Dodge Durango Fuel Economy: Real MPG Numbers

Photo Source/Copyright: Dodge

Is it actually possible for a brawny muscle-SUV to deliver respectable fuel efficiency? Yes, provided you select the proper configuration. The Dodge Durango covers more ground than almost any other three-row SUV, not in size, but in how differently its available engines behave at the pump. The same body can be ordered with a V-6 or with a supercharged V-8, and the gap between them is wide. If fuel economy factors into your decision, the configuration you choose matters far more than the trim name on the tailgate.

Dodge Durango Fuel Economy at a Glance

• The V-6 is the most efficient choice, at an EPA-estimated 18/25/20 miles per gallon (MPG) city/highway/combined with rear-wheel drive (RWD).

• Choosing all-wheel drive (AWD) with the V-6 costs 1 MPG in the city and 1 MPG on the highway, but the combined rating stays at 20.

• The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 is EPA-estimated at 14/21/16 MPG, trading roughly four combined MPG for substantially more output.

• The high-output V-8s land lower still, at an EPA-estimated 15 MPG combined for the 6.4-liter and 13 MPG combined for the supercharged 6.2-liter.

What Affects Durango Gas Mileage?

Engine displacement is the dominant variable. Every setup pairs with an eight-speed automatic, so the transmission isn’t what separates them; it’s the number of cylinders and how hard they work. The V-6 uses variable valve timing, while the HEMI V-8 relies on cylinder deactivation, dropping to four cylinders under light load.

Drivetrain choice matters too, though less than most shoppers assume. Selectable Eco Mode softens throttle and shift points. Towing near the 8,700-pound maximum, roof-mounted cargo, and short cold-start trips all pull real-world returns below the EPA estimate.

Durango MPG by Engine

Laid out side by side, the spread from the most efficient engine to the least is roughly seven combined MPG, an unusually wide range for a single model. Every V-8 configuration is all-wheel drive; rear-wheel drive is offered only with the V-6.

Durango Fuel Economy by Configuration

• GT with V-6, rear-wheel drive → 18/25/20 MPG city/highway/combined
• GT and GT Plus with V-6, all-wheel drive → 17/24/20 MPG city/highway/combined
• GT, GT Plus, and GT Premium with HEMI V-8 → 14/21/16 MPG city/highway/combined
• R/T 392 with 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 → 13/19/15 MPG city/highway/combined
• SRT Hellcat and Hellcat Jailbreak → 12/17/13 MPG city/highway/combined

Notice that both V-6 configurations land on the same combined rating despite differing city and highway numbers. Rear-wheel drive wins each test by a single MPG, but the two even out at 20 combined, which makes all-wheel drive a far smaller efficiency penalty than most buyers expect. The V-6 is offered on select trims, so confirm availability on the specific vehicle you’re considering.

Recommended Fuel and Driving Range

The V-6 runs on regular 87-octane gasoline. The 5.7-liter HEMI is designed for an 87-to-89-octane range, with 89 recommended for optimum performance and fuel economy, meaning regular is acceptable, not harmful.

The supercharged and 392 engines call for premium. Paired with the 24.6-gallon tank, the combined ratings work out to an estimated 490 miles of range on the V-6 and roughly 395 on the HEMI.

How to Get the Best MPG From Your Durango

Configuration sets the ceiling, but habits determine whether you reach it. A few routine measures keep returns close to the EPA estimate rather than well under it, and none of them cost anything beyond a few minutes of attention.

• Check tire pressure monthly against the doorjamb placard
• Keep oil and filter changes on the recommended interval
• Remove roof racks and excess cargo when not in use
• Use Eco Mode and ease off aggressive throttle input

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Durango engine gets the best gas mileage?

A: The 3.6-liter V-6 is the clear answer, at an EPA-estimated 20 MPG combined with either drivetrain; rear-wheel drive posts the strongest figures, with 18 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. Stepping to the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 costs four combined MPG, and the high-output V-8s give up more still, though they yield output no V-6 can approach.

Q: Does all-wheel drive lower the Durango’s fuel economy?

A: Only marginally with the V-6. All-wheel drive costs 1 MPG in the city test and 1 MPG on the highway, dropping the ratings from 18/25 to 17/24, but the combined figure holds at 20 either way. Every V-8 model comes with all-wheel drive as standard, so the comparison applies only to V-6 models. If maximum efficiency is the priority, a rear-drive V-6 is the configuration to look for.

Q: Is the Durango good on gas for long highway trips?

A: Highway driving is where it performs best. The V-6 is rated at 25 MPG highway, with a 24.6-gallon tank, translating to approximately 600 estimated highway miles between fill-ups. The HEMI V-8, rated at 21 MPG highway, comes in near 515 miles. Both figures are estimates and will shift with load, terrain, and speed.

Find Your Dodge Durango

The difference between a V-6 and a HEMI Durango is easiest to judge from the driver’s seat. Compare configurations side-by-side or browse our current inventory. EPA estimates are for comparison purposes only, and your actual mileage will vary with conditions and driving style.