Dodge Durango named in 'Best Family Cars of 2012'

2012 Dodge Durango Earns Place on Edmunds.com and Parents Magazine's List of 'Best Family Cars of 2012'

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Edmunds.com and Parents magazine have selected the 2012 Dodge Durango among the "Best Family Cars of 2012." This marks the tenth industry award for the 2012 Dodge Durango including "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and "Full-Size SUV of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).

"We are honored that Edmunds.com and Parents have featured the Dodge Durango on this exclusive list," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. "Dodge is committed to providing quality products to our customers that are safe, innovative and family-friendly, while doing so with passionate styling that sets us apart."

For the fifth consecutive year, experts from both Parents and Edmunds.com scrutinized hundreds of vehicles focusing on safety and reliability as top priorities when deciding which cars would earn a spot on the "Best Family Cars" list. Each vehicle was also judged on performance, interior, exterior and family-friendly features. Organizers also consulted parents who own and drive these vehicles every day.

"Modern and functional, the 2012 Dodge Durango has been designed with style and family-style versatility in mind," said Scott Oldham, Edmunds.com editor-in-chief. "The seven-passenger Durango packs a high-quality interior, the latest high-tech gadgets, a fuel-efficient drivetrain and a fun to drive demeanor."

The Best Family Cars of 2012 feature appears in the July issue of Parents on newsstands June 12.

About Dodge Durango: Best-in Class Power, Towing and Driving Range
With its four-wheel independent suspension, near 50:50 weight distribution and responsive steering and handling, Durango has driving dynamics unlike what you typically find in a sport-utility vehicle (SUV). No other SUV on the road compares with the all-new Dodge Durango's distinctive bold Dodge design that craftily houses a spacious three-row, six or seven-passenger functional, flexible and premium interior, covered in soft-touch materials. Durango features more than 30 storage areas, 50 seating configurations and a rear cargo area of nearly 85 cubic feet that fits a 6-foot couch with room for a coffee table or a 10-foot ladder with the front passenger seat folded flat. New for 2012, Dodge is offering second-row captain's chairs on the Dodge Durango, making it even easier for kids to climb into the third row between the two seats. Between the captain's chairs is a floor-mounted console that can hold drinks and small objects. Customers can also opt for a larger center console that has more storage space and class-exclusive features, such as illuminated cup holders and a USB jack, as well as a 12-volt outlet for charging phones, video games and the like. The 2012 Dodge Durango is also an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick.

Durango also delivers the perfect blend of power and fuel efficiency. Its award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers a best-in-class 290 horsepower along with a best-in-class driving range of more than 550 miles on one tank of fuel – that means Durango owners could drive all the way from Chicago to Nashville; San Diego to San Francisco; or New York City to Boston and back again without needing to stop for fuel. The available HEMI® V-8 engine with Fuel Saver multi-displacement technology delivers a best-in-class 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines deliver best-in-class V-6 and V-8 towing with standard trailer sway control on all models (V-8 – up to 7,400 lbs. and V-6 – 6,200 lbs.). Durango also features more than 45 safety and security features. The starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for 2012 is $28,995 (all prices exclude destination).

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC  

I think this article is very much on target.  I drove both the Durango and Grand Cherokee before I bought my Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited a few months ago.  Though the Durango is smaller than the large wagons of the past, but considerably heavier, it is a good-sized option for the family with young kids/teenagers, or even a great commuter vehicle!  I personally like the Pentastar in my Jeep...excellent acceleration and very good fuel economy (minimum 18 in city).  The advantage of the Durango over the Grand Cherokee is that it has a slightly longer wheelbase, giving it better interior passenger floor space, though it pales compared to the truly full-sized vehicles with over 140" wheelbases that I remember.  And, because it is not as long as the older vehicles, the Durango fits in the garage easily, as did the Infiniti QX 56 I test drove.  By today's standards, this is a large vehicle, but not so large as to be unmanageable.  Good job, Chrysler...I love your 5 year/100K powertrain warranty.  Not as good as the previous one, but superior to Ford and Toyota.  
Retired USAF officer, enjoy testing new cars, providing results to local media writers.