The EPA rates the 2025 Dodge Durango RWD 3.6L 6-cyl at 20 MPG combined. This figure aligns with expectations for a large, rear-wheel-drive SUV with seating for seven and a reputation for capability. This vehicle is not designed to chase hybrid-like efficiency; its purpose is to offer space, utility, and that distinct Dodge attitude. Buyers drawn to the Durango prioritize towing capacity, a commanding road presence, and the confidence of a reliable powertrain, often seeing its fuel economy as a secondary, though still important, consideration, a known quantity alongside its other attributes. Its fuel economy is part of the package, a trade-off many make for a vehicle that can haul people, gear, or trailers without difficulty, embodying an American approach to SUV design that values power and presence.

City and highway performance

The 2025 Durango RWD 3.6L 6-cyl achieves an EPA-rated 18 MPG in city driving and 25 MPG on the highway. These numbers reflect the challenges of moving a vehicle of the Durango’s size and weight through stop-and-go traffic, where its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, while efficient for its class, still uses considerable energy to accelerate. The 8-speed automatic transmission helps achieve these figures; its wide gear ratios allow for quick acceleration and then settle into a relaxed, fuel-saving overdrive on the open road. The 25 MPG highway rating is respectable for a non-hybrid large SUV, showing that on longer journeys, the Durango can cruise efficiently, using its aerodynamic profile and the V6’s ability to operate in its most economical range. This split clearly indicates the typical use for most Durango owners: commuting or running errands in urban areas, and then easily covering highway miles on weekend adventures or family road trips. You’ll find more DURANGO MPG across all years on our site.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $2,200 for the 2025 Dodge Durango RWD 3.6L 6-cyl. This figure comes from the assumption of driving 15,000 miles per year, split evenly between city and highway driving, and using national average fuel prices, which fluctuate. For the Durango buyer, this $2,200 is a known quantity in their annual budget, an expense many have already factored in when considering a large, capable SUV. It is not an inconsiderable sum, but it is also not an outlier for the segment. This cost shows that while the Durango is not a gas guzzler, it is also not a penny-pincher; it delivers on its promise of power and utility, and the fuel cost is simply part of that equation. Owners appreciate the transparency of this estimate, allowing them to plan for the real-world operational expenses of their vehicle.

Real-world expectations

In the real world, owners of the 2025 Dodge Durango RWD 3.6L 6-cyl often report fuel economy figures that closely mirror or slightly exceed the EPA estimates, particularly on extended highway runs. Maintaining a steady speed on the highway, especially benefiting from the smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic, often allows drivers to see figures nearing or even surpassing the 25 MPG highway rating. Conversely, aggressive city driving, frequent short trips, or consistently hauling a full complement of passengers and cargo will naturally dip below the 18 MPG city rating. This vehicle is often chosen specifically for its towing ability, and when hitched to a trailer, fuel economy will invariably decrease, a widely accepted characteristic of towing with any vehicle. Drivers who understand this dynamic can easily manage their expectations, appreciating the V6’s strong performance when needed and its reasonable efficiency during typical commutes. Most Durango owners are not primarily focused on squeezing every last mile from the tank but rather on the reliable utility and spaciousness the vehicle provides, with fuel economy falling into a “good enough” category for its segment.

How it compares

When placed alongside its peers, the 2025 Dodge Durango RWD 3.6L 6-cyl holds its own. Consider the Chevrolet Traverse FWD with its 3.6L V6, which typically delivers 21 MPG combined (18 city/27 highway), slightly ahead on the highway. The Honda Pilot FWD with its 3.5L V6 is rated at 22 MPG combined (19 city/27 highway). The Durango’s combined 20 MPG (18 city/25 highway) is competitive, particularly considering its more muscular aesthetic and rear-wheel-drive architecture, which is not always offered in this specific sub-segment. Ford Explorer RWD models with the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine can achieve better figures, around 24 MPG combined (21 city/28 highway), but those buyers often prioritize efficiency over the Durango’s available V6 power and bolder styling. The Durango builds its niche by offering a blend of traditional SUV ruggedness with modern amenities, appealing to those who might cross-shop a more utilitarian full-size SUV but desire something slightly more refined and dynamically engaging. Shoppers buying the 3.6L Durango are typically content sacrificing a point or two of MPG for the distinct character and arguably superior base towing capacity it offers compared to FWD-biased crossovers.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Maintaining consistent tire pressure is important for any vehicle, and particularly critical for the Durango’s larger tires; underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, directly impacting your 18 MPG city and 25 MPG highway figures.

Smooth driving habits yield significant returns. Avoid aggressive acceleration and hard braking, as the 3.6L V6 works harder to overcome inertia, consuming more fuel. Anticipate traffic and coast whenever safely possible.

Reduce unnecessary weight. The Durango is already a substantial vehicle; shedding unneeded items from the cargo area means the engine is not constantly working to move extra mass, especially noticeable in city driving.

Use cruise control on the highway. Maintaining a steady speed on long stretches helps the 8-speed automatic transmission keep the engine in its most efficient operating range, boosting that 25 MPG highway rating consistently.

Regular maintenance, following all Dodge fuel economy data guidelines, ensures the engine runs optimally. Clean air filters and properly serviced spark plugs contribute directly to the V6’s efficiency, preventing it from consuming more fuel than necessary to produce power.