Dodge Durango Wheelbase
The Dodge Durango has a wheelbase of 119.8 inches, making it a comfortable ride for five people with plenty of cargo room.
A car’s wheelbase (the distance between its front and rear axles) affects its storage, handling, and comfort. With a wheelbase of 119.8 inches, the
Dodge Durango
promises a smooth and roomy ride.If you were to build your perfect car, you’d probably start with the powertrain, transmission, steering, seating, and then style. But have you thought about the wheelbase? Believe it or not, this often-overlooked factor defines the character of all your favorite cars.
Jerry
, the licensed car insurance
broker super app
, has your guide to the Dodge Durango’s wheelbase—here’s the long and short of it!RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
What is the wheelbase of a Dodge Durango?
Car and Driver
described the Durango as an SUV with muscle car influences, rating it a 7/10 and criticizing its cramped third row. Had the wheelbase of 119.8 inches been slightly longer, this might not have been the case.For comparison, although the
Dodge Challenger SXT
rides lower to the ground (with 5.2 inches of ground clearance
versus the Durango’s 8.1 inches), it has a similar wheelbase of 116.2 inches. Amazingly, a couple of inches of length (and height) are all it takes to change an SUV into a sports car!Why is wheelbase important?
A vehicle’s wheelbase is the distance between its front axle and its rear axle. Picture running a tape measure down the side of your car from the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear wheel. Obviously, the wheelbase doesn’t represent the entire length of a car, but it does make up the majority.
A long wheelbase means more room for passengers, more room for storage, and more room for your legs. Because the weight of the car is distributed over a larger area, the cab is less susceptible to pitching and rolling. Combined with high
ground clearance
, a long wheelbase makes for easy cruising: take the Durango over a bump in the road, and you’ll feel like you’re cresting a wave rather than receiving a couple of kicks in the rear. On the other hand, a short wheelbase allows for a tight turning circle, which translates to better maneuverability. A short car will have much more luck hugging the curves on a mountain road than a long car, especially at high speeds. For zippy town and racetrack driving, it’s best to keep it short and sweet!
Key Takeaway A vehicle’s wheelbase makes up the majority of its length and affects its seating, storage space, and comfort.
Dodge Durango wheelbases over the years
Nearly every part of a car can change from generation to generation and the wheelbase is no exception. Here’s a growth chart of the Dodge Durango over the years:
- First generation (1998-2003): 115.9 inches
- Second generation (2004-2009): 119.2 inches
- Third generation (2011-present): 119.8 inches
Notice the growth spurt between 2003 and 2004, when Dodge stopped building the Durango on a pickup truck’s frame. The lost year of production in 2010 completed the change: the Durango stepped onto a light car platform and, in doing so, became a crossover.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
How does the Dodge Durango wheelbase compare to other models?
Since it switched to a car platform, there’s little difference between the wheelbase of the Durango and its siblings. Ram trucks are a different story: built heavy, built to haul, and built to carry tons of cargo, the difference between the two categories can be as much as 28.3 inches.
Here’s a look at the Dodge catalog, from shortest to longest:
Model | Ground clearance | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|
5.2 inches | 116.2 inches | |
5.2 inches | 120.0 inches | |
7.4 inches | 140.0 inches | |
7.3 inches | 140.5 inches | |
8.3 inches | 144.5 inches |
Long wheelbase vs. short wheelbase: which is better?
A long wheelbase is no better than a short wheelbase, any more than a muscle car is better than a pickup truck: it’s apples to oranges. The deciding factor is whether you feel like baking a pie or making a mimosa.
If you savor twisty roads, hate cumbersome turns, or rarely have passengers, a car with a short wheelbase will suit you. Think Charger or Challenger. Drivers looking for more storage space (and passenger seats), should upgrade to the Durango to make a leisurely cruise out of everyday errands.
On the other hand, if nothing but the best in power and stability will do, set your eyes on a Ram. Its extra-long wheelbase supports a spacious truck bed and heavy-duty suspension.
How to save money on car insurance for your Dodge Durango
Short or long wheelbase? Tall or low ground clearance? There are so many choices when it comes to the right car for you. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to find tailored and affordable car insurance—
Jerry
, the car insurance super app!Search for “car insurance” in the App Store, and you’ll find Jerry at the top of the list. Our 4.7/5-star rating comes from thousands of satisfied customers who saved an average of $800 per year on car insurance! With more than 50 top insurance partners and a team of friendly customer service agents to help you, you’re sure to find the plan you need at the price you want.
“Jerryhad a super simple app that was easy to navigate. And their terrific customer service made everything even easier. Plus I saved $700 in a single year.” —Lucia M.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings (100% Free)
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Compare Car Insurance Quotes For Free
Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. Members save $872/year.
Start saving money!
You might also be interested
.jpg&w=3840&q=75){kind=avatar}
