Dodge has done an amazing job “hot rodding” the Durango, but in the end, shackled by its original intent as a large SUV, it does stretch the case in the Dodge performance defined brand lineup. That does not defeat the argument that Dodge needs some type of high performance utility vehicle in its lineup and that I propose is the long, long, long awaited Journey replacement. The cautious, glacial pace of product development at FCA really shows here, frozen in place by restricted budgets and corporate priorities that help some brands at a cost to others, especially Dodge and Chrysler. I have put forward repeatedly a case for a downsized Grand Cherokee spinoff platform for three vehicles, a two row Cherokee replacement for Jeep, a three row SUV for Chrysler and a high performance crossover Journey replacement for Dodge. This downsized Grand Cherokee potentially overcomes all the shortcomings of the three brands and can be built on the same assembly line as the new GC. Time is wasting as we look for platform consolidation with Stellantis product, this plan is too good and too needed to ignore.
As for Durango, the next generation body on frame model becomes a Ram Durango and another brand is enhanced easily and consistent with brand image. I’m I out of sync here or does this case make sense?