2025 Dodge Durango Configurations: Trims, Engines, and Options Explained

The 2025 Dodge Durango is one of the few remaining three-row body-on-frame SUVs in the mainstream market — a segment that has otherwise largely shifted to unibody crossovers. Understanding how the Durango is configured helps buyers sort through what's actually different between trim levels versus what's just a package add-on.

How the Durango Trim Structure Works

Dodge organizes the Durango into a ladder of trims, each building on the one below it. For 2025, the lineup runs from entry-level to high-performance, with the core trims being:

Dodge has also offered special editions and limited-run variants at different points in the Durango's cycle. Whether any appear for 2025 specifically depends on production decisions made close to the model year.

The Two Engine Options 🔧

Engine choice is one of the most consequential decisions in the Durango lineup, and it's tied directly to trim level.

3.6L Pentastar V6 — This is the standard engine on SXT, GT, and Citadel trims. It produces around 293 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It handles everyday driving and towing loads up to approximately 6,200 pounds, though exact ratings depend on configuration.

5.7L HEMI V8 — Available on the R/T and standard on the SRT 392 (which uses a larger 6.4L version), the V8 adds meaningful towing capacity — up to roughly 8,700 pounds in properly equipped configurations — along with noticeably different throttle feel and exhaust character. The HEMI V8 is also available as an upgrade option on some upper trims.

6.4L HEMI V8 — The SRT 392 trim uses this engine, rated around 475 horsepower. It's the highest-output naturally aspirated option in the lineup and uses a different suspension and brake tune compared to other trims.

Fuel economy differs meaningfully between the V6 and V8. The V6 typically returns EPA estimates in the low-to-mid 20s on the highway; the V8 trims generally fall into the high teens to low 20s. Actual results vary based on driving conditions, load, and drivetrain.

AWD vs. RWD: What's Standard and What's Optional

Most Durango trims offer a choice between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). RWD is typically the base configuration; AWD is an option that adds to the purchase price.

The SRT 392 comes standard with AWD and includes a specific Bilstein suspension setup not found on other trims.

AWD on the Durango uses an on-demand system — it primarily runs in rear-wheel drive and engages the front axle automatically when slip is detected. This differs from a part-time 4WD system with a transfer case, which the Durango does not use.

What Actually Changes Between Trims

Beyond the engine and drivetrain, here's what shifts as you move up the lineup:

• SXT: Cloth seating, three-row seating for up to seven, basic infotainment, steel wheels optional
• GT: Upgraded interior materials, larger touchscreen, sport-tuned suspension on some configurations
• Citadel: Leather seating, ventilated front seats, semi-aniline leather available, panoramic sunroof, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) bundled more completely
• R/T: V8 standard, sport-tuned suspension, red brake calipers, specific badging and exterior styling cues
• SRT 392: Performance Brembo brakes, adaptive damping suspension, launch control, SRT-specific instrument cluster and drive modes

Towing capacity also varies by trim, engine, and whether the optional tow package is added. A base V6 RWD Durango without the tow package will have a lower rating than a V8 AWD model with the package installed.

Packages and Options That Cut Across Trims

Several packages appear across multiple trim levels and meaningfully affect both capability and price:

• Tow N Go Package: Upgrades towing capacity, adds transmission and cooling upgrades
• Captain's Chairs Package: Replaces the second-row bench with bucket seats, reducing capacity from seven to six passengers
• Technology Group / Safety Group: Bundles adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and other ADAS features — availability varies by trim
• Sunroof/Panoramic options: Available on select trims, not universal

The Variables That Shape Your Actual Choice 🚗

The Durango lineup looks straightforward on paper, but the right configuration for any individual buyer depends on several overlapping factors:

• Towing needs — whether you need 5,000 or 8,700 pounds of capacity changes which engine and package make sense
• Passenger count — the bench vs. captain's chairs decision affects how many people fit
• Fuel costs — V6 and V8 efficiency differences compound over time depending on annual mileage
• Climate and terrain — AWD adds value in certain regions and conditions; in others it's mostly added weight and cost
• Insurance rates — higher-performance trims like the SRT 392 typically carry higher premiums, which vary by state, driver history, and insurer
• State taxes and fees — many states calculate registration and sales tax based on MSRP or vehicle weight, so trim choice can affect total ownership cost at the transaction

The gap between knowing how the Durango lineup is structured and knowing which configuration fits your needs comes down to those specifics — what you're hauling, where you're driving, and what the numbers look like in your state and situation.