Timing is everything.
I recently tested out the Dodge Charger and felt a rush of excitement as the vehicle surged forward on the road. The very next week, I was sitting in a Dodge Durango R/T 392 and felt that same surge—except this time, I had five people with me in the cab.
The fact that this is a three-row hauler is impressive given the engine specs. It delivers 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, propelling a massive 5,300-pound SUV from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 4.4 seconds with a deep, unmistakable V8 rumble.
I felt it in my bones.
I also recognized it.
I drive an older BMW 3 Series with an inline-6 that is a bit of a throwback itself, although nowhere near as fast or roomy. The fact that this monster also has an 8,700-pound towing capacity is astounding. Thanks to all that low-end, naturally aspirated torque and a heavy-duty cooling package, it matches or exceeds the towing capacity of many full-size, body-on-frame trucks and SUVs.
The Durango also supports launch control mode, allows you to set custom shift points for the 8-speed TorqueFlite transmission, and lets you track and save performance testing results. Oh, and you can drive it to Walmart and grab groceries with the kids. That might be the biggest bonus of all: a fast, athletic vehicle with enough real-world space for a family.
Another major perk? Massive Brembo brakes (6-piston front calipers) and a performance-tuned active all-wheel-drive system help keep all four tires planted, whether you’re launching from a stoplight or pulling a heavy trailer up a steep grade.
What I remember most about driving the Durango R/T 392 is that sudden launch from a standstill. It feels like you are sitting inside a sports car disguised as an SUV. There’s a rush of excitement and adrenaline as you hear the engine roar and feel the tires bite into the pavement.
On one quiet country road near my house, I floored it and was surprised by just how “sticky” the tires feel, even with this kind of massive size and weight. “Let me try that again” became a common refrain.
I don’t think I ever quite hit that 4.4-second mark, but that’s strictly driver error. I wasn’t on a closed track, after all—I was simply seeing what happens when you pull up to a stop sign and let her rip.
The real fun is in the sensory experience: hearing the engine, the exhaust note, the tires grabbing, and the yelps from passengers who had never been in a vehicle that can move this fast out of the starting blocks.
Yes, I’m already eager to try it again—and maybe even clock a faster 0–60 time. We’ll see.