Best 2022 Dodge Durango SXT Specs, Price & Review
The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT is the base entry point of the Durango lineup, and it is one of the most capable three-row SUVs you can buy at its price point.
While most family SUVs have gone soft and crossover-shaped, the Durango has stayed true to its roots — big, bold, body-on-frame in attitude, and built for families who actually need to tow something on the weekend.
The SXT trim in 2022 received several meaningful upgrades over the previous year, making it a smarter and more competitive package than it has ever been.
This review covers everything a buyer needs to know about the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT — engine specs, real-world performance, interior space, technology, safety, pricing, and a straight verdict on who this vehicle is best suited for.
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2022 Dodge Durango SXT: Quick Specs Overview
Before diving into the detail, here is a quick look at the key numbers for the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT:
- Starting MSRP: $37,760 (RWD) / $41,260 (AWD)
- Engine: 3.6L Pentastar V6 — 293 hp at 6,400 rpm
- Torque: 260 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic (850RE)
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive standard, AWD optional
- Seating: 7 passengers, 3 rows (standard for 2022)
- Towing Capacity: Up to 6,200 lbs with Trailer Tow Group
- Fuel Economy RWD: 19 city / 26 highway MPG
- Fuel Economy AWD: 17 city / 24 highway MPG
- Cargo behind 3rd row: 17.2 cubic feet
- Cargo behind 2nd row: 43.3 cubic feet
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
2022 Dodge Durango SXT Engine and Performance
Every 2022 Dodge Durango SXT comes with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. This is one of the most well-tested engines in the Chrysler family, having powered millions of vehicles across multiple brands over the past decade.
It produces 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and it is paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission that does a good job keeping the engine in its power band during everyday driving.
In daily use, the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT moves confidently. Getting onto the highway, pulling away from traffic lights with a full load of passengers, or climbing a moderate hill — the V6 handles all of it without feeling strained. The 8-speed transmission shifts smoothly in normal driving and responds quickly when you need to accelerate in a hurry.
Towing is one of the strongest selling points of the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT. With the available Trailer Tow Group package added, the V6 SXT is rated to tow up to 6,200 pounds. That number puts it ahead of several competitors’ base engines.
If you regularly pull a boat, a small camper, or a utility trailer, the SXT handles that work without needing to pay the premium for the V8 R/T trim. Fuel economy comes in at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for rear-wheel drive, or 17 city and 24 highway for the AWD version.
These figures are not the best in the class — the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are more efficient — but they are reasonable for a vehicle of this size and capability. Real-world highway driving in the RWD configuration typically lands around 23 to 25 mpg, which is workable for most families.
Handling is what you would expect from a large American SUV. It is stable and planted on the highway, the Durango tracks straight and true on open roads, and the steering is confident without being overly communicative.
In tight corners there is noticeable body roll — this is not a vehicle that pretends to handle like a sports car. It is a comfortable, composed family hauler that does not feel overwhelming to drive despite its size.
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2022 Dodge Durango SXT Interior: Space and Comfort
The interior of the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT is one of its genuine strengths. The cabin is wide and open-feeling, with front and second-row passengers enjoying generous headroom and legroom. On a long road trip, nobody in the first two rows is going to be complaining about space.
The third row is more nuanced. For children and shorter adults, it is perfectly comfortable for regular use. For tall adults, it works for shorter trips but becomes uncomfortable over longer distances. Accessing the third row is reasonably straightforward — the second-row seats slide and tilt forward with a reasonable amount of effort, which matters when you are loading and unloading children multiple times a day.
Material quality inside the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT is a mixed story. The interior design itself has real character — the horizontal dashboard lines, the prominent center stack, and the available red accent lighting give it a distinctive look that base trims of competing vehicles rarely match.
However, some of the surfaces use harder plastics than rivals like the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade at similar price points. Buyers who prioritize premium soft-touch materials everywhere may find the SXT a step behind. Buyers who care more about space, capability, and character tend to overlook it.
The standard cloth seats in the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT are comfortable and well-bolstered. The power driver’s seat — newly made standard for the 2022 model year — adjusts through a good range of positions and makes it easy for different drivers to find a comfortable setup. This was a meaningful addition for 2022 and one that brings the SXT more in line with what buyers reasonably expect at this price.
Storage throughout the cabin is generous. The center console is deep, door pockets are large, there are multiple USB ports front and rear, and a standard 115-volt household power outlet is included. That three-prong outlet is one of those features you do not think about until you need it on a long drive — and then it becomes one of your favorite things about the vehicle.
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2022 Dodge Durango SXT Technology and Infotainment
The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT comes standard with Dodge’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system on an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Uconnect has been one of the better infotainment systems in the industry for years, and the fifth generation continues that reputation.
The interface is logical, response time is fast, and the learning curve is shallow. You can navigate the basics within the first few minutes without needing the owner’s manual.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard, which is what most buyers use as their primary phone interface. The system also includes Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming, satellite radio capability, and USB connectivity for both front and rear passengers.
An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen is available as an option. The larger display is noticeably sharper and feels more modern, which is worth considering if you rely heavily on the native navigation or the vehicle’s built-in media management. For buyers who primarily use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the standard 8.4-inch screen is completely adequate.
The available Wi-Fi hotspot capability turns the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT into a rolling connection point for up to eight devices simultaneously. On long family road trips, this feature moves quickly from convenience to necessity.
The driver instrument cluster is a conventional analog setup with a digital information display in the center. It is clear and easy to read at a glance. Some competing vehicles in 2022 offer fully digital instrument clusters at this price point, and the Durango’s analog setup does feel a generation behind by comparison. It is functional but not particularly modern-feeling.
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2022 Dodge Durango SXT Safety Features
The safety equipment on the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT covers the fundamentals well. Standard on every SXT are the following:
- Backup camera with rear cross-path detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear parking sensors
- Brake assist
- Electronic stability control
- Traction control
- Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
- Full airbag suite — front, side, curtain, and driver knee airbag
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Child safety locks
Forward collision warning is available on the SXT through option packages. It alerts the driver to a potential frontal collision but does not automatically apply the brakes on its own. Automatic emergency braking — which does apply the brakes without driver input — is not standard on the SXT and requires moving up in the lineup or adding specific packages.
This is the most notable gap in the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT’s safety story. Kia, Hyundai, and Honda all include automatic emergency braking as standard equipment on their base three-row trims.
Lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control are also available through packages on the SXT. For buyers who want the full active safety suite, these packages are worth adding at purchase since they cannot be added later.
The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Durango Top Safety Pick recognition when equipped with specific headlight configurations. The base headlight setup on the SXT did not earn the same marks on its own, which makes the LED headlight upgrade worth considering for buyers who prioritize IIHS ratings.
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2022 Dodge Durango SXT Standard Features List
The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT comes with a strong list of standard equipment for a base trim. Here is what every SXT includes without adding any options:
- 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine with 8-speed automatic
- Standard three-row seating for seven (new for 2022)
- 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Power driver’s seat (newly standard for 2022)
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- LED headlights and LED fog lights
- Bright roof rails
- Rear parking sensors
- Backup camera with rear cross-path detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Remote keyless entry with push-button start
- Auto-dimming driver’s side mirror
- 18-inch painted aluminum wheels
- 115-volt household power outlet
- Satellite radio capability
- Cloth bucket seats with leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Luggage rack with rails
That is a strong list for a base trim at this price. Tri-zone automatic climate control, LED lighting, and a power driver’s seat are features that require stepping up to mid trims in several competing vehicles.
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2022 Dodge Durango SXT Price and Value
The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT starts at $37,760 for rear-wheel drive and $41,260 for all-wheel drive. As-tested prices with commonly chosen option packages typically land between $40,000 and $45,000, depending on what you add.
Against its main competitors, the pricing is honest. The Ford Explorer XLT starts slightly lower at around $36,760 but needs more option spending to reach the feature level the SXT delivers at base. The Chevrolet Traverse LS comes in cheaper but feels it in interior quality and refinement.
The Kia Telluride LX, widely considered the value benchmark of this segment, starts around $36,190 — slightly less — but brings a less powerful base engine and significantly less towing capability. The honest assessment of the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT is that it delivers more standard content than most shoppers expect from a base trim.
Buyers who do a proper feature-by-feature comparison and add equivalent options to competing vehicles frequently find that the Durango SXT offers better overall value — particularly for families who care about towing capacity. The trim levels above the SXT are the GT, R/T, Citadel, and the performance SRT 392.
The GT adds heated front seats, heated steering wheel, remote start, and a power liftgate — making it the sweet spot of the lineup if budget allows. But for buyers who need all seven seats, solid towing, and a modern infotainment system at the most accessible price, the SXT delivers on every front.
2022 Dodge Durango SXT: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Standard three-row seating for seven passengers in 2022
- Strong towing capacity — up to 6,200 lbs
- Excellent Uconnect 5 infotainment system
- Spacious first and second rows
- Distinctive styling — not a generic crossover look
- Power driver’s seat now standard
- LED headlights and fog lights included at base
- Tri-zone automatic climate control standard
- Household power outlet included
- Competitive pricing for the feature level offered
Cons:
- Automatic emergency braking not standard
- Some hard plastics in the interior
- Fuel economy trails key competitors
- Third row tight for taller adults
- Older platform compared to some newer rivals
- Body roll noticeable in corners
- Fully digital instrument cluster not available
Who Should Buy the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT?
The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT is built for a specific buyer and it serves that buyer very well.
If you are a family of five to seven who needs genuine third-row access on a regular basis, a towing capacity above 5,000 pounds, a modern infotainment system with wireless phone integration, and a vehicle that carries itself with presence on the road — the SXT covers every requirement at a price that does not demand stepping up to the GT or R/T.
It is also a strong choice for buyers who spend significant time on the highway. The V6 Durango is a relaxed, composed long-distance cruiser. The cabin stays quiet at highway speeds, the suspension absorbs road imperfections well, and the long wheelbase gives it a settled, confident feel that shorter crossovers simply cannot match.
The buyer who should look elsewhere is one for whom advanced driver assistance technology at the base trim level is non-negotiable.
If automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a full active safety suite are absolute requirements without adding packages, the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade deliver more of those features at their base trim levels. The Durango requires option package additions to reach that level on the SXT.
2022 Dodge Durango SXT: Final Verdict
The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT is a genuinely capable, well-rounded entry into a competitive segment — and it earns its place through real strengths rather than marketing.
Standard three-row seating, class-competitive towing capability, excellent Uconnect 5 technology, and a freshly improved standard features list for 2022 all make the SXT a smarter buy than its base trim status might suggest.
Its weaknesses are real — the safety tech story at base trim leaves something to be desired compared to Korean rivals, and the interior materials show their budget origins in certain areas.
But the Durango SXT offers something the Telluride and most other three-row SUVs in this space cannot match: genuine towing muscle, a bold road presence, and the kind of American character that resonates with buyers who want a real truck-based SUV rather than a tall hatchback with a third row bolted on.
For the right buyer, the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT is an easy recommendation.
FAQs
What engine does the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT have?
The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT comes standard with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
How many passengers does the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT seat?
The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT seats seven passengers across three rows. Three-row seating became standard across all Durango trims for the 2022 model year.
What is the towing capacity of the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT?
With the Trailer Tow Group package, the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT is rated to tow up to 6,200 pounds — a strong figure for a V6-powered three-row SUV in this price range.
Is the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT available with all-wheel drive?
Yes. The 2022 Dodge Durango SXT is available in both rear-wheel drive (standard) and all-wheel drive (optional). The AWD version starts at $41,260 and delivers better traction in wet and snowy conditions.
What safety features come standard on the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT?
Standard safety features on the 2022 Dodge Durango SXT include a backup camera with rear cross-path detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, ABS, stability control, brake assist, and a full airbag suite. Automatic emergency braking is not standard and requires an option package.
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