Purchased 2011 Citadel at end of model year and found a great deal. Prior to driving this automobile, Dodge/Jeep were at the bottom of my wish list. The vehicle is loaded with options. I could not find anything even close in other large SUVs for the price. Great for family with kids and for parents not ready for a minivan. Plenty of room even for adults in the 2nd and 3rd row seating. Entertainment system is very worthwhile for people with children. Much more comfortable ride than similar large SUVs. Safety features are wonderful. Only downside is it is a bit slow in accellerating from a stop (V6 engine). Not so much of an issue between 50-70 mph. Handles very well in winter weather as well.…
A vehicle like no other.
By Gene 7001 | on Monday, July 12, 2021
5.0
We special ordered 2021 Durango RT with Tow N Go package because we needed extra capacity to pull our 30 feet travel trailer weighting around 6500 lb with a possibility to upgrade it eventually to a slightly heavier and better RV. Before Durango we owned 2011 Mercedes ML 350 which never let us down, although it was somewhat underpowered for the task, and at some point you just can't argue with age and mileage anymore. Going from Mercedes to Dodge may not make sense for some people but the Durango exceeded expectations. First of all, it impressed with truly luxurious ride, a unique combination of firmness and isolation from road imperfections in the same time, very little body roll, precise steering for a tall and heavy vehicle and secure sport car braking. This SRT suspension with Bilsteins can make magic!
With the trailer attached there is very little rear sag, the combination felt very secure and stable, with no sway, no interference from 18 wheelers, even with 25 mph winds or at 70+ mph. Going faster is possible but trailer tires would not like it and gas mileage will suffer badly.
Hemi with performance exhaust provides anything, from rumble to visceral scream, depending on accelerator pedal position, but gets virtually silent during steady cruise.
The vehicle came nicely equipped, with very soft leather, heated and cooled seats, real and easy to understand and use buttons, although you can use touchscreen if you want.
Cargo space is generous, accommodates lots of luggage and camping gear, given, that we have little or no chance to use the 3rd row.
We had no reliability problems so far. Oil change was needed at 5500 miles as per life counter, and the Durango received full synthetic one. Hemi can run hot under load and it does not like old or poor quality oil.
I could not appreciate any difference between regular and mid grade gas. Fuel economy is dismal in traffic or while idling, but on highway you can get lower 20th if you are easy with your gas pedal (you don't really want to be too easy with it).
Is Durango for everybody? No. If you need an SUV just to go to the shopping mall or carry kids around, get a Pallisade/Telluride or a new Mercedes or BMW, if you have some cash to spend. And don't worry about anything crazy.
But if you plan long road trips, towing camper or boat, like sport vehicle and driving,
Durango will not disappoint, especially with TNG package. Yes, there are Tahoes and Expeditions, but nothing will ride and handle like big and powerful unibody vehicle with performance components, while the benefits of full frame to towing capacity and performance are not evident, when compared with this Durango.
In the era when comfy suspensions, unisex styling and weight saving rule and 2 liter turbo motors are used for any application, Durango is a nice surprise. Get it while they are still legal!…
LOVE my Citadel
By Jody | on Tuesday, May 12, 2020
5.0
I had a much more expensive vehicle before—an Infiniti M37X. The Citadel is more comfortable to drive and as a passenger. I have a long list of things I didn’t like about the Infiniti—including the fact that purchased new, and babied by a little old lady, had complete engine failure at 40,000 miles. They wouldn’t honor the guarantee, saying it was abused, yet this Citadel has been SO dependable, it’s a quiet ride (unlike Infiniti) and SO versatile. I can flatten down the seats and haul whatever, or put a mattress in back for a resting passenger on long road trips. Love, love love this car, and I’ve had new company cars (mostly Cadillacs) for years. I added a little chrome to dress it up. Good field of vision when driving too.…
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