Are Dodge Durangos Good On Gas? | MPG By Engine Choice

Yes, Dodge Durangos with the V6 get mid-20s mpg, while V8 versions burn more gas but deliver much stronger towing and straight-line performance.

Gas Mileage At A Glance For Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango sits in a curious spot. It is a three row SUV with serious towing muscle, yet it still aims for usable gas mileage as a daily family hauler. Shoppers often ask whether this big Dodge is a gas guzzler or just average for its size.

Quick view: V6 Durango models land around 21 mpg combined, which lines up with many rival V6 crossovers, while the HEMI V8 and Hellcat trims drink far more fuel in trade for power and sound. With a tank near twenty five gallons, that difference shows up as shorter range between fill ups on thirsty trims.

That mix makes the answer to this gas mileage question a little nuanced. If you want school run duty, light towing and highway road trips, the V6 is reasonable. If you pick a V8 Durango for the way it feels, you accept frequent fuel stops as part of the deal.

Dodge Durango Gas Mileage By Engine And Drivetrain

Quick check: Before judging gas use, you need to separate V6, 5.7 HEMI, 6.4 SRT and supercharged Hellcat versions. Each engine has different EPA ratings and owners see different real world results.

Recent EPA estimates show V6 Durango models around 18 to 19 mpg city and 25 to 26 mpg highway when new, with combined ratings near 21 mpg. V8 versions drop closer to 13 to 17 mpg combined depending on whether you pick the 5.7 HEMI, 6.4 SRT or 6.2 supercharged engine. Newer model years that move toward V8 only lineups keep that pattern, so anyone buying fresh off the lot should plan fuel costs with those ratings in mind.

Engine & Trim Range	Drivetrain	EPA MPG (city / highway / combined)
3.6L Pentastar V6 (SXT, GT, Citadel)	RWD or AWD	18–19 / 25–26 / ~21
5.7L HEMI V8 (R/T and similar)	RWD or AWD	14 / 22 / ~17
6.4L SRT V8 & 6.2L Hellcat V8	AWD	12–13 / 17–19 / 13–15

Those numbers place the V6 Durango close to other three row SUVs with similar engines. The V8 trims, especially the SRT and Hellcat versions, sit near the thirsty end of the class, which will matter if you drive many city miles or rack up long commutes.

Older Durangos with the eight speed automatic transmission show similar patterns. Owners who track fuel use often report high teens to low twenties in daily driving with a V6, while V8 owners often live in the mid teens unless most miles are steady highway cruising.

How Dodge Durango Fuel Use Compares To Other Suvs

Quick view: The fair comparison is not with compact crossovers but with other three row models that can tow and haul. Against those rivals, V6 Durango gas mileage lands in the middle of the pack. When you read window stickers side by side, the Dodge often gives up a mile or two while returning extra tow headroom.

A V6 Toyota Highlander, Chevy Traverse, Jeep Grand Cherokee L and Ford Explorer all post combined ratings in the low to mid twenties. The Durango V6 roughly matches that group, usually only a mile or two per gallon behind the frugal entries, while still offering stout towing for boats and campers.

Where Dodge Durango gas mileage looks weak is against lighter two row crossovers with four cylinder engines. A Honda CR V or Toyota RAV4 can clear 28 to 30 mpg combined, but those vehicles do not match the Durango on space or tow rating, so they serve a different use case.

The 5.7 HEMI, SRT 392 and Hellcat versions have no real match in the mainstream segment. Few other family SUVs blend three row seating, big tow ratings and that level of V8 punch, so you pay at the pump for that blend of traits.

Real World Factors That Change Dodge Durango Mpg

Quick check: Official ratings assume gentle driving on test cycles. Real life gives different results, especially with a heavy SUV that can carry seven people and a load of gear.

Drivers report that short trips, winter weather and lots of idling pull V6 Durango fuel use into the mid teens. Long highway runs at steady speeds often raise displayed averages into the low or even mid twenties, especially with cruise control set near the speed limit.

Wheel and tire choices also matter. Larger wheels with wide, aggressive tires add weight and rolling resistance. That can trim a mile or two per gallon compared with smaller, lighter wheels with touring tires at the correct pressure.

Towing has an obvious effect. Pulling a camper, boat or enclosed trailer with a V6 Durango can drop fuel use into the low teens or even single digits on grades. The V8 engines handle heavy loads with less strain, yet they also see big drops when you push speeds on the highway.

Finally, driving style shapes gas bills. Smooth starts, early upshifts and measured braking help the eight speed transmission keep revs low. Hard launches, frequent passing and late braking send consumption in the wrong direction, especially in sport modes. Using softer throttle maps and eco style settings where available helps the transmission settle into higher gears sooner.

Ways To Save Fuel In A Dodge Durango

Quick wins: You cannot turn a Durango into an economy car, though you can trim fuel bills with a few steady habits and maintenance steps.

Try these tweaks if you want better gas mileage from a Dodge Durango you already own. Small gains from each habit stack across months, which means fewer surprise fill ups during busy weeks.

• Plan smoother routes — Pick routes with fewer lights and steep hills so you coast more and stop less.
• Use cruise control — Set a steady speed on open roads to avoid constant small throttle changes.
• Lighten the load — Remove unused roof racks, cargo boxes and heavy gear that ride around each day.
• Watch tire pressure — Check pressures monthly; underinflated tires waste energy and wear faster.
• Service on time — Fresh oil, clean air filters and healthy spark plugs help the engine burn fuel cleanly.

Deeper fix: If you have not bought yet and gas use matters, lean toward a V6 Durango with rear wheel drive. That setup carries the best EPA ratings in the lineup while still towing enough for many family trailers.

Owners who tow heavy or value SRT performance may stick with a V8 but keep a lighter touch around town. Choosing highway friendly gears, keeping speeds near posted limits and avoiding long warm ups in the driveway all help tame the fuel bill.

Who A Dodge Durango Suits If Gas Costs Matter

Quick view: Gas mileage never tells the whole story. The right question is whether the overall package makes sense for your household and driving pattern.

A Durango with the V6 suits families who need real three row space, regular towing and confident highway manners, yet still care about pump visits. That buyer pays a modest penalty compared with the most efficient rivals but gains a stout tow rating and familiar Dodge character.

Someone cross shopping compact crossovers and city runabouts will see the Dodge as thirsty. Frequent stop and go, tight parking and short errands rarely play to a Durango strength, and gas use shows that quickly.

Shoppers drawn to the R/T, SRT 392 or Hellcat trims usually place sound, speed and towing above fuel use. For those buyers, accepting 13 to 17 mpg combined becomes part of the purchase decision and that choice rarely comes as a surprise.

Ownership Costs Beyond Dodge Durango Fuel Economy

Quick check: Fuel is just one line on the budget. Insurance, maintenance, tires and depreciation all matter when you weigh whether a Durango fits your wallet. A simple spreadsheet or car cost calculator that spreads those bills across a year can reveal how close two vehicles sit in real cost.

Insurance quotes for a powerful three row SUV can land higher than for slower rivals, especially for fire breathing trims. In that situation, spreading that cost across a large family that can ride in one vehicle may still look reasonable compared with running two smaller cars.

Replacement tires, brakes and fluid services often cost more on a heavy SUV with big wheels than on a compact crossover. Planning for those expenses up front avoids surprises later and gives a more honest view of cost per mile.

Resale values for Durangos with clean histories and reasonable mileage tend to hold up, helped by demand for tow capable family haulers. V8 special trims with low miles can draw strong interest from fans, which can offset some of the fuel money spent during ownership.

Key Takeaways: Are Dodge Durangos Good On Gas?

➤ V6 Durangos land near class average for three row suv mpg.

➤ V8 and Hellcat trims use lots of fuel for extra power.

➤ Driving style and routes change mpg by several points.

➤ Towing or big wheels raise fuel use noticeably.

➤ Match engine choice to how often you drive and tow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The V6 Dodge Durango Good Enough For Towing?

The V6 Durango can tow up to around 6,200 pounds when set up correctly, which handles many pop up campers, small boats and utility trailers. That rating already exceeds what many crossovers with four cylinder engines can handle.

If you regularly pull near that upper limit, a 5.7 HEMI model offers more relaxed performance on long grades. For light, occasional towing, the V6 keeps fuel use and purchase price in a friendlier range.

How Many Mpg Do Owners Usually See With A V6 Durango?

Drivers who mix city and highway trips often report real world averages between 18 and 22 mpg with a V6 Durango. Long highway drives at steady speeds sometimes show numbers in the mid twenties on the trip computer.

Short hops, cold weather and heavy traffic pull that average down quickly. Watching tire pressure, avoiding hard launches and keeping the roof free of cargo boxes helps you stay near the better end of that range.

Does All Wheel Drive Hurt Dodge Durango Gas Mileage?

All wheel drive adds weight and extra driveline parts, which trims a small slice from fuel economy. V6 Durangos with AWD usually rate about one mpg lower in city and highway testing than rear wheel drive versions.

Many buyers accept that small drop for extra traction in rain and snow. If you live in a mild climate and seldom leave pavement, a rear wheel drive Durango saves fuel and money.

Is High Octane Fuel Required For V8 Dodge Durangos?

Most 5.7 HEMI Durangos are tuned to run on regular unleaded, though some owners prefer midgrade to prevent knock under heavy load. SRT and Hellcat versions generally call for higher octane due to compression and boost levels.

Using the recommended octane from the owner manual protects performance and durability. Running lower grades than suggested may force the engine computer to pull timing, which hurts both power and fuel economy.

Should I Avoid A Dodge Durango If I Have A Long Commute?

A long highway commute favors efficient four cylinder crossovers, yet a Durango can still work if you pick the right setup. A V6 model, driven gently with cruise control, can hold low twenties mpg on long freeway stretches.

If you rack up high mileage and rarely tow, total fuel spend will still exceed a compact crossover. Weigh the value of extra space, towing headroom and V8 options against that higher fuel bill before you decide.

Wrapping It Up – Are Dodge Durangos Good On Gas?

A fair answer to the question about Durango gas mileage depends on which version you choose and how you plan to drive. The V6 lineup offers middle of the road fuel economy with real three row space and solid tow ratings, which suits many family buyers and road trip fans. A long test drive on your usual commute can confirm whether the trip computer numbers feel acceptable for your budget.

Pick a 5.7 HEMI, SRT 392 or Hellcat, and fuel use climbs in exchange for power, sound and speed. If those traits matter more than pump visits, a thirsty Durango can still make sense. If gas bills sit at the top of your list, the V6 or a lighter crossover will treat you better.