• Car Review

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Review

By Michael O'Connor | July 23, 2024

Vehicle Type: Mid-Size SUV

Price Range: $97,590 - $111,685

Powertrain: The 2024 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat comes with the namesake engine: a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 putting out 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque.

This engine runs through an eight-speed automatic transmission with full-time all-wheel drive.

The Durango SRT Hellcat has a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12.0 seconds at 115 miles per hour.


What’s New for 2024?

2024 is the final model year that the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat SUV will be in production, so there are very few changes, except for standard blind-spot monitoring for every trim level. It also gets a new towing package called Trailer-Tow Group IV with a seven-pin and four-pin wiring harness, class IV hitch, and a trailer brake controller.


What’s Good?

  • The power is unmatched in the American family SUV space, making this a perfect choice if you want some serious muscle car performance for your daily errands
  • The 8,700-pound towing capacity also makes the Durango SRT Hellcat ideal for those who need a little extra capability with their performance car
  • The Durango SRT Hellcat’s interior is sparse and sporty with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, which adds yet another level of excitement to what might otherwise be an uninspiring three-row SUV cabin
  • The Uconnect 5 infotainment software on the 10.1-inch touchscreen is one of the easiest, most intuitive interfaces on the market, and has been completely updated for 2024

What’s Bad?

  • While the idea of a family SUV with a massive Hemi engine is certainly appealing, it is not be the most practical choice, especially when it comes to fuel economy
  • The six-figure price tag makes the 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat fairly inaccessible to anyone other than those who could already afford a high-end Mercedes-AMG or equivalent BMW
  • Some of the interior materials are somewhat low-quality, which is unacceptable for a vehicle with such a high price
  • The supercharger whine is very pronounced and can be grating

Would we buy one? Yes! Despite its impracticality, the 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat is an unusual and incredibly powerful vehicle that could be well worth the money for those who care about performance.


More Photos:

See more 2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Photos.


Overview:

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Back Right Side (Overview)

Taking cues from other muscle cars in the automaker's lineup, such as the Dodge Charger Hellcat and the Challenger Hellcat, the 2024 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is a high-performance muscle car in an SUV package. This is its final model year and Dodge has continued with all the performance and power you would expect.

The engine is a massive, supercharged 6.2-liter V8, generating 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. It runs through an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive with 20-inch wheels and optional Pirelli P Zero summer season tires. The Durango is good for a 0-60mph time of 3.6 seconds as well as an 8,700-pound towing capacity, so there is versatility and capability to go with the power.

It is also equipped with massive Brembo brakes with 15.75-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors, which will bring the Durango SRT Hellcat to a stop from 70 miles per hour in around 165 feet. The suspension is also specifically tuned to make up for the 5,534-pound curb weight and features adaptive dampers to give it 0.87-g of grip in corners.

With an engine this size, it is no surprise that fuel economy is less than stellar. The EPA estimates that the Durango gets 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. However, with all the performance specs that you can get from a 710-horsepower supercharged V8 engine with an AWD configuration, it could be a decent tradeoff for the right buyer.

The interior is familiar from Dodge’s other muscle cars, such as the Charger and the Challenger. The steering wheel features a flat bottom as well as a backlit SRT badge and paddle shifters for a true racing feel. The front seats are heated and ventilated and come with Nappa leather coverings and suede inserts. The rest of the cabin is well appointed and fairly comfortable, with quality materials such as carbon fiber. It is as accommodating as other mid-size SUVs, with plenty of room in the second and third rows.

The base Durango comes with an 8.4-inch touchscreen but the Hellcat gets an upgrade to 10.1 inches. This system runs on the Uconnect 5 software with a combination of touch controls and rotary knobs as well as USB inputs throughout the cabin. This system has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity and an available Wi-Fi hotspot. If you opt for the Premium trim level, you get a 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo that replaces the standard Alpine system.

The 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat comes with a wide range of standard safety features, which is to be expected on any family vehicle, regardless of the performance aspect. They include automated emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It has received fairly high marks in crash test results from the NHTSA, with a 4/5 overall rating and perfect scores for the side barrier but a 3/5 on the rollover test.

The 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat is unlike any other SUV on the market. The closest model would be the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, which had the same engine with 707 horsepower. The 2021 Mercedes GLE63 S is another close second, with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 putting out 603 horsepower. If you want the ultimate muscle SUV in 2024, though, the Durango SRT Hellcat is going to be your best bet, as long as you don’t mind the high MSRP, even at the base price.


Overall Score: 3.5/5 stars

Driving Experience: 4/5 stars

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Driving (Driving)

The 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat comes with standard adaptive suspension to balance some of the heavy feeling that comes from the huge Hemi up front.

The eight-speed transmission is smooth and doesn’t transfer any jerks or abrupt shifts to the cabin.

Braking performance is smooth enough to make it feel like you are driving a less powerful car, which creates an air of confidence and responsiveness.

If you want a quiet ride, then the Durango might not be the right choice for you due to the throaty roar of the exhaust and the persistent whine of the supercharger.


Safety Features: 4/5 stars

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Dashboard and Seats (Safety)

A wide range of safety features comes with the 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat, including automated emergency braking, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring.

While the driver-assistance and safety features are decent, other mid-size SUVs have more equipment.

The high-performance Brembo brake system is absolutely necessary for a vehicle with such a powerful engine and delivers excellent stopping power.

The overall four-out-of-five-star NHTSA rating is decent, but there are other SUVs in the category with perfect scores.


Value: 3/5 stars

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Front (Value)

The 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat's six-figure price tag does not exactly fit your average family's budget. While the engine's power is impressive, you may be better off with a Charger or Challenger if you don’t need all the extra room in the back.

For a vehicle with a price this high, some of the cabin materials and build quality are not as high-end as you would expect, and leave a little to be desired.

Dodge’s limited warranty only covers the car for three years or 36,000 miles and there is no complimentary scheduled maintenance included, which, again, you might expect from a car that costs over $100,000.


Tech Features: 5/5 stars

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Infotainment (Tech)

If you are looking for top-of-the-line tech, the Durango SRT Hellcat is packed with it.

The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system runs the Uconnect 5 software, which is regarded as one of the most intuitive and simple infotainment systems.

Full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are included, as are Amazon Alexa voice controls, and you can connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time.

The Dodge Performance Pages software lets you display the likes of acceleration figures, lateral G forces, and quarter-mile times.


Practicality: 3/5 stars

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Trunk (Practicality)

The Durango SRT Hellcat is a unique combination of practical features and ludicrous power that is unheard of in other SUVs in its category.

The cabin is big enough to seat six passengers comfortably, and even the back row – often reserved for kids, even in large cars – is spacious.

The 8,700-pound towing capacity makes it an excellent choice for towing. Just be prepared to spend a lot of money on fuel during your trip, because towing will only reduce the already low fuel economy numbers.


Styling & Design: 3/5 stars

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Front Left Side (Styling)

From the outside, you might not think the Durango SRT Hellcat is anything but a family SUV.

The interior, unfortunately, is not as high-quality as you might expect for a car that is so expensive. If you crave sleek design and a sporty stance, you might be better off with a BMW or a Mercedes at this price point.

Some of the available exterior colors and appearance packages can add some seriously sporty appeal, and give the Durango Hellcat an edge that is more in line with the performance specs.


Fuel Efficiency: 2/5 stars

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Speedmeter (Efficiency)

The fuel economy of the 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat is fairly abysmal, even for a vehicle with a massive V8 engine.

The EPA estimates that the Durango SRT Hellcat gets 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway.

Even the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S gets 15 mpg city and 17 mpg highway with a similar V8.

It is important to keep in mind that if you are buying a mid-size SUV with a V8 that delivers over 700 horsepower, you are going to be spending some serious money at the pump.


What’s it Going to Cost Me?

2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Profile (Cost)

The base 2024 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat starts at $97,590, including the destination charge of $1,595. This version comes with the standard 20-inch wheels with dark pockets, the Pirelli Verde Zero all-season tires, and the standard leather and suede interior.

The Plus trim level starts at $103,590, including the destination charge. This version comes with extras such as a power sunroof, three-zone climate control, and an automatic dimming rearview mirror.

The top-end trim is the Premium, which starts at $108,795. This version comes with a black and Demonic Red interior with high-performance Laguna leather seats, rear air conditioning with heater, the 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system, GPS navigation, and black velour floor mats with the SRT logo.

There are also several options and packages, including dual racing stripes by Mopar for $1,495, the Black Package, which adds black touches to the exterior like the exhaust tops and badges for $1,995, and the Trailer-Tow Group IV package for $1,195.


More Photos:

See more 2024 Dodge Durango Hellcat Photos.