The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat: Unleashing Unmatched Power in an SUV

In a market filled with high-performance SUVs, the question is often asked: what is the most powerful petrol-powered production SUV on the market? It’s not the Ferrari Purosangue, the Lamborghini Urus, or the Aston Martin DBX 707. Surprisingly, the answer is the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. This unassuming family SUV, based on the standard Durango, swaps the modest 3.6-liter V6 engine for a monster: the 6.2-liter V8 Hellcat engine, borrowed from the Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models. But, in this SUV form, it makes even more power—up to a stunning 719 PS. This beast is a certified nutcase, and here’s why it’s stealing the spotlight from its European rivals.

Raw Power and Performance

The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat isn’t just fast for an SUV—it’s absurdly fast. Capable of 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and running the quarter-mile in around 12 seconds, this is a family car with supercar-like acceleration. The sound it produces is equally ridiculous, especially for those who love the whine of a supercharger. If you’re a fan of noise, this SUV won’t disappoint.

How Does It Stack Up?

While slightly less powerful than rivals like the DBX 707 and Ferrari Purosangue, those cars don’t offer the same value for money as the Durango SRT Hellcat. At a price point of under $100,000 USD, the Durango is an absolute bargain compared to its British and Italian competitors. The Aston Martin DBX 707 can cost over double, and the Ferrari Purosangue can set you back at least three times as much. While those SUVs may be marginally quicker, the Durango offers unbeatable bang for the buck.

A Practical Family SUV… with a Wild Side

Let’s not forget that underneath the monstrous performance, this is still a family SUV. The Durango is designed for practicality and everyday driving—until you stomp on the accelerator, that is.

A Comfortable Ride (Most of the Time)

Despite its insane power, the Durango SRT Hellcat can transform into a surprisingly calm and peaceful cruiser when in Auto mode. It feels like a big, friendly, dumb lunatic: one minute it’s a docile family car, and the next, it’s foaming at the mouth. Ideal for long stretches of highway or straight roads in the backwoods, the Durango excels in areas where you don’t need to test its handling prowess.

A Challenge Around Corners

Weighing in at a hefty 2.5 tons, this isn’t a car for tight corners. The Lamborghini Urus weighs around 2.1 tons, and the Ferrari Purosangue clocks in at 2 tons, so the Durango is significantly heavier than most of its high-performance rivals. However, it still manages to surprise with its composed handling.

Dodge has installed what’s called a helper spring, a secondary spring inside the damper that helps maintain comfort and stiffens the car up in bends. While there’s some body roll, it’s not as much as you might expect from a car this size. The Pirelli P Zero tires (295-section front and rear) do an impressive job, but as the tires heat up, understeer can become a noticeable issue. The Durango isn’t immune to the laws of physics, but it holds its own.

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Violent Acceleration and Handling

There’s something addictive about the Durango’s violent acceleration. Launch control is a must-try—simply hold the brake, press the accelerator, and you’re off. When it comes to cornering, though, you need to keep your wits about you. As you sit high up in the car, it can feel unnatural taking tight bends at high speeds. The Durango feels like you’re driving a block of flats, with things coming at you very quickly. Despite this, it handles with a surprising amount of grip and humor.

In Track mode, the suspension stiffens up significantly, and you can feel every bump on the road. On a racetrack, this can be a disadvantage, as the car fights against the forces of nature, but it still manages to put up a decent performance. The key is not to be too greedy—take the apex carefully, don’t carry too much speed into the corners, and let the car’s massive power guide you on the way out.

Brakes and Gearbox: The Achilles’ Heel

With all that power, you’d expect the brakes to be up to the task. Unfortunately, the steel brakes on the Durango SRT Hellcat are a weak point. Unlike rivals equipped with carbon-ceramic brakes, the Durango’s brakes tend to heat up quickly, and the pedal can go soft, reducing effectiveness. It’s crucial to manage your braking carefully, gradually slowing down as you approach corners rather than slamming on the pedal.

The 8-speed automatic gearbox is another area that doesn’t quite match the performance of other super SUVs. In manual mode, the paddles behind the steering wheel can feel a bit slow, with about a half-second delay between shifting and actually getting the gear you want. It’s still satisfying when you time it right, but there are definitely faster gearboxes out there.

Practicality and Interior Comfort

For all its power, the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat remains a highly practical family SUV. The exterior may be relatively subdued, but inside, the Durango offers a spacious and well-appointed cabin.

Interior Space and Seating

As standard, the Durango SRT Hellcat comes with six seats (2x2x2 configuration), but if you have a large family, you can replace the middle row with a bench seat, giving you up to seven seats. The third row of seats is surprisingly roomy and can accommodate adults, unlike many other seven-seater SUVs.

The Durango also excels in terms of cargo space. With all seats up, you get 500 liters of space. Fold down the third row, and that expands to 1,200 liters. With both the second and third rows folded flat, you get a massive 2,400 liters—perfect for road trips and family vacations.

Tech Features

Technology-wise, the Durango doesn’t disappoint. You get a 10-inch display with Apple CarPlay, a 19-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, and a wireless phone charger. There are USB ports of every variety, including Type-C and Type-A, and there’s even a three-pin plug so the kids can charge their devices in the back.

One drawback is the lack of a 360-degree camera, which makes reversing and parking tricky, especially given the Durango’s size. Fortunately, there’s a clever feature that lets you fold the rear headrests down for better visibility—or to give your kids a playful “bop” on the head if they’re misbehaving.

A Family SUV with Muscle Car Attitude

Let’s be real: the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is more of a family car than a track car. But that doesn’t make it any less fun. With 719 PS under the hood, you have access to an insane amount of power and noise. It’s addictive, exhilarating, and downright ridiculous—and that’s exactly why it makes sense. It may not be as refined or dynamically capable as a Lamborghini Urus or Ferrari Purosangue, but it has a massive personality and a much lower price tag, making it an appealing alternative to its European counterparts.

Table: Key Specifications of the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat

FAQs

1. How fast is the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat?
   The Durango SRT Hellcat can go from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in around 12 seconds.
2. How much does the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat cost?
   The starting price is under $100,000 USD, making it much more affordable than rivals like the Ferrari Purosangue and Lamborghini Urus.
3. What kind of engine does the Durango SRT Hellcat have?
   It has a 6.2-liter V8 Hellcat engine, producing 719 PS.
4. How many seats does the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat have?
   It comes standard with six seats, but can be configured to seat seven with an optional bench seat in the middle row.
5. Can the Durango SRT Hellcat be used for towing?
   Yes, it can tow up to 4 tons, which is more than the