they won't be Toyota reliable, but any 15 year old platform should have most major bugs worked out, and when they do go wrong, they'll be cheap to fix.
View on Reddit #71747200

shreddedsharpcheddar@reddit

LOL "dodge died a long time ago," have you even seen the sheer amount of dodges on the road? dont make ignorant catch-all statements
View on Reddit #71775948

SophistXIII@reddit

This is really funny because these sorts of things are easily verifiable with a quick Google search. Dodge sold 595k vehicles in the US in 2014 (post 2009 Ram spin out) and only sold 142k vehicles last year. [They've had a clear sales decline for the past decade.](https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/dodge-us-sales-figures/) Now who's ignorant?
View on Reddit #71785640

shreddedsharpcheddar@reddit

you LITERALLY just linked something saying that dodge still sold 142 THOUSAND CARS in the SAME YEAR THAT THEY KILLED OFF ALMOST ALL OF THEIR MODEL LINES "who's ignorant now? chud!!!!" LMFAOOOOOOO RETARD
View on Reddit #71787111

DaOne_44@reddit

We need to get you off X
View on Reddit #71883651

F0rbiddenD0nut@reddit

Hyundai and Kia may have moved upmarket in some aspects but they still offer some very cheap and barebones vehicles that fill the role you mentioned. And somehow those two have a better brand reputation currently than Dodge. Dodge and Chrysler tried this with the Dart/200 and both those cars failed pretty miserably and are known as massive pieces of crap. I don't know why they gave up on the Journey, though, that thing seemed to sell like hotcakes even though it was massively outdated.
View on Reddit #71747816

Latter-Vacation-4392@reddit

Every second car is a H or a K where I live. Walking through Walmart pky lot this morning I saw what I thought was a good looking car and didn't know what it was until I got closer and saw Seltos (which sounds like an antacid tablet you buy at the store)...started looking more closely at all the cars and was really surprised at how many were H or K.
View on Reddit #71779618

TisABummer@reddit

Well, when you make the absolute best cars on the road and they’re cheaper than all the competition…
View on Reddit #71798123

Latter-Vacation-4392@reddit

I don't much about cars but had heard that H/K have lots of engine problems compared to Honda or Toyota apparently.
View on Reddit #71812400

hi_im_bored13@reddit

> go look at the pricing of the new Tellurides/Palisades a 2008 hyundai veracruz was 27k starting, the current palisade starts at 39, so slightly cheaper accounting for inflation they top out higher, but its no pricier to get into that segment from hyundai than it was 15 years back
View on Reddit #71771493

Latter-Vacation-4392@reddit

They could do a lot with the 300 if they just had a little imagination.
View on Reddit #71779160

Slideways@reddit

> I know they're trying to show that Dodge is back by flaunting it and the upcoming gas (V6) Challenger for all they're worth. There is no Challenger; it's an inline-six Charger.
View on Reddit #71770469

Carvair-98@reddit

Oh goddamit. Yeah, you're right, they're bringing back the Charger as a 4-Door next year, to accompany the 2-Door...Charger. Man, anything to not give Dodge an inch. I know it may be a small difference, but what was wrong with Charger = 4Door, and Challenger = 2 Door. Boom, easy, everyone is on the same page there. I know, it's probably simpler to market it this way...but what are they so encumbered by? You guys sell the Durango, and park Hornet's. I don't think one more nameplate is a big ask. I know yes, the Charger was a 2-Door Vehicle in the past...but it didn't seem like any minded that particularly much, and given how you turned these cars in EV's it doesn't seem like sticking to the roots is much of a worry. (to clarify, I personally don't mind EV's. but as someone who shares the road with drivers of these two models...we all knew that shit wasn't gonna sell).
View on Reddit #71775152

TheCreepeerster@reddit

Design-wise, the old Charger and Challenger were very different externally, while the 2-door and 4-door Chargers are largely identical. With that approach it didn't make sense to keep the two names.
View on Reddit #71779054

C-C-X-V-I@reddit

Don't forget the journey was a huge seller for uber drivers. Also that it had a 4 speed automatic from the factory until it was discontinued
View on Reddit #71753122

henchman171@reddit

Those journeys were popular in Canada. I thinks they were still using Sebring platforms on those. They ended this year?
View on Reddit #71749899

Rabo_McDongleberry@reddit

That's crazy to be since I basically almost see none on the road now. Wtf
View on Reddit #71754642

CorrectCombination11@reddit

I guess all the folks that wanted an old, new car (prev gen 4runner buyers) should look at these? /s
View on Reddit #71751086

Unlucky_Reception_30@reddit

It literally has everything those folks ask for. Physical buttons, infotainment is normal sized and in the dash, actual shifter for the auto, manual e-brake, an n/a V8. Best of all, parts are plentiful and cheap so it'll be easy to keep on the road.
View on Reddit #71755294

Alone_Peace371@reddit

Stopped reading two words in
View on Reddit #71847983

ggouge@reddit

I was surprised they still made a Durango at all
View on Reddit #71824967

coffeeshopslut@reddit

This is why I'm surprised when I hear that RAM will be doing a BOF SUV - maybe redo the one you have running nearly two decades first?
View on Reddit #71776806

audi27tt@reddit

It’s a great looking SUV imo, esp in the higher trims
View on Reddit #71763744

Hank-the-ninja@reddit

They really need to just say screw it and turn it into a Ramcharger successor. The real Ramcharger.
View on Reddit #71756778

phxbimmer@reddit

I mean, the Challenger was around for 15 years, and the Charger was around for 17 years… reusing an old platform for a very long time is kinda their whole strategy, given how terribly all their other vehicles have sold.
View on Reddit #71739728

RunnerLuke357@reddit

I wonder what will happen to Stellantis US division when the Pentastar and Hemi motors are too outdated to reasonably sell. I think they'll be done for because the last thing they will do is design an actual good fucking motor.
View on Reddit #71790977

mustangfan12@reddit

They got a lot of backlash for removing the V8. While the hurricane engine seems pretty good their fan base still wants the V8 even though its inferior
View on Reddit #71881238

jawknee530i@reddit

Isn't the hurricane a good motor?
View on Reddit #71808445

Time-Culture8370@reddit

People celebrate when automakers bring some old antique that was never much good in the first place. The US is becoming more South American every day.
View on Reddit #71876638

rational_overthinker@reddit

for every 15,000 Durangos I see one Hornet For every one Hornet I see Zero and I mean ZERO new Chargers I live in Los Angeles and have seen more Pagani Zondas than either of them I'm even starting to see more new Nissan Z's but thats another topic
View on Reddit #71745584

DetroitLionsEh@reddit

I see a tons of new charges. In 2 door and 4 door. But you can tell by my user name why
View on Reddit #71752298

jawknee530i@reddit

I'm in Chicago and my buddy who grew up in some Detroit suburb with a dad who worked at dodge all his life got a Hornet last year. Dude is a trader making absolute bank and chose that thing because he's also the absolute cheapest motherfucker I've ever met in my life.
View on Reddit #71808388

troodon5@reddit

Are the deals that good omg
View on Reddit #71859503

_jagwaz@reddit

I've seen the same amount of Chevy Bright Drop EV vans and Hornets
View on Reddit #71771929

trail-g62Bim@reddit

If you factor in the # that they manufactured, I wonder if this generation of the Hornet is the biggest flop ever. Gotta be in the running.
View on Reddit #71754484

DetroitLionsEh@reddit

Has to be up there eh. My dad cross shopped one when I was with him and it was pretty mediocre compared to other brand’s crossovers
View on Reddit #71755767

boomerbill69@reddit

I see a surprising amount of Hornets in NorCal but I'm 99% sure they're all rentals. I have seen one Charger - more than Zondas on the road but that does equal the number of Huayras I have seen on the road.
View on Reddit #71768757

InsuranceDerpfense@reddit

I’ve seen three new Chargers. When it’s decked out with the high trim and larger wheels it’s a sharp car
View on Reddit #71759301

phdiesel_@reddit

I see a new Charger multiple times a day. Mostly because I’m driving it. That said, I’ve seen two outside of my own since they came out.
View on Reddit #71754684

snail_forest1@reddit

when the v6 and v8 are no longer available then dodge will die completely. it's fan base is so brain dead that if it not got a "honkin hooter" of whatever they say is under the hood, they will not buy it.
View on Reddit #71762607

SnikySquirrel@reddit

Why is it brain dead to want a V6 or V8?
View on Reddit #71767164

snail_forest1@reddit

it's not, it's braindead to form a protest because some company's new car is about to rumble and be loud. Dodge cannot do anything other than V8's or the fan base cries. the V6 only gets a pass cause many Dodge fans are too poor and love Cope-Soup
View on Reddit #71767871

No-Pipe4332@reddit

Bro u drive a MINI 🤣🤢🤮 Quite literally the most unreliable, ugly piece of shit on the road. Literally one of THE WORST CARS TO EVER BUY IS A MINI!!
View on Reddit #71843931

snail_forest1@reddit

bro i drive a f56, literally has been more reliable than my previous civic si. and it looks so good, my cars get so many conversations with women. they all want a ride.
View on Reddit #71853153

No-Pipe4332@reddit

lol it’s not a flex that women like your car more than you..
View on Reddit #71853436

Unlucky_Reception_30@reddit

After driving the Wagoneer and experiencing the smoothness of the Hurrican 6, it makes me hate the pentastar even more.
View on Reddit #71755395

1nconspicious@reddit

The pentastar will outlast the Hurrican i6. It doesn't have 2 turbos to worry about failing.
View on Reddit #71760001

bakedvoltage@reddit

it’s 2025 gramps, turbo engines are reliable now. Doesn’t help that your comparison is the pentastar, which is equally anemic and unreliable.
View on Reddit #71763184

1nconspicious@reddit

Look at Toyota's twin turbo V6, those are grenading left and right. Yeah the Pentastar V6 isnt the most realiable thing out there, but compaired to the Hurricane, it's lifespan is alot longer.
View on Reddit #71763645

Unlucky_Reception_30@reddit

Why does Jeep have pentastars grenading left and right? It doesn't make power and it doesn't have turbos and its still not guaranteed to make it to 100k So all things being equal in reliability, I'd prefer to have the power that the Hurricane offers. It also sounds awesome 👌
View on Reddit #71783780

Latter-Vacation-4392@reddit

If they'd put that turboed inline 6 in a facelifted 300 with a 6 speed standard ..I'll buy one.
View on Reddit #71780426

humjaba@reddit

They’re grenading because they tried to build them in America, where a bunch of lazy hicks with a “not my job” attitude left machining debris in the block. That has nothing to do with it being turbocharged.
View on Reddit #71766386

1nconspicious@reddit

The Japanese made engines are grenading as well, which I'll admit surprised me. GXs and LXs have engine recalls. Even the new engines being put in are having the same issue.
View on Reddit #71766929

CaliDude75@reddit

The Pentastar is actually a decent engine. Unless you absolutely have to have the “Blub, blub, blub” it’s a perfectly reasonable option.
View on Reddit #71766150

bmwkid@reddit

The rental companies are celebrating! Thousands more of these are going to end up on their lots
View on Reddit #71764685

Historical_Cable9719@reddit

Mpg, cost, insurance all matter. That was a boneheaded decision to remove the v6 option
View on Reddit #71754916

Unoriginal-@reddit

I pray I’m never in the same neighborhood as a *base* Durango owner
View on Reddit #71736135