2018 Dodge Durango MPG Revealed: Real-world Vs Window Sticker
- 01. 2018 Dodge Durango Miles Per Gallon: Exact EPA Ratings and Real-World Fuel Economy
- 02. Detailed MPG Breakdown by Engine and Drivetrain
- 03. Real-World Fuel Economy vs. EPA Ratings
- 04. MPG by Trim Level Configuration
- 05. Annual Fuel Cost Analysis
- 06. Fuel Tank Capacity and Driving Range
- 07. How the 2018 Durango Compares to Competitors
- 08. Key Fuel Economy Features and Technology
2018 Dodge Durango Miles Per Gallon: Exact EPA Ratings and Real-World Fuel Economy
The 2018 Dodge Durango achieves 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with its standard 3.6-liter V6 engine in rear-wheel drive, delivering 21 mpg combined according to official EPA ratings. All-wheel drive V6 models drop slightly to 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (21 mpg combined), while the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 returns 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (17 mpg combined). The performance-oriented SRT trim with a 6.4-liter V8 achieves the lowest fuel economy at 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (15 mpg combined). Real-world owner data from over 6,400 fuel-ups shows an average of 17.67 mpg combined across all 2018 Durango configurations.
Detailed MPG Breakdown by Engine and Drivetrain
Understanding the fuel economy variations across different 2018 Durango configurations is essential for buyers prioritizing efficiency versus performance. The EPA tested five distinct powertrain combinations, each with specific fuel requirements and mileage ratings that significantly impact annual fuel costs.
| Configuration | Engine | Fuel Type | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Gallons/100 Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWD V6 | 3.6L 6-cyl | Regular | 19 | 26 | 21 | 4.8 |
| AWD V6 | 3.6L 6-cyl | Regular | 18 | 25 | 21 | 4.8 |
| RWD V8 | 5.7L 8-cyl | Midgrade | 14 | 22 | 17 | 5.9 |
| AWD V8 | 5.7L 8-cyl | Midgrade | 14 | 22 | 17 | 5.9 |
| AWD SRT | 6.4L 8-cyl | Premium | 13 | 19 | 15 | 6.7 |
This comprehensive MPG table demonstrates that drivetrain choice affects city mileage more than highway performance, with AWD reducing city efficiency by 1 mpg across both engine options.
Real-World Fuel Economy vs. EPA Ratings
Actual owner-reported fuel economy often differs from laboratory EPA testing conditions, and the 2018 Durango is no exception to this pattern. Fuelly.com aggregated data from 67 vehicles totaling 1,908,639 miles of real-world driving, showing a combined average of 17.62 mpg with a 0.13 mpg margin of error. This real-world average falls slightly below the EPA combined rating for V6 models but aligns closely with V8 performance.
CarAndDriver conducted independent highway fuel-economy testing using their standardized 200-mile I-94 loop at 75 mph with cruise control engaged. Their V6 GT AWD test vehicle recorded 22 mpg on the highway loop, falling 3 mpg short of the EPA's 25 mpg highway rating. Surprisingly, their V8-powered R/T AWD test vehicle returned 23 mpg, actually exceeding its EPA highway rating by 1 mpg.
"The V-8 Durango outperformed an all-wheel-drive, V-6-powered Acadia on the same loop; the Acadia saw a disappointing 20 mpg, 5 mpg less than its EPA estimate."
MotorTrend's long-term test of a 2018 Durango R/T logged an average of 16.9 mpg across mixed driving conditions including towing, hauling, and performance testing. Their worst tank reached 14.4 mpg during aggressive performance testing, while a 2,000-mile round-trip journey between Detroit and Vicksburg, Mississippi achieved 18.9 mpg. Notably, this overall average topped both the EPA city estimate (14 mpg) and RealMPG city estimate (16.0 mpg).
MPG by Trim Level Configuration
Different 2018 Durango trims come with specific engine and drivetrain combinations that determine their fuel economy ratings. Edmunds compiled trim-specific data showing how configuration choices directly impact mileage.
- SXT (RWD): 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway / 21 mpg combined
- SXT (AWD): 18 mpg city / 25 mpg highway / 21 mpg combined
- GT (RWD): 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway / 21 mpg combined
- GT (AWD): 18 mpg city / 25 mpg highway / 21 mpg combined
- R/T (AWD): 14 mpg city / 22 mpg highway / 17 mpg combined
- Citadel (RWD): 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway / 21 mpg combined
- Citadel (AWD): 18 mpg city / 25 mpg highway / 21 mpg combined
- Anodized Platinum (RWD): 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway / 21 mpg combined
- Anodized Platinum (AWD): 18 mpg city / 25 mpg highway / 21 mpg combined
- SRT (AWD): 13 mpg city / 19 mpg highway / 15 mpg combined
This trim-level breakdown reveals that most mainstream trims share identical V6 powertrains, while performance trims (R/T and SRT) sacrifice significant fuel economy for additional horsepower.
Annual Fuel Cost Analysis
Understanding real-world fuel expenses requires calculating annual costs based on typical driving patterns. The EPA assumes 15,000 miles driven annually with 55% city and 45% highway distribution.
- V6 RWD (21 mpg combined): Requires 714 gallons annually at $3.50/gallon = $2,499/year
- V6 AWD (21 mpg combined): Requires 714 gallons annually at $3.50/gallon = $2,499/year
- V8 RWD/AWD (17 mpg combined): Requires 882 gallons annually at $3.50/gallon = $3,087/year
- SRT (15 mpg combined): Requires 1,000 gallons annually at $3.80/gallon (premium) = $3,800/year
Choosing the V6 over the V8 saves approximately $588 annually in fuel costs, while the SRT trim costs $1,301 more per year than the V6 when accounting for premium fuel requirements.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Driving Range
The 2018 Durango features a 24.6-gallon fuel tank across all configurations, enabling substantial driving range between refueling stops. This large tank capacity is particularly valuable for families undertaking long road trips or towing applications.
| Configuration | Fuel Tank (gallons) | Estimated City Range | Estimated Highway Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| V6 RWD | 24.6 | 467 miles | 640 miles |
| V6 AWD | 24.6 | 443 miles | 615 miles |
| V8 RWD/AWD | 24.6 | 344 miles | 541 miles |
| SRT AWD | 24.6 | 320 miles | 467 miles |
MotorTrend's testing confirmed that the V6 AWD should provide 540 miles of highway cruising range, while the V8 R/T surprisingly delivered 570 miles due to exceeding its EPA highway rating. One owner reported driving upwards of 600 miles on a single tank with the V6 engine.
How the 2018 Durango Compares to Competitors
The 2018 Durango's fuel economy sits mid-pack among three-row SUVs when compared to key rivals in the mainstream segment. The Honda Pilot with its nine-speed automatic transmission achieves slightly better efficiency, while the GMC Acadia V-6 matches the Durango V-6 on highway driving.
However, the Durango falls behind four-cylinder turbo competitors as the industry downsizes engine displacement and adds forced induction. Ratings of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for RWD Durangos aren't terrible, but they lag behind newer turbocharged alternatives.
The crucial differentiator remains the Durango's class-leading towing capacity. The V-8 with rear-wheel drive tow rating of 7,400 pounds places it way ahead of the class, and the 6.4-liter V8 SRT can tow up to 8,700 pounds. This makes the Durango the only mainstream three-row crossover capable of towing more than 5,000 pounds consistently.
Key Fuel Economy Features and Technology
The 2018 Durango achieves its fuel efficiency through several engineering innovations beyond just engine selection. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission optimizes gear ratios for both acceleration and cruising efficiency.
The V6 engine kicks out an impressive 295 horsepower while still achieving
Everything you need to know about 2018 Dodge Durango Miles Per Gallon
What is the best MPG for a 2018 Dodge Durango?
The best fuel economy goes to V6 rear-wheel drive models at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. All-wheel drive V6 models achieve nearly identical 21 mpg combined despite the 1 mpg city penalty.
Does the 2018 Dodge Durango get 20 mpg?
V6 models achieve 21 mpg combined according to EPA ratings, exceeding 20 mpg. V8 models only achieve 17 mpg combined, falling short of 20 mpg. Real-world owner averages show 17.67 mpg combined across all configurations.
What is the difference in MPG between V6 and V8 Durango?
The V6 achieves 21 mpg combined while the V8 achieves 17 mpg combined, a 4 mpg difference. City driving shows the largest gap at 5 mpg (19 vs 14), while highway差距 is 4 mpg (26 vs 22).
Is the 2018 Dodge Durango fuel efficient?
For a three-row SUV with towing capability, the V6 Durango offers competitive fuel efficiency at 21 mpg combined. However, it falls behind four-cylinder turbo competitors and the Honda Pilot's nine-speed transmission. The V8 trades efficiency for best-in-class towing power.
How does all-wheel drive affect Durango MPG?
AWD reduces city mileage by 1 mpg for both V6 (19→18) and V8 (14→14, no change) configurations. Highway mileage drops 1 mpg for V6 (26→25) but remains unchanged for V8 (22 mpg). Combined MPG stays at 21 for V6 AWD and 17 for V8 AWD.
What fuel type does each 2018 Durango engine require?
The 3.6L V6 requires regular gasoline at $3.50/gallon average. The 5.7L Hemi V8 requires midgrade gasoline, typically $0.30-0.50 more per gallon. The 6.4L SRT V8 demands premium gasoline at approximately $3.80/gallon.
What is the actual real-world MPG for 2018 Durango owners?
Real-world data from 6,401 fuel-ups and 1,908,639 miles shows 17.62 mpg combined average. This is lower than EPA V6 ratings but aligns with V8 performance, reflecting mixed driving across all configurations. Long-term test vehicles achieved 16.9 mpg average with heavy towing use.
Does the 2018 Durango SRT get good gas mileage?
No, the SRT achieves the lowest fuel economy at 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined. One test drive averaged only 12.9 mpg in real-world conditions. However, this 6.4L V8 produces 475 horsepower and enables 8,700-pound towing capacity.