A REVIEW: The Dodge Durango GT Brass Monkey AWD

By Darlene Donloe

THE CAR: Dodge Durango GT Brass Monkey AWD

I recently drove the Dodge Durango GT Brass Monkey AWD. It’s bold in its appearance! It came with an octane red pearl-coat exterior, a black interior and leather-trimmed bucket seats. Come on now, this car IS the business! It’s the big guy on campus, the Homecoming King and the Super Bowl MVP all rolled up into one.  Yeah, I said it, because it’s true. This is an SUV with an attitude!!

You have lots of choices when it comes to an SUV. But, one of the best choices is the 2017 Dodge Durango. 

I bet you’re wondering where the Brass Monkey comes in!  Well, the name has been used before. It actually refers to the 20-inch burnished bronze aluminum wheels. I secretly wish there was a more mysterious meaning. 

This is a sporty muscle car. It’s sportier than most SUVs. While it drives great on the streets and the highways, it’s just as good off road. It has a lot of power. It drives well. The ride is actually OK on the gravel and rocks. The suspension is relaxed and great on the highway. With its sporty design, The Durango stands out, couple that with the fact that it has a lot of power and drives well – and you have a SUV in full effect. This SUV is ready to go cruising? Bottom line, the Dodge Durango GT Brass Monkey AWD is fun to drive. 

VEHICLE AT A GLANCE: Engine
 3.6L V6, Power
 295 HP / 260 LB-FT,
Transmission 
8-speed automatic, drivetrain
 all-wheel drive, engine placement 
front,

curb weigh t
4,987 LBS, Cargo
 84.5 CU FT, driver inflatable knee-bolster airbag, supplemental side-curtain airbags in all rows, supplemental front seat-mounted side airbags, LATCH ready child seat anchor system, black rotary shifter, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, selectable steering modes, electric power steering, ParkView rear back-up camera, keyless Go, remote start system, trailer sway damping, heated front seats,  heated steering wheel, air conditioning, 8.4-inch touchscreen display, UCONNECT 8.4, UCONNECT Access six-month trial (registration required).

MSRP: $49,660

FUEL ECONOMY: 18/25

THE DRIVE: ON POINT!

A REVIEW: The 2017 Dodge Journey GT Blacktop AWD

By Darlene Donloe

THE CAR: 2017 Dodge Journey GT Blacktop AWD

I drove the Redline 2K exterior and black and red interior colors with leather trimmed seats and perforated panels. It’s a comfy, good-looking, affordable, family-friendly SUV with three rows of seats. There is an optional feature-packed 8.4-inch touchscreen that has a contemporary design that is practical and user-friendly. Interior materials are upgraded.

The ride is OK. It’s quiet!  Surprisingly, even though this is a behemoth vehicle, for the most part it handles well and the drive is smooth – even over bumps.  It goes from 0-60 in 7.8 seconds with a top speed of 118 mph.

The 2017 Dodge Journey, available in five and seven passenger configurations, is available in five trim levels: base GT, SE, Crossroad, SXT and Crossroad Plus.

The GT is rather cool and hot!  It has a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, heated front seat and automatic headlights.

If you lower all the seats you can get 67.6 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, which is an average capacity among small crossovers. Unfortunately, the fuel economy is not great!

VEHICLE AT A GLANCE: Engine: 3.6-Liter, V6 24-valve VVT Engine; Transmission: 6-speed automatic 62TE Transmission, advanced multistage front airbags, supplemental side-curtain airbags in all rows, active head restraints, remote start system, Keyless Go®, security alarm, high performance suspension, electronic stability control, anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, 21.1 gallon fuel tank, radio 8.4 8.4 inch touchscreen display, 6-premium Alpine® speaker with subwoofer, 368 watt amplifier, SiriusXM® sat radio with one year radio subscription, heated from seats, heated steering wheel, power 6-way driver seat, power 4-way driver lumbar adjust, front passenger fold flat seat, passenger in-seat cushion storage, second row in-floor storage bins, rear reclining/fold flat seat, second row 40/60 seat with fore/aft adjust, remote USB port, 12 volt DC front and rear power outlets, 115 volt auxiliary power outlet, 19-inch x 7.0-inch painted aluminum wheels, fog lamps, power heated exterior mirrors with manual fold-away.

MSRP: $38,050

FUEL ECONOMY: 16/24

THE DRIVE: OK!

Darlene Donloe is a seasoned entertainment and travel journalist whose work has appeared in People, Ebony, Essence, LA Stage Times, This Stage, LA Watts Times, The Compton Herald, Black Meetings and Tourism, Los Angeles Sentinel, EMMY, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Grammy and more. Contact her via: ddonloe@gmail.com