The new Durango I've found to be a very pleasant riding vehicle (for an SUV), and it handles quite well in lieu its size.

Considering that it's design and construction is all new from the ground up since 2004, was one of the primary reasons I bought it. In a Road & Track review of the top SUV's (including the Armada and Pathfinder), Road & Track named the Durango number 1.

The performance is rather impressive for a vehicle weighing in at 6000 pounds. I opted for the Hemi, and the motor has a great sound to it - not overly loud, but enough to let you know you have some beef under the hood.

The fit and finish are pretty good and the layout of the controls, seating, and general space of the interior is also very good. It has a well thought out appearance, and yet seems very practical as well.

I test drove other SUV's like the Tahoe and Expedition, and there's really no comparison I guess, since Tahoe and Expedition are really 4 and 5 year old model designs. For the moment I would agree with the Road & Track assessment... the Durango is currently at the top of the heap.

My one caveat, is that I'm tall (6'5)and although there is ample headroom, the front A-pillars and the rear pillars are thick, with a small rear window, so it can sometimes be tricky seeing out, since I seem to be looking down and then out. My wife who's shorter doesn't seem to have this problem.

As for the price... Here's what I found interesting... If you look up the Five-Star Chrysler (preferably just Dodge) dealerships, and you go in at the end of the month (say the 23 rd or later) these guys are usually willing to deal -just to make the numbers for their month end. Because they're such big volume dealers, they'll often come down below invoice if they've already met their quota. The smaller dealerships were out by over $2000.00 when I compared prices, and invariably the 5-Star dealerships always managed to beat the price of the smaller dealerships (some of the 5 Star dealerships more so than others). I phoned over 10 dealerships from Atlanta to South Florida, to Mobile, Alabama. I settled on a 5 Star Dodge dealership in Mobile. Asking price MRSP $41,763.00, I bought the Limited (with every option except 4 x 4) out the door for $34,467.00. It pays to shop around... even if it's by looking on the Internet and then having the salesmen phone you! (better than going to visit each dealership). Also, when doing financing through Chrysler, ask the finance guy about extra rebates for small business owners, recent college graduates, and a host of other things.

It does like the gas... but if you didn't know that going in, you shouldn't be buying this vehicle. The Hemi gets the same mileage as the 100 horsepower less, 4.7 litre V8, so it's a better deal for the minimal increase in price.

I can't speak to reliability yet (only 1000 miles so far) but according to Consumer Reports, it has an "average" reliability - which translates into "very good" for an American made vehicle.

All in all I think this vehicle is the best boy on the block... at least for now!

Amount Paid (US$): 34,434.00
Condition: New
Model Year: 2005
Model and Options: Limited - everything but 4 wheel drive