Derreck Howell

After a brief hiatus, Dodge resurrected the Durango moniker as a 2011 model, riding on the same Mercedes Benz M-class unit-body chassis as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with a few extra inches in length a third row of seats.

Outside, the Durango is a handsome SUV.  It wears the Ram-inspired front fascia in a more contemporary, and the projector headlamps and in-bumper foglamps give the face an agressive look. No mud flaps required either, as this is more for on-road use. Inside, the Durango’s look neat and updated, although Grand Cherokee inspired. Kudos to Dodge for the Durango’s safety features, which include a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross path detection, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and active head restraints.

Durango is available in 4 variants: Express, R/T, Crew and the range-topping Citadel.

The Express is Durango-speak for base model, but it packs on nifty standard features as standard fog lamps, automatic halogen headlamps, power external mirrors with defrost, chrome grille surround, keyless entry, air conditioning, and includes 18-inch wheels. The top of the line model is the Citadel (pictured above) adds High Intensity Discharge headlamps, a unique chrome texture for grille, rain-sensing wipers, 20-inch chrome wheels, Nappa leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio and phone controls, as well as a power tilt and telescoping steering column. What we would like to see added are power running boards.

After a year of hibernation, it’s good to see the Durango awake again in a tip top new form.  Perhaps no one missed the old one, but it’s metamorphosis is a sight for an automotive enthusiasts sore eyes.

The Dodge Durango starts at $29,195