2011 Dodge Durango Citadel Review: Where’s the Muscle?

It’s nice to see new products rolling into Chrysler dealerships as the iconic American giant has been on the mat for too long. It is also nice to see the return of one of the company’s most popular offerings, the Dodge Durango SUV.

Dodge redesigned the 2011 Durango in all the right ways

The first thing I noticed as I approached the 2011 Dodge Durango for the first time was how much better it looked than the previous version. The first-generation Durango looked rather rugged, and powerful, while the second-generation looked bloated, and far too much like a mini-van. 

The 2011 edition of the Durango is all-new, and its outward appearance looks decidedly upmarket, but with just a hint of aggression. The wide cross-hair grille, huge headlamps, and swollen hood should help the brand attract those buyers looking to stand out from the crowd of rather vanilla offerings from its many rivals.

2011 Durango Interior

The interior treatment on my test unit was very attractive, and the spacious cabin offered room for up to seven occupants. The quality of the leather seating, panel surfaces, dash and trim represents an enormous improvement for the Dodge brand. Mind you my vehicle was a fully loaded Citadel model, so comfort and convenience amenities and accessories were in abundance.

The truck-based ladder frame has been discarded in favour of a more modern uni-body platform that the Durango now shares with the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee. This has resulted in a very refined ride and more predictable handling. I found the ride experience to be very civilized and on par with that of many luxury cars, and the cabin seemed well insulated from wind, road and engine noise. In fact, the Durango seemed far too quiet for my liking, so it was time to investigate.

Power: not enough from the V6-powered Durango SUV

I was horrified at what I discovered. Popping the hood release I was surprised to see that the company’s rumbling Hemi V8 engine was MIA. Instead, the engine bay housed the company’s award-winning, 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 mated to a five-speed automatic. 

Yes, I did say five-speed. Sure the Pentastar still delivers a commendable 290 horsepower and 260lb-ft of torque, but it doesn’t feel like it when you step on the accelerator. Most would agree that those are healthy power ratings on paper, but on the road, Durango’s motivation was woefully anaemic.

I didn’t even feel confident enough in the power delivery to perform simple passing manoeuvres during my brief time with the vehicle.

So much so that if my regular routine required me to transport a full load of passengers on a regular basis I know that I wouldn’t be happy with the performance delivered by this set-up. I can’t even fathom using this combination to pull a trailer through the mountainous regions through which I tend to travel, even though corporate literature rates it for 2,812 kg (6,200 lb) and touts it as best-in-class for V6-powered vehicles in this category.

I realize that both the Pentastar V6 and the transmission have been engineered to maximize fuel efficiency, but for this application, the combination is really overmatched by the weight and size of the vehicle. Maybe I would be more open to the V6 if I lived in Saskatchewan, Canada – free of long climbs and mountain passes, but, in reality, I didn’t even feel confident enough in the power delivery to perform simple passing manoeuvres during my brief time with the vehicle.

2011 Dodge Durango trims and pricing

There are four models in the Durango line-up, and all feature active all-wheel-drive. An entry-level Durango can be had for $29,195 US or $37,995 CAD, whereas the Citadel starts at around $42,000 US and $49,995 CAD.

The Citadel package brings a lot to the party, including Nappa leather seating, HID headlights, 20-inch chrome alloy wheels, and a media centre which includes a Garmin-engineered navigation system.

The winter chill will be defeated by a heated steering wheel, while ventilated seating will keep your core cool during the summer months. Safety goodies include a blind spot monitoring system as well as adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning capabilities.

Takeaway: is the 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel worth buying and what are the known issues?

In short, there is a lot of value here, but my advice is to pony up the extra $2,000 for the Hemi upgrade, which apart from planting the sweet 5.7-litre V8 under the hood, also gets you a 6-speed transmission.

The extra fuel costs won’t break you in the long run, as the HEMI VVT V8 features the company’s advanced FuelSaver Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which alternates between four-cylinder mode when less power is required and full V8 performance when the engine is under load.

With 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque on tap, I suspect the hills would flatten and towing would be much less of a chore. Even more importantly my ears would tickle to the visceral growl generated by one of the smoothest V8 engines in the marketplace.

Used 2011 Durango problems and issues to be aware of

The 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel, like any vehicle, may experience certain issues or problems over time. It’s important to note that the severity and frequency of these problems can vary from one vehicle to another. Some common known problems or complaints reported by owners of the 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel include:

1. Transmission Issues: Some owners have reported transmission problems, such as rough shifting, slipping, or delayed gear engagement. These issues may require transmission repairs or replacements.
2. Electrical Problems: A few owners have experienced electrical issues, including problems with the infotainment system, dashboard lights, and power accessories.
3. Brake and Rotor Wear: Some drivers have reported premature brake and rotor wear, which may require more frequent brake maintenance.
4. Cooling System Issues: There have been reports of cooling system problems, such as radiator leaks or issues with the cooling fan.
5. Suspension and Steering Concerns: A small number of owners have mentioned issues related to the suspension and steering components, including noises or vibrations.
6. Fuel Economy: Some drivers have found that the fuel economy falls below their expectations, especially when using the larger V8 engine (but the V6 we reviewed here is on the more fuel-efficient side).
7. Quality Control: A few owners have reported concerns related to the overall build quality and material durability.

2011 Dodge Durango Citadel V6 Specs and Images

• Type: 4-door, 7-passenger full-size CUV
• Layout: Front engine/all-wheel drive
• Engine: 3.6-litre V6, DOHC, 24 valves or optional 5.7-litre V8, OHV, 16 valves
• Horsepower: 290 @ 6,400 rpm / 360 @ 5150 rpm (V8)
• Torque (lb-ft): 260 @ 4,800 rpm / 390 @ 4250 rpm (V8)
• Transmission: 5-speed automatic / 6-speed automatic (V8)
• Cargo capacity: 487 L (17.2 cu.ft.) – 2393 L (84.5 cu.ft.)
• Towing capacity: V6- 2812 kg (6200 lbs) / V8- 3266 kg (7200 lbs)
• Fuel consumption (L/100km): V6- City: 13.0 (22 mpg) / Hwy: 8.9 (32 mpg)
• V8- City: 16.6 (17 mpg) / Hwy: 10.1 (28 mpg)