The R/T can also be had in rear wheel drive only, which is what I have. The SRT is all wheel drive only, and to me that is a negative. I know plenty of people like AWD (and I get why it appeals to them), but to me its unnecessary weight and complexity. I probably would have shopped SRT when I was looking if it came in a RWD option. On the other hand, the delta between the SRT and R/T was huge and past the point of diminishing returns.
After driving RWD and 4×4 vehicles most of my life, i can tell you that the AWD system in my 2024 DD SRT 392 is a gane changer where traction is concerned, and after all, "spinnin' ain't winnin'" , especially during drag race situations. The vehicle does 0-60 in 4.1s and is violent off the line. I tell people to go ahead and put their head against the headrest, before the SRT does it dor them! In low traction situations like heavy rain, it is awesome too and you can feel the extra traction being offered as the drive wheel(s) become the one(sl with the most traction. Therefore, like Audi's Quattro system, you are able to maintain higher speeds and be safe (although any car can hydroplane, of course) and reaction to any scary situations iss definitely quick. I don't feel any "heaviness" or other things negative, only fantastic traction during bad conditions and unbelievable GRIP in dry ones. It truly makes my Durango SRT a true "corner carver" in the N GA mountains and makes it handle better than my Challenger T/A 392 and VERY closely to my ScatPack Charger, if not a little better.
Yes, there are always two edges to ant sword, and the downsides here are reduced fuel economy (due to higher overall friction and weight, but who buys an SRT product for fuel economy) and a little bit increased maintenance (changing transfer case fluids and lubricating everything).
However, given the chance, I would select AWD every time. It makes a big PERFORMANCE difference here and gives the driver thr confidence to push a little further.
Another way that dry condition driving is helped is in cornering, where the system maintains increased traction, a greater emphasis on corner rotation, and the traction to put the massive HP and TQ of the 392 motor down.
Remember, this is SRT BLESSED, so this system is NOT tuned for rock crawling, mud bogging, and other off road adventures. No, like Audi's Quattro system in its S and RS models, it is tuned for performance and to make the Durango QUICKER around a track, through the mountains, down a drawstrip -- or just coming home in a bad rainstorm, where others are scared abd cautious and you're driving right past them. Cautiously, of course. Great system and one that I LOVE in my daily driven 2024 SRT 392 AWD DD.
