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2008 Dodge Durango Safety Review

November 5, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Four-wheel antilock disc brakes...are standard
Edmunds

Five stars, front impact; three stars, rollover
NHTSA

No data
IIHS

The 2008 Dodge Durango definitely gets better-than-average marks for safety.

In crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2008 Dodge Durango earned a full five stars in both driver-side and passenger-side front impact protection. For 2WD rollover resistance, however, the Dodge 2008 rated only three stars; adding 4WD brings it up to four stars. The NHTSA did not perform side-impact crash tests on the 2008 Dodge Durango. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not perform any tests on the 2008 Dodge.

According to Edmunds, "Four-wheel antilock disc brakes...are standard on all Dodge Durangos." Cars.com notes that the Dodge 2008 Durango comes standard with "an electronic stability system and roll-sensing side curtain airbags that protect occupants in all rows of seats." Kelley Blue Book also mentions child door locks and an engine immobilizer.

There are also some visibility problems. Although there are generous rearview mirrors, ConsumerGuide reports that 2008 Dodge "thick front pillars obstruct the view around corners." Mother Proof expresses appreciation for the 2008 Dodge backup camera "because I couldn't see a darn thing out of this behemoth."

Conclusion

The 2008 Dodge Durango scores well in crash tests, but visibility isn’t perfect and rollover ratings are typical for SUVs: low.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Four-wheel antilock disc brakes...are standardEdmundsFive stars, front impact; three stars, rolloverNHTSANo dataIIHS The 2008 Dodge Durango definitely gets better-than-average marks for safety. In crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2008 Dodge Durango earned a full five stars in both driver-side and passenger-side front impact protection. For 2WD rollover resistance, however, the Dodge 2008 rated only three stars; adding 4WD brings it up to four stars. The NHTSA did not perform side-impact crash tests on the 2008 Dodge Durango. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not perform any tests on the 2008 Dodge. According to Edmunds, "Four-wheel antilock disc brakes...are standard on all Dodge Durangos." Cars.com notes that the Dodge 2008 Durango comes standard with "an electronic stability system and roll-sensing side curtain airbags that protect occupants in all rows of seats." Kelley Blue Book also mentions child door locks and an engine immobilizer. There are also some visibility problems. Although there are generous rearview mirrors, ConsumerGuide reports that 2008 Dodge "thick front pillars obstruct the view around corners." Mother Proof expresses appreciation for the 2008 Dodge backup camera "because I couldn't see a darn thing out of this behemoth." ConclusionThe 2008 Dodge Durango scores well in crash tests, but visibility isn’t perfect and rollover ratings are typical for SUVs: low. 2008 DODGE DURANGO STYLING | [6 out of 10] Automotive.com: "offers an imposing presence in rearview mirrors" Cars.com: "broad-shouldered presence" Mother Proof: "surpasses truck-like and verges into boxcar territory" You'll either love or hate the 2008 Dodge Durango's looks, if the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Dodge Durango is somewhere between the mid-size and full-size truck-based SUVs from GM and Ford. It's about the same length as the short-wheelbase versions of the full-size SUVs from GM and Ford, but it's narrower and isn't as tall, which makes its interior feel smaller; and though it's quite a few inches longer than the Explorer and TrailBlazer, it's only slightly wider and taller. Yet, even though the Durango is slightly smaller than those big SUVs, it doesn't handle any better. The Durango offers a usable third-row seat, an advantage over those smaller models, and has tow ratings that are competitive with some larger, full-size SUVs. It's a good deal for those who tow; especially in one of its lower trim levels when optioned with the HEMI engine, the Durango makes a good tow vehicle for thousands less than the Expedition or Tahoe.

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See the Dodge Durango in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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