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Think of Dodge, and you probably think of loud, smoking, and screeching performance. With the company's minivans and econocars shelved, the past decade has brought more powerful Dodges to American roads, culminating with the outrageous Challenger SRT Demon 170 making up to 1,025 horsepower.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Even the Durango three-row SUV has gotten in on the fun. In 2021, Dodge added the Durango SRT Hellcat to the lineup, saying it would build 2,000 examples and make the model "only available for the 2021 model year." To the chagrin of some buyers, Dodge returned the Durango SRT Hellcat to showrooms in 2023, and it's been available ever since.
JD Power previously published a review of the 2021 Dodge Durango R/T. Since then, in addition to the SRT Hellcat, Dodge has made the following changes to the SUV.
For this 2025 Durango review, Dodge provided a test vehicle equipped with SRT Hellcat trim and the Silver Bullet special-edition package. It added the following significant options:
In addition, that package installs numerous safety features, including:
The test vehicle's price was $115,315, including the $1,595 destination charge to ship the SUV from the assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan, to your local dealership.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, the Durango SRT Hellcat has 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque and boasts an acceleration time of 60 mph of 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 180 mph. I mean, seriously. In a midsize three-row SUV? Wow.
An eight-speed automatic transmission delivers that force through a full-time all-wheel-drive system, and drivers can choose from Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, Tow, Eco (!), and Valet driving modes. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel provide manual control over the gear changes, and drivers can track their performance using the SUV's Performance Pages technology.
More than a straight-line performer, Dodge fortifies the force-fed, Hemi-powered drivetrain with exclusive exhaust and steering tuning, an SRT-tuned adaptive damping suspension, and a more sophisticated Brembo braking system with larger discs. The front and rear tracks are wider, and the Durango SRT Hellcat sits on 20-inch wheels wrapped in run-flat all-season performance tires. Summer performance rubber is available.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Settle into the SRT Hellcat's generously proportioned driver's seat, press the red engine start button, and the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 bellows to life before quieting down to a mellow rumble. Shift into Drive, and it won't be long before you can sense how thoroughly Dodge's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) engineers have tuned this Durango for performance.Â
With every move, it feels taut and tight, as if communicating in the language of track duty. Response to inputs is quick, and you're keenly aware of the road surface topography. The brakes and tire grip fill you with confidence. Yet, the drivetrain is docile enough, and the ride is compliant enough to make the SRT Hellcat a rewarding daily driver aside from the engine's seemingly unquenchable thirst for fuel.
The official EPA rating is 13 mpg in combined driving, so its 24.6-gallon fuel tank should provide a typical range of nearly 320 miles. I averaged 12.2 mpg on my evaluation loop (300 miles of range), so prepare to spend a lot of money and make frequent fueling stops if you buy a Durango SRT Hellcat.
When you want to use the engine's maximum power, a deep push of the accelerator pedal unleashes it, accompanied by a supercharger whine and an angry, thunderous blast from the oversized exhaust outlets.Â
Jaw-droppingly fast, the Durango SRT Hellcat is also astoundingly capable in curves and infallibly stable on uneven pavement. The adaptive suspension instantly eradicates unwanted ride and handling motions, and the brakes withstand repeated hard use without a hint of fade.
Overall, the Durango SRT Hellcat feels track-ready right off the Detroit assembly line. Yet, it works perfectly well as a suburban daily driver.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Often, high-performance vehicles aren't practical, but that's not the case with the Durango SRT Hellcat. In addition to its track-worthy driving dynamics, this SUV seats six people in three rows, tows up to 8,700 pounds, and carries up to 85.1 cubic feet of cargo. Put a set of winter tires on it, and its 7.8 inches of ground clearance will get you home in a blizzard without any trouble.
The front seats appear to be substantially bolstered, like me. Nevertheless, I fit into them without any trouble. They're not confining, but they also failed to hold me in place while threading the SUV down my local canyon roads. Thanks to the soft Nappa leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, heated suede-wrapped steering wheel, and supportive seat cushions, the Durango is a comfortable SUV, no matter the weather.
Second-row captain's chairs are standard in the SRT Hellcat, and the test vehicle added an available center storage console between them. They don't slide, so legroom is unexpectedly tight for taller people, and the plastic front seatback trim with protruding grocery bag hooks can be unkind to unprotected knees. Nevertheless, the seats are comfortable if you don't mind their lack of adjustment.
Third-row space is unexpectedly accommodating. What's better is the bottom seat cushion is higher off the floor than in some three-row SUVs, providing legit leg support. Knee room and foot space are also surprisingly generous.
With the third-row seat in use, the Durango SRT Hellcat holds 17.2 cu-ft of cargo. Fold the third row down to create a roomy 43.3 cu-ft cargo hold. With the second-row seats collapsed, the maximum cargo volume number is 85.1 cu-ft.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
For the 2025 Durango, Dodge offers four special editions of the SUV. My SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet test vehicle is one of them, and here are the highlights of the other three:
Durango R/T 20th Anniversary
Durango SRT Hellcat Hammerhead
Durango SRT Hellcat Brass Monkey
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
With a base price of nearly $100,000 and exorbitant fueling costs to keep it on the road, a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat isn't for everybody. Plus, it's not close to being the fastest SUV your money can buy. The more affordable Tesla Model X Plaid will smoke it in the run to 60 mph and the quarter mile, and there are Rivian R1S variants that keep pace with or blow the SRT Hellcat into the weeds.Â
But gas vs. electric supremacy isn't the point. The Durango SRT Hellcat might be a relic of a bygone era, but the SUV's sound and sensations celebrate Dodge's history and the Hemi V8 like no EV can.Â
Furthermore, the only gas-powered alternatives are high-dollar German rivals like the Audi SQ7, BMW Alpina XB7, and Mercedes-AMG GLS 63. And the Bimmer and Benz are (rightly) substantially more expensive than the Dodge, making the "Last Call" for the Durango SRT Hellcat even more urgent.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran automotive journalist with 30 years of experience in the field and has held automotive editorial leadership positions at Edmunds, JD Power, and The New York Daily News. Today, Chris owns a content agency called Speedy Daddy Media, and in addition to JDPower.com, his work appears on Capital One Auto Navigator, CarGurus, and Edmunds.
