2018 Dodge Durango Interior REVIEW
Every manufacturer uses a combination of materials that range from cheap to high quality, but some designs such as the Durango’s are better executed than others. Designers prioritized ergonomics, material quality, and overall comfort, but other rivals offer more second- and third-row passenger space.
What’s New for 2018?
A new sport steering wheel with paddle shifters is standard across the lineup for 2018, as is a new gearshift lever that replaces last year’s rotary-knob controller. Opt for the GT trim and you’ll be treated to leather- and suede-covered bucket seats.
2017 Dodge Durango
A set of gauges featuring red and white on a black background faces the driver. The font is playful without being illegible, and a standard 7.0-inch reconfigurable digital speedometer is front and center; it provides access to vehicle status, fuel economy, audio information, and navigation. The steering wheel features a thick, leather-wrapped rim and handsome metal-look trim. On our R/T test truck, paddle shifters mounted behind the wheel operated with a satisfying click.
While there are some cheaper-looking plastic interior panels, they are below the center console and on the lower portion of the doors, where they are barely visible. Richer soft-touch materials are used on the upper sections of the interior trim parts, where users interact with them and where they matter the most. Some of the gaps between the panels are wide, particularly between the door panels and dashboard, but at least they’re consistently wide so that the interior build quality appears uniform. Buttons and switches throughout the cabin are intuitive to use and feel pleasing to the touch.
Blind Spots, Visibility, and Obscured Roadway
From the driver’s seat, the commanding view of the road ahead is great, although wide A-pillars and the second-row headrests create a couple of blind spots. Large side windows and square-shaped side-view mirrors help to alleviate potential visibility issues.
The Durango offers 152 degrees of forward visibility and 114 degrees to the rear. The Toyota Highlander and the GMC Acadia both offer more forward visibility at 158 and 156 degrees, and the Highlander boasts a whopping 128 degrees rearward. Depending on your height, you may find one of these rivals easier to see out of, but the Durango is competitive in this metric if not exactly at the top of its class.
Roof pillars protect occupants in a rollover crash, but they also create blind spots. We determine visibility by measuring the location and width of each pillar using an H-Point Machine and a laser beam (surrogates for a driver and eyeball, respectively).
It’s clear that Dodge designers paid attention to ergonomics when designing the Durango’s cabin. Most controls are within easy reach of the driver; the seat and tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel offer sufficient range for most people to find a comfortable driving position. Our R/T test vehicle featured plush and supportive front seats wrapped in bold red leather, and there were power adjustments for the driver and front-seat passenger.