Dodge Durango...Continued

Styling alone will sell lots of Durangos. It has the same rugged and bold presence pioneered with the big RAM, and successfully carried over to the Dakota. It will be a hard product to keep in Texas showrooms, based on the crowds and admiring looks it attracted.

"We are in an enviable position," said Ray Fisher, Dodge Division General Manager. "Compared with compact SUV competitors, Durango is larger, more powerful, roomier, tows more, hauls more and is the only one with eight-passenger capability, yet is priced competitively." Durango enters the SUV market with a "right-size" package (youâre going to hear this phrase a lot!) that combines the best attributes of the compact market -- nimble ride and handling, maneuverability and comfort -- with load carrying features most of the compact market lacks.

In order to get the extra room inside, Dodge engineers widened the frame in the passenger area, allowing the floor to drop for more people space. The lower floor pan and raised roof allows an additional four inches that normally would not be there if only Dakota components were used. Durango will come with either bucket seats or a 40-20-40 front seat; a configuration pioneered by the full size RAM.

The optional third-seat arrangement only exists in the Expedition/Navigator, and is surprisingly spacious, although adults will sit there only for short trips or under duress. A similar configuration with fold and tumble outboard sections in the second row allows reasonable access to the rear -- much easier than the largest sport ute on the market. Eight occupants are possible, but look for seven to be more common.

I was quite comfortable in the second seat, and would leave the optional third chairs for the youngest of the travelers. At the same time, it required no gymnastics to get into the back, and even with the raised seating, there was good head room.