The 2021 Dodge Durango may be one of the best midsize SUVs on the market, but that’s not what people are talking about. For the 2021 model year, Dodge gives owners the option to drop a massive 710-hp Hellcat engine into their Durango, and that’s got plenty of people excited. However, the 2021 Durango is a pretty good SUV even without that huge Hellcat engine.

Why it’s not worth thinking about the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat

As MotorTrend wrote, though the 2021 Dodge Durango’s SRT Hellcat trim has raised eyebrows, for most customers, it’s simply not a good idea to put too much stock into the trim. Sure, the Durango SRT Hellcat comes equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that allows it to accelerate from 0 to 60 in about four seconds and hit a top speed of about 180 mph, but the Durango SRT Hellcat will be pretty rare. 

Dodge plans to produce this trim for the Durango only for the 2021 model year, and it will also have a limited production run of about 2,000 vehicles. On top of that, the Durango SRT Hellcat will start at over $80,000, which is a huge $50,000 premium over the regular Durango. And because the Hellcat engine is extremely thirsty, its 14 combined mpg will also end up costing owners a lot in the long run. 

The regular Dodge Durango is pretty good, though

So, while most customers won’t be able to get their hands on the SRT Hellcat, they can still happily snag the regular 2021 Dodge Durango. MotorTrend said Dodge has done more to the Durango for the 2021 model year than add the Hellcat option. The automaker has also given the SUV a “thorough update.”

Some of the more noticeable updates to the Durango for the 2021 model year are aesthetic changes. MotorTrend said Dodge has given the Durango a facelift, and now it features a new front fascia design, a new grille design, and a slimmer headlight design. These design choices make the 2021 Durango look more modern. 

Dodge has also given the 2021 Durango an update in its interior. MotorTrend wrote that the 2021 Durango has a new dashboard design that’s “more driver-centric.” Looks aside, Dodge has also given the SUV more features and options that go beyond a 710-hp engine that most people can’t afford.

Other improvements to the 2021 Durango

For the 2021 model year, Dodge has updated the software behind the Durango’s infotainment system. The automaker is also offering a larger, 10.1-inch touchscreen on Durango’s higher-end trims. Furthermore, the regular Durango will also have an 8.4-inch touchscreen display as standard. That’s a bit larger than the 2020 model’s standard seven-inch display. 

On top of all that, select Durango configurations will also offer the Tow N’ Go package. When paired with the Durango’s 5.7-liter V8 engine, the package allows the Durango to tow up to 8,700 pounds. That said, the 5.7-liter V8 isn’t the standard engine on the Durango, so this combo will be more expensive than the regular Durango. 

Although that combo is more expensive, it allows the 2021 Durango to tow way more than usual — the standard Durango can tow about 6,200 pounds. As a result, families that want to haul around plenty of people and their stuff will likely make great use of this new option.