2024 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Review

Editor's note: This review has been edited to include Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Last Call information.

This week I say hello to the 2024 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.  The funny thing is I said goodbye forever in 2021, when Dodge told us all: this is it!  Last shot!  Durango Hellcat is gone for good!  Apparently, something changed, because here we are 3-years later and I am still saying goodbye, adieu, adios, and ciao all over again. Though, fingers crossed this won't be the final Durango SRT Hellcat review for me.  Dodge is offering a series of limited-edition Last Call 2024 and 2025 model-year vehicles to commemorate the final calendar year of V-8 HEMI production for the Durango. The first of which, the 2024 Dodge Durango SRT 392 AlcHEMI, is available now, with details on other models still to come.   

Performance 

Besides being a super nice and capable SUV, you’ve got to worship the powertrain of this Durango Hellcat, especially if you consider yourself a Car Gal or Car Guy.   

So, let’s look at the heart of this 3-row family SUV that has a massive 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V8 that is putting out 710-horses and 645-pound feet of torque, numbers that are amazing, especially in a large SUV.  The huge engine is mated to an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system that can shift 70% of the power to the rear wheels, and it really throws the power down when you are getting on it.

Check this out: This SUV will take you from 0-to-60 in 3.5 seconds and will tow an incredible 8,700 pounds.  Top speed is 180 miles per hour.  Nuts, right?  What an evolution from the first Durango we saw back in 1998, just before Bill Clinton won the Presidency for the second term.

Exterior  

The 2024 hasn’t changed since the 2021 version I reviewed, but for me, that is a blessing.  I’ve always thought this was one of the prettiest SUVs on the road.  You know I am a tire & wheel guy, and the 20” tall X 10” high wheels with Pirelli tires really sets this beast off.  

Click photos to enlarge.

The Octane Red Pearl-Coat paint is gorgeous and looks like it is about a foot thick. For whatever reason, I love the fact that there is no luggage rack, but there is a rear spoiler, dual exhaust, and the hood is designed to feed air right into that monster supercharger.

Interior 

Inside you find incredibly comfortable stitched and bolstered Alcantara front power seats with the SRT logo embroidered into them.  There are soft touch materials everywhere and you’ll find hints of forged carbon fiber on the door panels and dash area.

I love the flat-bottomed steering wheel with controls and heavy-duty shift paddles, but the big transmission is more efficient shifting itself than you will be, trust me.  You can operate the driver info center from there, and the gauge cluster is colorful and easy to read, and as it should be in this vehicle, red.

The center console is comfortable for your arm and there are two USB ports and an easy-to-use cell phone charger.  The stubby shifter feels good to your hand if you like to rest it there like I do.

Center dash is the Uconnect V.5 10.1” touchscreen that is quick and so simple to operate, one of the best systems I have reviewed.

Click on Right Arrow to Scroll.

There are a ton of apps you can choose from. There are Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, real-time traffic and weather, a terrific navigation system, a optional Harman Kardon stereo system, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

You have to explore the SRT pages which will let you configure this incredible SUV the way you want it.  There are timers, G-Force monitoring, dyno pages, and a host of gauges.  Any information you could want is there and it is easy to understand.

There are shortcuts under the air conditioning controls to get to the SRT pages, and also to go into Launch Mode, which is a pure rush of adrenaline.  Just follow the instructions on the dash and hold the brake and gas pedal to the floor, let the brake go and hold on for dear life.  I can’t describe how fun that is adequately, it is just something you have to experience for yourself.

There are captain’s chairs for the second row, tons of headroom, and there are USB ports, a power outlet, and air conditioning vents for the second-row occupants.  Between the captains is a very nice center console for storage and a couple of cup holders, second-row passengers also have their seats heated.

Third row seat room is surprisingly roomy, and two adults will be comfortable back there.  Cargo area behind the 3^rd row seat is also large, and there is a nice storage area under the floor, since the spare is tucked under the rear bumper. In a stroke of genius, the power tailgate button is on the side of the cargo area, most are on the tailgate and when it is raised, some people have problems reaching it.

Safety 

This SUV is loaded with safety features including brake assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, rear seat reminder, and blind spot warning.

Standard Equipment and Options

Standard features include remote start, power liftgate, heated and cooled front seats, Brembo brakes, and a backup camera with cross-traffic alert.

My review speedster has the $11,295 Premium Package, which makes this the top-of-the-line Durango Hellcat. This includes trailer towing with blind-spot monitoring coverage, the high-performance seats, red seat belts, a suede headliner, a power moon roof, full-speed forward collision system, the 19-speaker stereo with subwoofer and 825-watt amplifier, a trailer hitch with trailer brake controller, and the forged carbon fiber I spoke of.  This is an exceptional package with all these items being bundled together. 

Ride and Drive  

In summary, the Durango Hellcat is just an amazing SUV to drive. The settings for the competition suspension, the adaptive damping, the Brembo brakes, the insane acceleration, the incredible exhaust system sound, and the all-wheel drive system combined makes this the most fun SUV I have ever driven, bar none.  The best thing is whether on a racetrack or whether sitting in the carpool line, you’ll be the envy of everybody.    Good luck resisting the temptation to hit the Launch button every single time you take off.

If you are worried about fuel economy, get over it, and just know it sucks.  12 city, 17 highway for a combined 13 overall, but if you drive like I do, expect 10 on a good day.

Verdict 

MSRP is $109,190 and honestly, that is a bargain. I believe these will hold their value like crazy once the Durango SRTs are discontinued.

Strong statement here:  The 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat is the most incredibly fast SUV I’ve ever reviewed, and I’ve had some great ones, including some that cost three times this amount of money. 

Durango SRT Hellcat Production

For some clarification, Dodge says it continues to produce the 2024 Durango SRT Hellcat. As I mentioned at the top, the automaker is releasing a series of Last Call models. The first model, the 2024 Durango SRT 392 AlcHEMI, is available now. Dodge says it will also produce 2025 Durango SRT Hellcat vehicles as a part of the Last Call series. We'll share those details as they are revealed.  To check out dealer allocations as Last Call models are released, head to the Dodge Horsepower Locator.