On August 16, 2010, Dodge released an Internet site and teaser photos of the third generation of Dodge Durango. The new Durango is built alongside of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the Jefferson Ave. Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan. The new Durango shares not only the assembly line with the Grand Cherokee, but also the running gear, powertrains, and chassis parts. The new Durango features two engines. The base engine is a new 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 290 hp (220 kW; 290 PS) and 260 lb·ft (350 N·m) of torque at 4,800 rpm; 90% of peak torque is available from 1,600 to 6,400 rpm. The Pentastar V6 is attached to the Mercedes W5A580 five-speed automatic, with Chrysler's controls and the driver-interactive control. The 5.7 L Hemi VVT V8 returns with 360 hp (270 kW; 360 PS) and 390 lb·ft (530 N·m) of torque, which features the 545RFE 5-speed automatic. The HEMI V8 also comes with a "fuel-saver"(cylinder deactivation) mode. This feature is primarily used when the vehicle is cruising at constant speeds on level ground.
The wheelbase of the new Durango is longer than that of the Grand Cherokee. It features three rows of seating compared to the Grand Cherokee's two rows.
The 2011 Dodge Durango entered production on December 14, 2010,[19] alongside the second generation Charger in the 2011 vehicle lineup. It went on sale for general dealership availability in mid-January 2011.
2014 Durango with refreshed headlights and grille
Dodge unveiled its revised 2014 model year Durango at the 2013 New York Auto Show. It features sportier-looking lines, an 8-speed automatic transmission as well as a new design trim similar to the Rallye, with blackened plastic bumper and outline. It also features the LED 'Racetrack' tail lamps also found on the Charger and Dart. On the inside, it features a revised steering wheel and the reconfigurable 7 inch (780mm) Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display first seen on the Dart.
The 2015 Durango sees a new package that will be available for the R/T trim, consisting of a Premium Nappa Leather Group option featuring radar red leather seats, 0.8-inch-lower right height, black headlamp bezels, HID low beams and LED DRLS, R/T embroidery on the seats (optional), a nine-speaker sound system with a subwoofer, a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi paired with ZF’s ubiquitous eight-speed transmission, and a 20-inch Granite Crystal wheel finish decked out in black.
On June 5, 2012, Autoblog reported that Dodge is expected to discontinue the Durango, possibly due to Fiat Chrysler's plans to phase out Dodge's SUV lineup and shift it over to sister division Jeep as part of a realignment to have Dodge focus on cars and CUVs with Jeep concentrating exclusively on SUVs, and due to Jeep's plans to reintroduce the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, expected to be the Durango's successor, set for a targeted 2016 or 2017 launch (a reveal is slated for 2015). While the 2015 model year will be the final one under this generation despite having good sales, Dodge will retain the Durango brand with plans for a relaunching after Jeep's Grand Wagoneer's relaunch.
