What You Get in Each 2025 Durango Trim
The 2025 Dodge Durango comes in five main trim levels: SXT, R/T, GT, Citadel, and R/T Plus. Each step up adds features, comfort upgrades, and performance options rather than forcing you to buy everything at once. The SXT is the base model with cloth seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, and standard safety features. The R/T adds a more powerful engine, leather upholstery, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The GT sits between R/T and Citadel with additional styling and convenience features. Citadel is the luxury-focused trim with premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and upgraded audio. The R/T Plus combines the R/T's performance with some Citadel-level comfort features.
Within each trim, you can layer on packages and individual options. A package bundles related features at a lower price than buying them separately; an individual option lets you pick just what you want. For example, the SXT might offer a Technology Package that includes navigation and a premium sound system, while the R/T might offer a Towing Package with upgraded cooling and a integrated trailer brake controller.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 Durango offers five trim levels from SXT base through R/T Plus, each with different standard features and available upgrades.
- Engine choices are a 3.6-liter V6 standard on most trims and a 5.7-liter V8 available on R/T and higher, with significant differences in towing capacity and fuel economy.
- Interior configurations vary by trim: cloth seats on SXT, leather on R/T and up, and premium leather with more color choices on Citadel.
- Packages bundle related features like towing, technology, or appearance upgrades, while individual options let you customize without buying features you don't need.
- Seating is standard three rows across all trims, but second-row captain's chairs (two individual seats) are available on most trims instead of the standard bench.
Engine and Powertrain Options
The standard engine across most 2025 Durango trims is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission and comes with rear-wheel drive as standard; all-wheel drive is available on all trims. This engine is fuel-efficient for a three-row SUV and handles everyday driving and moderate towing well.
The 5.7-liter V8 is available on R/T, GT, Citadel, and R/T Plus trims. It produces 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, making a noticeable difference in acceleration and passing power. The V8 increases towing capacity from 3,600 pounds (V6) to 8,600 pounds, which matters significantly if you plan to pull a boat or large trailer. The V8 also comes standard with all-wheel drive on most trims. Fuel economy drops compared to the V6, so factor that into your decision if you drive mostly on highways or in the city.
Both engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission. Dodge does not offer a hybrid or plug-in hybrid version of the Durango for 2025.
Seating Configurations and Interior Materials
All 2025 Durango models seat seven passengers across three rows as standard. The front row has two bucket seats, the second row has a three-person bench seat, and the third row has a three-person bench. If you need easier access to the third row or prefer not to climb over a middle passenger, you can swap the second-row bench for captain's chairs — two individual seats with a console between them. This reduces seating to six passengers but gives you a center aisle to walk through.
Upholstery changes by trim. The SXT comes with cloth seats in a limited color palette. The R/T and GT step up to leather-trimmed seats with more color options. The Citadel offers premium leather with additional stitching and color choices, including two-tone combinations. All trims include power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support on higher trims. Heated front seats are standard on R/T and above; heated second-row seats are available on Citadel and R/T Plus.
The dashboard and door panels follow the same pattern: harder plastics on SXT, soft-touch materials on R/T and GT, and premium leather-wrapped steering wheel and trim pieces on Citadel. Storage includes a large center console with cupholders, door pockets, and under-seat storage on most trims.
Technology and Infotainment Packages
The SXT comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both wireless on higher trims), and a six-speaker audio system. Bluetooth is standard across all trims for phone calls and audio streaming.
The R/T upgrades to a 10.1-inch touchscreen with an integrated navigation system and an eight-speaker audio system. The GT and Citadel keep the 10.1-inch screen but add a 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system on Citadel. A Technology Package available on lower trims bundles navigation, premium audio, and a wireless charging pad for your phone. On Citadel, you can add a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera system, and adaptive cruise control as individual options or as part of a package.
All trims include a 7-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Higher trims offer a larger 12.3-inch digital cluster with customizable displays for navigation, fuel economy, and vehicle diagnostics.
Exterior Styling and Color Options
The 2025 Durango's exterior design is largely the same across all trims, but trim-specific details set them apart. The SXT and R/T have a straightforward grille and standard wheel designs. The GT adds a more aggressive front fascia, LED daytime running lights, and larger wheel options. The Citadel includes a unique grille design, LED headlights and taillights, and exclusive wheel finishes. The R/T Plus combines R/T performance styling with Citadel-level exterior details.
Paint colors include standard options like Bright White, Diamond Black, and Granite Pearl across all trims. Dodge also offers specialty colors like Destroyer Gray, Sinamon Stick, and Olive Green on higher trims. Metallic and pearl finishes cost extra. Roof color (body-color or black) can be selected on most trims. Wheel sizes range from 18 inches on SXT to 20 inches on Citadel, with multiple design options within each size.
Towing and Cargo Packages
If you plan to tow, the V8 engine is nearly essential. With the V6, maximum towing capacity is 3,600 pounds. With the V8, it jumps to 8,600 pounds — enough for most boat trailers, utility trailers, and small RVs. A Towing Package available on R/T and higher trims includes an integrated trailer brake controller, upgraded transmission cooling, a Class III hitch receiver, and wiring harness. Some packages also add a rear view camera with trailer guides to help you back up safely.
Cargo space is 38.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 76.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.5 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded. Roof rails are standard on most trims and can support a roof rack for additional storage. A roof rack package bundles the rails with crossbars and tie-down points.
Safety Features and Driver information Options
All 2025 Durango trims include standard safety features: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and a backup camera. The SXT and R/T include these as baseline; higher trims add more advanced versions.
Available driver information features include adaptive cruise control (maintains speed and distance from the car ahead), blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system that shows a bird's-eye view of the vehicle. These are often bundled into a Driver information Package rather than sold individually. Citadel and R/T Plus trims include some of these features standard or as lower-cost options compared to lower trims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the V8 engine on the SXT or R/T trim?
No. The 5.7-liter V8 is only available on R/T, GT, Citadel, and R/T Plus trims. The SXT is limited to the 3.6-liter V6. If V8 performance is important to you, the R/T is the entry point.
What's the difference between captain's chairs and a bench seat in the second row?
Captain's chairs are two individual seats with a console between them, reducing total seating from seven to six passengers but creating a center aisle for easier access to the third row. A bench seat fits three people across but requires climbing over the middle passenger to reach the back. Captain's chairs cost extra but are worth it if you frequently access the third row.
Does the 2025 Durango come with all-wheel drive standard?
No. Rear-wheel drive is standard on most trims with the V6 engine. All-wheel drive is available on all trims and comes standard on V8 models on most trims. Check the specific trim and engine combination when configuring, as this varies.
What's included in the Technology Package?
The Technology Package typically includes a larger touchscreen with integrated navigation, a premium audio system, and wireless phone charging. The exact contents vary by trim level. On SXT, it's a significant upgrade; on R/T and higher, some features are already standard.
How much does it cost to add captain's chairs or a sunroof?
Pricing for individual options and packages is set by Dodge and varies by trim and region. Your dealer can provide exact pricing when you configure a vehicle. Options typically range from a few hundred dollars for smaller upgrades to over $1,000 for major features like a panoramic sunroof.