The 2004 Dodge Durango: More Space, Refinement and Value

- The Most SUV Per Dollar

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 17 -- Chrysler Group today announced pricing for the all-new 2004 Dodge Durango. With a base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $25,920 (plus $645 destination), the new 2004 Dodge Durango is priced $1,000 below the 2003 Durango while delivering the power, capability and room of large SUVs at a price lower than the smaller, full-size SUVs.

Designed from the ground up as a refined sport utility vehicle (SUV), the 2004 Dodge Durango is larger inside and out, features an all-new chassis, new powertrains and added refinement at a lower price than its predecessor. And, yes, it has a HEMI(R).

"You can't buy more SUV for your dollar, period," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President, Dodge Marketing. "The Durango is an exceptional value, with more room, more content and more refinement, all delivered at a lower price than the previous generation Durango. With the new Dodge Durango, we deliver a large SUV with the driveability, fuel efficiency and price of a full-size SUV."

The value story gets even better, with the volume-leader Dodge Durango SLT 4x4 priced at almost $2,000 less than the previous Durango SLT 4x4. Combined with a projected residual value well above the average for SUVs and competitive financing, the 2004 Dodge Durango will deliver a consumer payment in line with the smaller full-size SUV competition.

"We know the heart of the large SUV market and we have priced for the consumer," added Jackson. "We are $5,000 under our large domestic SUV competition, and, a fully-loaded Durango Limited is nearly $10,000 less than fully-equipped large SUV models."

The all-new Dodge Durango is seven inches longer, three inches taller and three inches wider than the current Durango, but delivers improved fuel efficiency across its new three-engine line-up. With its third-row seat folded flat, the 2004 Dodge Durango has more cargo room than the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada. The Durango also delivers more leg room, hip room and head room than the previous generation.

For the first time ever, the Dodge Durango will be offered with a new 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 on two-wheel drive models. The new V-6 powerplant allows Durango to compete directly, on both price and efficiency, with the smaller SUV competition. A 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 is also available, as is the powerful 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum, a first for Durango.

"With the new Durango, we recreated the formula that made the original Durango so popular," said Frank Klegon, Vice President, Truck Product Team. "As the smaller SUVs grew to try and match us, we increased the size of the Durango, while maintaining the driveability and garageability our customers' desire.

"We have refined the ride with a new suspension and chassis, increased the interior size and offer seating for seven passengers. But we are a real SUV, a strong, powerful and capable Dodge SUV. The Durango will tow 8,950 lbs., go off-road and has a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,600 lbs. Not many SUVs combine these attributes in one package."

New safety features on the all-new 2004 Dodge Durango include patented octagonal front frame rail tips that absorb frontal impacts more efficiently and consistently than other designs, a new passenger occupant classification system and available side-curtain air bags for all three rows of seating. The bumper height of the new Durango was also designed within the bumper height zone of passenger cars.

The new Dodge Durango was designed to be as durable as it is capable and offers Dodge's transferable seven-year/70,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. The Dodge Durango is built at the Company's Newark, Delaware, Assembly plant.