An Engine and Ride to Savor

Looking for a full-size SUV with a third-row seat, plenty of pulling power and a comfortable ride? Look no further than the 2005 Dodge Durango Limited. With seating for seven and a choice between two powerplants, the Durango Limited has a lot to offer, including true four-wheel drive capability and a low-range set of gears.

Although the 2005 Durango is little changed from 2004, it continues to impress me with a remarkably smooth ride, as did the optional Hemi V8 power in my Flame Red tester. These attributes are definitely worth savoring.

The availability of an Adventurer option

If you are in the market for a full-size SUV with a third-row seat, plenty of pulling power and a comfortable ride, be sure to check out the Durango. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

I appreciate the discreet profile of the Durango, compared to the huge "in your face" grille of the Ram pickup. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

The current generation of Durango hit the streets and trails of North America in the 2004 model year. Since its introduction, some critics have lamented its low-profile sloping nose. I find the nose design subtle rather than imposing like the huge "in your face" grille announcing the presence of a Dodge Ram truck,

The Durangos outer shell is well-proportioned and quite appealing, despite its dainty nose job. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

To my eye, the Durangos outer shell is well-proportioned and quite appealing, despite its dainty nose job. At 200.8 inches in length, the Durango slots between the slightly smaller Ford Explorer and the marginally larger Toyota Sequoia. Large expanses of glass add to the Durangos welcoming mid-size appearance and provide excellent outward visibility. They also treat occupants

The uncluttered, symmetrical two-tone dash in my tester incorporated a center stack accented with brushed aluminum. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

For 2005, the folks at Dodge havent altered the clean lines that defined the appealing interior of the 2004 version. The large, white-faced instrumentation remains highly visible and easy to read, day or night. The uncluttered, symmetrical two-tone dash in my tester incorporated a center stack accented with brushed aluminum. Here, Dodge located the audio head just above the controls for the HVAC system. And although the layout is both attractive

The comfort level doesnt deteriorate much when luck-of-the-draw forces one into the third row of seats. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

DaimlerChrysler did a great job of using four matching dials in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The functionality of that system completely outguns the Durango setup, which requires too much driver attention when the windscreen begins to fog or the tootsies get chilled.

While bemoaning the use of buttons over dials, let me add salt to the wound by mentioning the large expanses of hard plastic that comprise most of the dashboard.

Large four-wheel antilock disc brakes make quick work of emergency stops while offering plenty of predictability and control. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

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