The Dodge Durango’s six-trim lineup covers more ground than almost any SUV on the market - from a family-practical V6 at $40,000 to a 710-horsepower supercharged SUV north of $100,000. Picking the right trim means understanding what actually changes at each step, not just what looks different on the window sticker.
Bottom Line: Most Nassau County families land on the GT (value), Citadel (luxury), or R/T (performance) trims. The SXT is the starting point; the SRT 392 is a dedicated performance vehicle with different priorities entirely. Skip the trim that sounds good on paper and focus on what you’ll actually use.
- V6 available on SXT and GT; HEMI V8 starts at R/T
- Citadel is the interior luxury trim; Summit adds the 5.7L V8 standard
- SRT 392 uses a 6.4L HEMI V8 (475 hp) and is in a class by itself
SXT: The Starting Point
SXT ($40,240) is the entry Durango and a more capable vehicle than the price suggests. Standard features include the 3.6L Pentastar V6 producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, rear-wheel drive, a 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, heated front seats, and a standard tow package capable of 6,200 lbs.
Rear-wheel drive is the base configuration at this trim - AWD adds roughly $2,000 and is worth it for Long Island winters if you’re buying the SXT. The interior at this level is durable and functional rather than luxurious, which suits buyers who prioritize three-row utility over prestige.
Who buys the SXT: Nassau County buyers who need three rows and want to tow moderately without spending toward $50,000. The SXT is the honest utility choice if budget is the primary constraint.
GT: The Volume Seller
GT ($43,495) adds Laguna leather seating, sport suspension, remote start, dual-pane sunroof option, and the Blacktop appearance package availability. It’s the highest-volume Durango in Nassau County because it hits the feature set most buyers actually want without the jump to V8 pricing.
The GT remains V6-powered, which covers most real-world needs efficiently. Towing stays at 6,200 lbs with V6, adequate for most boats and trailers encountered in the area. AWD is optional and recommended for year-round Long Island use.
Who buys the GT: The practical family buyer who wants comfortable seating for seven, reasonable feature content, and doesn’t need the V8’s power or price premium.
R/T: The First V8 Upgrade
R/T ($50,995) is where the Durango’s character genuinely changes. The 5.7L HEMI V8 (357 hp, 390 lb-ft) transforms the driving experience - both in performance feel and in towing capability, which jumps to 7,400 lbs.
AWD is standard on the R/T (not optional), with a Quadra-Trac II system that provides better wet-weather capability than the base rear-wheel drive setup. The exhaust note at startup is notably different from the V6 - something buyers at test drives consistently react to. Road noise and cabin refinement also improve at this trim level.
Who buys the R/T: Buyers who genuinely tow a significant boat or trailer, or who value V8 performance and want it at a reasonable step from the GT’s price. This is also the natural choice for Merrick and South Shore Nassau County residents who launch boats regularly.
"For most of our Nassau County Durango buyers, the decision really comes down to R/T versus Citadel. Do you want the V8 power first, or the luxury interior? The Citadel SRT package bridges them for buyers who want both."
General Manager, Westbury Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram
Citadel: The Interior Luxury Trim
Citadel ($55,995) is the luxury-focused Durango, offering the V6 as standard (V8 optional) alongside premium Nappa leather seating, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, tri-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.
This trim prioritizes the in-cabin experience over raw performance. It’s the choice for Jericho and Garden City buyers who want the interior refinement of a BMW X5 or Lincoln Aviator at a lower price point, combined with three-row capability neither European rival offers.
The optional 5.7L HEMI V8 added to the Citadel is a popular configuration - it delivers the best combination of interior luxury and genuine performance the Durango line offers short of the SRT.
Who buys the Citadel: Buyers who use all three rows regularly and want the interior to feel genuinely premium - they’re not choosing the Durango despite the interior, they’re choosing it because the interior matches their expectations.
Browse Durango inventory at Westbury Jeep to compare available Citadel and R/T models in stock.
SRT 392: A Different Category
SRT 392 ($70,000+) is not a family SUV with a performance badge - it’s a genuine performance vehicle that happens to have three rows. The 6.4L HEMI V8 produces 475 hp and 470 lb-ft, with launch control, Brembo six-piston front brakes, performance-tuned suspension, and a sport exhaust.
The SRT 392 does 0-60 mph in approximately 4.4 seconds, which makes it faster than most sports cars while still seating seven. Highway driving characteristics are noticeably firmer than other Durango trims due to the performance suspension calibration.
Fuel economy is the tradeoff - expect 13-14 mpg city and 18-19 mpg highway in typical driving. At current fuel prices, this adds meaningful operating cost for everyday Nassau County commuting.
Who buys the SRT 392: Buyers who already decided they want the performance statement and can handle the fuel and insurance costs. It’s not the rational choice if towing or fuel economy matter - but it’s not trying to be.
For comparison with a different approach to three-row capability, see our Jeep Grand Cherokee L guide for the 3-row SUV with genuine off-road capability.
How the Trim Levels Stack Up
| Trim | MSRP | Engine | Tow Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SXT | ~$40K | 3.6L V6 | 6,200 lbs | Value utility |
| GT | ~$43K | 3.6L V6 | 6,200 lbs | ✓ Best value overall |
| R/T | ~$51K | 5.7L V8 | ✓ 7,400 lbs | Towing + performance |
| Citadel | ~$56K | V6 or V8 | Up to 7,400 lbs | ✓ Luxury + family |
| SRT 392 | $70K+ | ✓ 6.4L V8 (475 hp) | 8,700 lbs | Performance first |
Safety technology scales well across the lineup - NHTSA ratings for the Durango reflect its solid build quality. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are standard on most trims.
FAQ
Which Durango trim has the best towing capacity? The SRT 392 technically tows the most at 8,700 lbs, but the R/T, Citadel V8, and Summit all reach 7,400 lbs - more than enough for the majority of Long Island boats and trailers. Choose the V8-equipped trim that fits your budget rather than stretching to the SRT solely for towing.
Is the V6 Durango worth buying, or should I go straight to V8? The V6 Durango is a competent vehicle for buyers who don’t need maximum towing and aren’t drawn to V8 performance. Fuel economy is noticeably better (19/26 mpg vs. 14/22 mpg for the 5.7L V8), which adds up over a 3-year lease or 5-year loan. If you’ll rarely tow near the limit and don’t care about the V8’s character, the V6 makes financial sense.
How does the Durango compare to the Jeep Grand Cherokee L? The Durango tows significantly more (up to 8,700 lbs vs. 7,200 lbs for the Grand Cherokee L), has more distinctive styling, and is available with a much higher-performance engine in the SRT. The Grand Cherokee L offers better off-road capability, a more refined interior at similar price points, and the 4xe PHEV option. For towing-first buyers, the Durango wins; for off-road or PHEV, the Grand Cherokee L is the choice.
Does the Durango come with AWD standard? Not on every trim - the SXT and GT default to RWD with AWD as an option. AWD is standard on the R/T and all trims above. For Nassau County year-round driving, AWD is strongly recommended on the SXT and GT if those are your target trims.
See the Durango Lineup at Westbury Jeep
Westbury Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram carries Durango inventory across trims in Jericho, serving Nassau County buyers from Westbury, Carle Place, Mineola, and Hempstead. View current Durango specials or schedule your test drive to compare trims in person.