The Dodge Durango has gone through just three generations over the past 23 years, with the current generation lasting the longest. Its architecture can be traced back to 2011, shared with the WK-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, by way of continuous updates to the Durango, it maintains a modern design, passes current safety regulations, and is one of the most powerful and athletic three-row vehicles on the market. Dodge was even crazy enough to put a Hellcat V8 in approximately 3,000 of them. That said, the future of the Dodge Durango for the 2024 model year and beyond appears murky.
With the Jeep Grand Cherokee on an all-new platform (WL), and even offer three rows with the long-wheelbase Grand Cherokee L, the expectation was that the Dodge Durango would soon follow suit after the 2023 model year, and continue to share space at the Jefferson North Assembly complex in Detroit, Michigan as we see it today. However, if the latests reports are to be believed, that may not be the case.
According to Mopar Insiders, the next-generation Dodge Durango will go into production alongside the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer at the company’s Warren Truck Assembly Plant, some 20 minutes north of Detroit. This would mean that the 2024 Dodge Durango would adopt a full-sized body-on frame architecture that would effectively compete with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. That would be a significant size increase.
Image Via Dodge.## 2024 Dodge Durango Going Full-Size?
Many benefits would come with adopting a variation of the Ram DT body-on-frame architecture for the next-generation 2024 Dodge Durango, including improved towing capability, increased hauling capabilities, and more interior space. To compare, the current Durango has a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with select configurations, while the Jeep Wagoneer can tow up to 10,000 pounds on specific models. This gives more capability to the SUV and enables Dodge enthusiasts to do more with their vehicles, such as tow a Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak to the strip with less effort.
We’ve tapped into our sources to learn more about the potential of a 2024 Dodge Durango going back to its truck-platform roots, and what that might entail for customers. Will they put a Hellcat V8 in it? Stay tuned for more.
The Ram DT platform body on frame architecture underpinning the WS Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Image via Stellantis.
