Ranking 2025 Dodge Durango Trims by Performance Features for Summer Highway Driving

The 2025 Dodge Durango lineup delivers three distinct performance personalities, each engineered to excel in different driving scenarios. From the efficient V-6 power of the GT to the earth-shaking 710 horsepower of the SRT Hellcat, your choice depends on how you balance daily usability with summer highway thrills.

For families planning summer road trips through BC's mountain passes and coastal highways, performance capabilities directly impact your driving confidence and enjoyment. Here's how each Durango trim ranks for summer highway performance, considering power delivery, handling features, and the technology that enhances long-distance driving.

Third Place: GT - Efficient Performance Foundation

The Durango GT establishes the performance baseline with its V-6 engine and intelligent all-wheel drive system. This trim delivers capable highway performance while maintaining fuel efficiency for extended summer road trips. The GT provides standard features like heated front seats and steering wheel, plus the 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen that keeps your family connected during long drives.

Summer highway driving benefits from the GT's refined ride quality and spacious three-row seating with multiple configurations. The available captain's chairs create easy access to the third row, while the maximum cargo capacity handles vacation gear and recreational equipment. Standard Blind-spot Monitoring with Trailer Tow Detection prepares you for recreational vehicle towing.

The GT's performance focus centres on versatility rather than raw power. This approach works well for families who prioritize fuel efficiency and comfort over acceleration, especially during extended touring through BC's scenic highway networks where steady cruising matters more than passing power.

Second Place: R/T - HEMI V-8 Authority

The Durango R/T transforms highway driving with the legendary 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 engine that delivers authoritative power and the unmistakable HEMI exhaust note. Standard all-wheel drive provides confident traction for varying road conditions, while performance steering and suspension enhance handling precision on winding mountain roads.

Highway merging and passing manoeuvres become effortless with HEMI power, particularly valuable when navigating heavy summer traffic or climbing steep grades with loaded cargo. The R/T includes Alpine audio with nine speakers and subwoofer, creating an premium sound environment for summer road trips.

Performance features extend beyond the engine. The R/T adds performance-oriented elements like sport-tuned suspension and enhanced steering feel that transform routine highway driving into engaging experiences. The Uconnect 5 system includes wireless phone charging and wireless connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keeping technology needs handled seamlessly.

First Place: SRT Hellcat - Ultimate Highway Dominance

The Durango SRT Hellcat claims the performance crown with 710 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque from its supercharged HEMI V-8. This represents the most powerful gas engine SUV ever produced, delivering acceleration that transforms highway driving into an adrenaline experience while maintaining three-row SUV practicality.

Highway performance reaches new levels with features like configurable drive modes, performance pages that display vehicle dynamics, and advanced suspension systems. The SRT Hellcat includes luxury appointments like premium leather seating and advanced climate control that ensure comfort during high-performance summer driving.

The combination of massive power and sophisticated chassis engineering creates a highway driving experience unlike any other SUV. Whether accelerating onto highway onramps or confidently passing slower traffic, the SRT Hellcat delivers performance that makes every summer drive memorable while providing the cargo space and seating capacity your family requires.

BC Highway Performance Considerations

BC's diverse terrain demands different performance attributes. Mountain pass climbs favour the torque delivery of the HEMI V-8 engines in the R/T and SRT Hellcat trims, while coastal highway cruising benefits from all trims' refined ride quality and advanced technology features.

Summer driving conditions emphasize the importance of reliable air conditioning, comfortable seating, and entertainment systems for long-distance travel. All Durango trims include dual-zone automatic temperature control and heated front seats, while higher trims add ventilated seating and premium audio systems.

Towing capability becomes important for summer recreation. The Durango lineup delivers best-in-class maximum towing capacity up to 3,946 kg (8,700 pounds), with the R/T and SRT Hellcat providing the power needed for confident trailer towing through mountain terrain.

Experience Each Performance Level

These rankings reflect different approaches to highway performance, but the real differences become clear behind the wheel. Each trim delivers distinct power delivery, sound character, and driving dynamics that transform your summer highway experiences in unique ways.

Schedule time to experience each Durango trim's performance personality. From the GT's efficient capability to the SRT Hellcat's extreme power, discover which performance level elevates your summer driving adventures.