Two trim levels are available, while a host of packages consolidate popular options. A new value-priced Sport model joins the Durango line for 2000. Distinguished by special badging, it comes standard with a short list of popular options. SLT trim includes a long list of luxury amenities, starting with leather upholstery.
Now in its third model year, the Durango line has been expanded to include three V8 engines: a 5.9-liter V8, a 5.2-liter V8 and, new for 2000, a 4.7-liter V8. Last year's 3.9-liter V6 has been dropped from the lineup.
Dodge created its new 4.7-liter Magnum V8 from a clean sheet of paper. It's far more sophisticated than the other two available engines with a pair of single overhead camshafts (sohc) in place of the more traditional overhead-valve (ohv) design and produces its power more efficiently for its size. Rated at 235 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque, the 4.7-liter engine meets California's low emissions vehicle standards. It was designed and engineered in tandem with an innovative new four-speed automatic transmission that features two second-gear ratios. Engine and transmission talk to each other and choose the optimum ratio based on driver input and load conditions; in other words, it gives you quicker acceleration when you stomp on the throttle, better efficiency when you're taking it easy. This 4.7-liter engine is EPA-rated at 15/19 mpg on 2WD models.
A popular choice is the highly competent 5.2-liter V8, rated at 230 horsepower and 300 foot-pounds of torque. The 5.2-liter offers more power than the Explorer's optional 5.0-liter V8 or the Expedition's standard 4.6-liter V8, both of which generate 215 horsepower and about 290 foot-pounds of torque.
The big Dodge 5.9-liter Magnum V8 generates 245 horsepower and 335 foot-pounds of torque. That's a bit more robust than the Expedition's optional 5.4-liter V8 (230 horsepower, 325 pound-feet of torque) and compares favorably to the Tahoe's 5.7-liter V8 (255 horsepower, and 330 pound-feet of torque). The Durango should make a better tow vehicle than an Explorer. With the 5.9-liter engine and 3.92 differential, it's capable of pulling a trailer of up to 7,200 pounds. Chevy's Tahoe is rated to pull 7,000 pounds and Ford's Expedition is rated for 8,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the 5.9-liter Dodge V8 is rated at 12/17-mpg city/highway verses 14/19 for the 5.2-liter Dodge V8, and adds $595 to the price.
Two-wheel-drive versions were added for 1999. Four-wheel-drive versions offer a choice of two different transfer cases, a traditional part-time system for serious outdoors people and a full-time system that's better for road use in changing weather conditions. Both transfer cases use a manually operated shift-on-the-fly lever mounted on the floor.