Durango trims start with the Express, SE, SLT, and SXT family, with Heat as a sporty two-row offshoot and Special Service built for fleet duty. Crew, GT, and Rallye make up the mainstream comfort-and-style branch, while Limited, Citadel, and Anodized Platinum put upscale cabin feel first.
R/T is the HEMI V8 muscle branch. The one-year Limited Hybrid pairs an upscale cabin with a hybrid V8 and full-time four-wheel drive. SRT and SRT 392 models are the naturally aspirated performance branch, while SRT Hellcat models sit at the top with a 710-hp supercharged V8.
What each trim is known for
Base Model
ExpressHeatSESLTSXTSXT Launch EditionSXT PlusSpecial Service
The Base Model trim level—Express, Heat, SE, SLT, the SXT family, and Special Service—is the practical entry branch, centered on V6 utility, with Heat trading the third row for cargo space and Special Service built for fleet duty.
Best for: Families seeking straightforward Durango space and value, plus fleet buyers considering Special Service.
Highlights
V6-centered everyday power
Practical passenger and cargo layouts
Core safety and convenience equipment
Heat's two-row sport layout or Special Service's heavy-duty fleet hardware
CrewGTGT HEMIGT HEMI PlusGT HEMI Plus America 250 EditionGT HEMI PremiumGT HEMI Premium America 250 EditionGT Launch EditionGT PlusGT Plus America 250 Edition+3 more
GT PremiumGT RallyeRallye
The Mid-Level trim level—Crew and the GT and Rallye family—is the everyday comfort-and-style branch, ranging from V6 family models to later HEMI-powered GT versions.
Best for: Families who want more comfort and a sportier look without moving into a dedicated performance model.
Highlights
Three-row, seven-passenger focus
Heated seating and easy-to-use cabin technology
GT and Rallye sport appearance
Later Plus and Premium models add leather, ventilation, and richer audio
Adds a more polished cabin and sportier presentation over the entry models; later GT Plus and Premium versions bring leather, ventilated seats, and more driver assistance, while GT HEMI models add a 360-hp V8 and AWD.
The Premium Comfort trim level—Limited, Citadel, and Anodized Platinum—is the luxury-leaning Durango branch, known for leather, polished trim, and comfort-first equipment rather than a performance theme.
Best for: Shoppers who value a quieter-looking, more polished family SUV over muscle-car styling.
Highlights
Leather-trimmed seating
Upscale cabin and exterior detailing
Comfort and convenience focus
Citadel models emphasize a sunroof and broader driver assistance
Moves beyond the Crew and GT group's sporty family focus with richer materials and a more polished presentation; exact equipment differs among Limited, Citadel, and Anodized Platinum years.
The Sport Styling trim level—the R/T family, including R/T 392—is the muscle-flavored family branch, pairing HEMI V8 power and a performance look with progressively stronger chassis hardware.
Best for: Drivers who want V8 sound, towing strength, and a sportier road feel while keeping the Durango's family usefulness.
Highlights
5.7L HEMI V8 on regular R/T models
475-hp 6.4L HEMI V8 on R/T 392
Performance hood and muscle-inspired styling
R/T 392 adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, and limited-slip rear differential
Shifts the focus from comfort to V8 performance: regular R/T models bring the 5.7L HEMI, while R/T 392 models add a 475-hp 6.4L V8 and more serious chassis hardware.
The Hybrid trim level—the 2009 Limited Hybrid—is the efficiency-and-technology Durango, combining an upscale three-row cabin with a two-mode hybrid V8 and full-time four-wheel drive.
Best for: Used-SUV shoppers who want early hybrid technology without giving up three rows or traditional Durango capability.
Highlights
Two-mode 5.7L HEMI V8 hybrid with two electric motors
Full-time four-wheel drive
Heated leather-trimmed front seats
Touchscreen navigation and hybrid information display
Branches away from the R/T's performance mission, pairing the Limited cabin with a hybrid 5.7L HEMI V8, two electric motors, and full-time four-wheel drive for a more efficiency-led 2009 Durango.
The High Performance trim level—the SRT, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat families, including AlcHEMI, Jailbreak, Brass Monkey, Hammerhead, and Silver Bullet editions—is the factory performance branch, with track-style hardware and either a 475-hp 6.4L V8 or a 710-hp supercharged V8.
Best for: Drivers who want dedicated performance hardware in a practical SUV and accept that speed is the main priority.
Highlights
475-hp 6.4L V8 in SRT and SRT 392 models
710-hp supercharged 6.2L V8 in Hellcat models
Performance-tuned AWD and adaptive suspension
Large Brembo brakes and SRT drive controls
Moves from the one-year hybrid's efficiency focus to dedicated performance: SRT 392 uses a 475-hp 6.4L V8, while Hellcat models add a 710-hp supercharged 6.2L V8; Plus, Premium, and special editions layer on comfort or appearance details.
AWD; R/T 392 adds adaptive suspension and Brembo brakes
Comfort-first road manners
Performance AWD, adaptive suspension, and Brembo brakes
Cabin emphasis
Heated leather front seats
Heated seating; later Plus and Premium trims add leather and ventilation
Core comfort; later SXT models add heated seats
Muscle styling; Plus and Premium trims add richer comfort
Leather and upscale trim
Performance seats; Premium editions add richer trim and audio
Seating and layout
Three-row seating
Seven-passenger focus
Family layouts; Heat has two rows and five seats
Family seating remains part of the mission
Anodized Platinum has six seats; layouts otherwise vary
Varies; some Hellcats use a five-passenger layout
Standout branch
Single-year Limited Hybrid
Rallye for V6 style; GT HEMI for V8 power
Heat for sport style; Special Service for fleet duty
R/T 392 for stronger performance hardware
Citadel and Anodized Platinum for a dressier feel
Hellcat for supercharged power; special editions for distinct factory themes
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between the SXT and GT?
On years when both appear, the SXT is the simpler V6 family model. The GT is the sportier-looking V6 step and generally carries more comfort and technology. Exact equipment changed over time, so two used examples may differ.
What does the GT Plus add over the GT?
On newer models, the GT Plus keeps the 295-hp V6 but adds standard AWD, Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a sunroof, adaptive cruise control and upgraded power-seat controls.
What’s the difference between the GT and GT HEMI?
In the newest lineup, the GT uses a 295-hp V6, while the GT HEMI has a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8 and standard AWD. The HEMI model also adds performance-tuned steering and suspension, upgraded audio, wireless charging and a power liftgate.
How does the GT HEMI Premium differ from the GT HEMI Plus?
On newer models, both have the 360-hp V8, AWD, leather seating, ventilated front seats and a sunroof. Premium adds richer cabin trim, a suede headliner, forged carbon accents, stronger Harman Kardon audio and added lane support.
What’s the difference between the GT and R/T?
It depends on the era. Through many recent years, the GT used a V6 and the R/T used a 5.7-liter V8. In the newest lineup, the R/T 392 uses a 475-hp 6.4-liter V8, while the GT HEMI fills the 5.7-liter V8 role.
What does the R/T Plus add over the regular R/T?
On newer 5.7-liter R/T models, R/T Plus adds the family-friendly upgrades: Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, lane support and factory trailer hardware.
What’s the difference between R/T Plus and R/T Premium?
On newer 5.7-liter models, R/T Plus focuses on comfort, driver assistance and towing equipment. R/T Premium adds a richer cabin with a hand-wrapped dashboard, forged carbon-fiber accents and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
How does the R/T 392 compare with the SRT Hellcat?
The R/T 392 uses a naturally aspirated 475-hp 6.4-liter V8. The SRT Hellcat uses a supercharged 710-hp 6.2-liter V8. Both have performance-tuned AWD, adaptive suspension and large Brembo brakes, but the Hellcat delivers far more power.
Are the SRT and SRT 392 different trims?
They are usually different names for the Durango’s naturally aspirated 6.4-liter performance model across different eras. The 392 badge identifies the 6.4-liter HEMI version. Cabin features and equipment packages still vary by model year.
What does the SRT Hellcat Jailbreak add over the regular Hellcat?
Jailbreak keeps the regular Hellcat’s 710-hp supercharged V8, performance AWD, adaptive suspension and Brembo brakes. It adds forged carbon-fiber cabin trim, a Jailbreak dashboard badge and a wider range of factory-built appearance and seating combinations.
What is a Rallye or GT Rallye Durango?
Rallye is a sport-appearance V6 Durango. Depending on the era, it may be called Rallye or GT Rallye. It brings more aggressive bodywork, wheels or performance-style exterior pieces without moving to a HEMI V8.
Which Durango trim should I look for if I want a V8 but not a Hellcat?
For many used years, the R/T is the straightforward 5.7-liter V8 choice. In the newest lineup, GT HEMI fills that role, while R/T 392 steps up to a 475-hp 6.4-liter V8 with stronger brakes and adaptive suspension.
What does Tow N Go add to an R/T?
On R/T models equipped with it, Tow N Go adds performance and towing hardware such as Brembo brakes, adaptive suspension, an active exhaust and factory trailer equipment. Properly equipped versions are rated to tow up to 8,700 pounds.
Which Durango trims focus more on comfort than performance?
In older lineups, Limited and Citadel are the comfort-focused choices, with Citadel positioned above Limited. In newer lineups, GT Plus and GT Premium fill a similar role by pairing V6 power with leather seating and added everyday conveniences.
