Durango SRT Could Be The Best Damn Family Wagon Ever
Dodge may drop a 6.4-liter V-8 into a Durango before the current generation model goes away, executives told dealers in Las Vegas this week, several media sources are reporting.
The Durango was last redesigned in 2011, so a SRT version could be a victory lap for the three-row SUV. Jeep may take over three-row crossover duty with its Grand Wagoneer.
If you’re pressed between a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk or a Durango SRT — there is a third option, this Kia Sorento with an LS engine swap.
Let’s ponder the possibilities for a moment on the last one.
According to the hero man who stuffed a 2009 LSX engine into his wife’s 2007 Sorento, it was a family operation. Autoevolution said the man’s 7-year-old son was amazed at the size of the Kia’s engine bay — we’re amazed at everything:
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I owned a first gen 2004 Sorento, the one with leather, moon roof and for it's time much bling. The vehicle had a full ladder frame chassis and was relatively capable off road. It's build quality surprised me since it came from Korea (circa 2004 don't forget). The vehicle proved extremely reliable and I sold it to my friend when I bought my BT50. The best way to describe the build quality of the Korean Sorento is like a comparison between the Grand Cherokee and the current Japanese proper 4x4 wagons, ie, 4hi and 4lo, etc. The Sorento was a bargin priced machine, as well similar to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, not quite the quality of the Japanese, but not the price either. A bargain and budget machine. I considered the Sorento that good I kept it and continued to drive it for around 18 months after I bought my pickup. The first gen Sorento was actually 4x4 of the year in Europe. My gripe was the abysmal FE from the Mitsubishi based V6 built by Hyundai. The engine's performance reminded me of the Buick based 3.8 litre V6's fitted to the Holden Commodore, not like the in line 4 litre 6 that was fitted to my XJ Sports, which was similar to a in line 6 Ford engine in the Falcon, much low down grunt. I do see the benefit of fitting a V8 into a Sorento, as the vehicle weighed in at 2.2 tonnes and the V6 needed to be prodded to get the vehicle mobile. We did have the 2.7 CRD powered Sorento in the first gen models, I do see quite a few owned by the Grey Nomads here in Australia pulling 20-22 foot caravans.
It looks like we're setting up to become reliant on Iranian and Russian oil again. Or, drilling a million more holes in domestic ground, maybe some likely running under our own homes. "I have to buy my drinking water at the store, but hey, I drive a 5,000 lb. SUV with a V8!" Great. HELLCAT