2017 R/T has an optional roof rack.

The interior of the C can be had in tan which some prefer!

Otherwise, they're pretty much the same.

Scroll down towards the bottom of this page and see the comparisons. 2016 Dodge Durango - Luxury Interior Features

 

Aside from the lack of roof racks (which, btw, does anyone use them for snowboarding?), is there somewhere I can find a list of differences broken down bit by bit? Can roof racks be added by a dealership to an RT?

So far all I've seen pointed out is:

Citadel:
- higher ride height
- roof racks
- more chrome bits on the trim

RT:
- lower ride height
- no roof racks
- fewer chrome bits on the trim

So....wtf am I missing here? The only options I plan on ordering are the tow package and maybe the skidplate for the Citadel...for the RT, towing and blacktop. I don't want the captain's seats (might get in the way when hauling stuff with seats folded down), definitely don't want the Beats audio, don't want the tech package, etc.

I can get the RT about $4k cheaper looks like, after incentives and such.

I like snowboarding, camping, occasional towing of a motorcycle trailer with dirtbikes or track bikes at some point, a bit of hunting and fishing. I don't do any serious offroading (especially not the stuff where the road is more of a destination than the campsite). At the same time I'd also like to not get stuck in deep snow, and I really like the look of that 2.5" lift people are doing with the Jeep GC's kit. Anyone done that lift to an RT yet? Or a Citadel? Anyone lifted an RT at all? Or taken one in some deep snow ala northeast or northwest / colorado weather?

Oh and I couldn't care less about the chrome bits, I'm more worried about things like maybe one has LED headlights and the other doesn't, or one has fog lights and the other doesn't, etc. I don't know.

Both come with HID headlights, both should have fog lights. R/T has a louder exhaust than the citadel, but nothing obnoxious.


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Go here for line-by-line detailed specs on each model: Dodge Durango Models | Detailed Comparison Chart

 

That list is for the 2016 model year which is now out of production. Also, the Citadel is not available with a V-8 (though there has been some discussion about that on here). You have to be a fan of black or red (very rare) leather as brown or tan are not available in the R/T though most other features are available. You can place an order for 2017 now which has a few, mostly minor, changes. There another thread here with links to this information.

 

The Citadel IS available with the V8 as long as you get the highest trim level of it.

 

You can get the V8 in an AWD Citadel, but not a RWD Citadel.

 

Like I said, there's been discussion here about it. I wouldn't write a check based on info on the on-line builder. For example: The link above doesn't show it as an option in any trim level except the R/T despite it being an option in the builder.

There were folks on here early in the 2016MY who reported that the V-8 was NOT an option when they went in to order one and some later on that say they did order it with a V-8. I don't take any of that as fact because, with dealers being the way they are, who knows if a) are competent, or b) lying for their own purposes...all I'm saying is that you may or may not be able to get a V-8 in a Citadel.

 

Correct, it was not an option when the 2016's launched. When I was ordering back in Nov 2015, I was sitting with the sales manager, flipping through the order screens, to see all the available options. We checked on a V8 Citadel, and it wasn't an option in the ordering system.

That said, the V8 has always been available (since Day 1) in a Citadel for Canadians. And I believe Canada only gets the AWD version, with RWD not being an option for them.

So, a few months into production, the complaints of the flag ship Durango model not being offered with a Hemi must have made it's way into FCA, as they opened up the AWD version (which was been available in Canada form day 1) to US buyers sometime mid year.

After that, it was available in the dealer's ordering screens, and several folks on this forum have ordered them. Although if 2016's can no longer be ordered, it's probably a moot point anyway. Chances are they will be rare to find sitting on a dealer's lot as dealer inventory.

 

Fair enough. One dealer I visited tried to tell me the only difference between the JGC and Durango was the 3rd row seating. I pressed him about the optional air suspension, different audio packages (id love to have the Jeep's HK system put into a Durango), the fact that a Durango is a full foot longer, etc and he was like "uhhhhh what? Really? Huh..."

 

RT has Beats audio as standard, some believe the Citadel has more sound insulation then the RT. At the end of the day if you can live with a black interior the RT makes the most sense, It has better steering and handling and my guess is that somebody makes a trailer mounted snoboard carrier.

 

Rumor is the 2017 R/T is available with optional gloss black roof rails/rack.

 

The R/T is lower? Handles better? Maybe it's just me, but my R/T is a 2016, and I can't tell that it's any lower. Has anyone else got an R/T that seems the same height as the rest? I'd like to lower mine about an inch and make it a bit stiffer, but so far have found no definitive answers...

As far as the R/T having the beats stereo. It's a terrible system even for OEM. I'm not sure it's worth anything over the standard system.

 

Yeah, I'm definitely not keen on the Beats system. I actually emailed HK asking if they would pretty please get a contract for the Durangos. And I really don't know if the HK system from the Jeep will fit a Durango, but if it does, I may try and order one from the dealership or something...

Yes, there's hitch mounts available for snowboard carriers.

I'm actually slapping together a handy visual chart of all the differences listed - there's quite a few more than I expected. One key difference of note - the RT has a fold-flat front passenger seat, the Citadel doesn't. Useful if you're planning on putting surfboards inside rather than on a roof rack...

 

One key difference of note - the RT has a fold-flat front passenger seat, the Citadel doesn't. Useful if you're planning on putting surfboards inside rather than on a roof rack...

The 2016 R/T do not have a fold flat front passenger's seat.

Durangos with a non-electric front passenger's seat fold flat, but the ones with the electric, 8-way front passenger's seat, do not fold flat; and the 2016 R/T's have the 8-way electric seat as standard.

You may be reading documentation from earlier year models of the R/T where the electronic seat was an option.

The R/T is supposedly 20mm lower than non-R/T Durangos. Although I had a 2015 Limited with the Raleye package as a loaner, and it was a bit lower than my 2016 R/T is.

 

The R/T is slightly lower and has a "sport" suspension unique to itself. Also, at least on my 2014 it also has special "sport" steering. I believe you will get better handling with the R/T.

 

I own both versions currently, so in addition to what has already been mentioned, there is definitely more sound insulation in the citadel. Wheel well have padded insulation behind them that the R/t does not. The steering has more assist in the citadel. Front seats are also slightly softer. I can only speak to differences between 14 and 15 versions - I can't speak to any of the new features that were introduced in 2016

 

Interesting - care to share your decision to purchase both? After owning both, if you could only pick one going forward which would you choose and why?

 

when the local dealer was not able to find the R/T i wanted, they offered to order one. They walked us through the order process and roof-rails were an option (I want to say $195, but don't quote me on that). We hesitated and ended up not pulling the trigger because they could not tell me when they would start building and how long it would take to get our truck. I ended up compromising on features (no rear-seat entertainment, no tech package) to get the color (Redline Red) and features we really wanted (R/T, Captain's Chairs, Tow Package)... Also ended up with an AWD (when we had been looking for RWD). Overall, I am really happy with my purchase.

As for differences between Citadel / Limited and R/T... If I recall correctly, getting a Hemi in a non-R/T was a significant cost option. Also other package items (like blacktop) were more to add on a lower trim level, than they were on the R/T.

 

Everything I am seeing, and part of the reason I chose the R/T over the Citadel was the suspension.

The R/T has a sport-tuned suspension and is lower than the Citadel by about an inch from what I've read. I couldn't get myself to like the chrome trim on the Citadel and wanted something sportier and the Citadel was not it.

2016 Dodge Durango review

2015 Dodge Durango R/T | car review @ Top Speed

Both stated sport supension and lowered ride height.

 

If I had it to do over again I would order a Citadel Anodized Platinum AWD 5.7 with Tech, Tow and Skidplate options.
The anodized platinum citadel has the black headlights like the R/T - Blacktop. And it also includes roof rack, higher ride height and softer seats.
Also you can get the Tan or Beige interior colors. Then I would gloss black or color match all of the exterior chrome bits and it would look just like the R/T - Blacktop.

That is according to the build and price on the dodge website that only lists the 2016 model. Not sure if the 2017 will include the Anodized Platinum Citadel. Has anyone on here bought one? Dodge needs to get the 2017 info up! Other manufacturer's already have 2017 models on the dealer lots...

 

I'm leaning towards the RT for features and price but different seats and less road noise would be great. I have tinnitus as it is (6 years in artillery in the Army) and my back is mildly fucked (again, 6 years on active duty).

Don't really care too much about the interior colors. I'd be fine with white paint and black interior, or black paint and beige interior, or black/black. I've owned various combinations before - never seems to make a difference in regards to internal temps. When it's hot, it's HOT. Period. Biggest difference was having ventilated seats and remote start on my 2010 Ram 1500 Laramie. Worked great. And having a heated steering wheel was awesome too - boggles my mind that things like that have been in Dodges for years and other brands are only just starting to catch on.

Basically, here's a list of things I loved about my old truck that I want to have again - and it seems like both the RT and the Citadel have them:
- heated seats
- heated steering wheel
- ventilated seats
- memory seats/steering wheel/pedals
- auto dimming mirrors
- dual zone climate control (2016 Subaru WRX limited doesn't have it...wtf?)
- universal garage opener
- the usual advantages and comforts of driving a truck/SUV vs a car
- backup camera and sensors

The stereo was nice, the visibility was fantastic, being able to toss anything in the bed and not worry about it was great. The Hemi was amazing and made merging into traffic easy (I have some really bad, really short merges where I live in the bay area - you may get 100 yards to merge into traffic going 70, with traffic simultaneously trying to merge off the freeway in front of you. There's lots of accidents). So I definitely want the V8 (plus I'm just used to having MOH POWAH heh). I want AWD because I love going snowboarding and I'm getting into hunting, so some offroad capabilities are a must. That being said, how has the RT been in snow / offroad for you guys who bought AWD RTs? Any clearance issues? Apparently it sits a bit lower but I mean how much lower really? It's still an SUV no? We're not talking Audi Q5 low are we?

Some things I like about the new ones:
- keyless entry
- power liftgate on the rear
- new uConnect screen / integrated bluetooth audio streaming
- rotary gear selector
- rear storage compartment (perfect for keeping soccer cleats, cones, baseball glove, jumper cables, etc out of the way)
- multi-zone climate control
- fold down rear seats - the ones in my Ram were fold UP, which made it awkward for some items - the rail brackets for the seats got in the way for large / bulky items sometimes
- 8 speed transmission - better gas mileage (I was able to squeeze 22 mpg out of my Ram with the 3.55 rear axle and a 6 speed...I'm betting I can get 25 mpg or better with a 3.09 and an 8 speed)

Few other differences. I mean really, ultimately, if the RT's seats are at LEAST as good as my old Ram, and the road noise is at least comparable or better, then it's still going to be an improvement right? So...yeah.

 

Adjustable pedals are not offered in any Durango. Adjustable seats and steering wheel work for most people

 

If you have a bad back you better double check the seats in the RT. I have a bad back too and any trips I do that are over a few hours and I start aching. My 06 Titan with cloth seats was more comfy. The Citadel has a different seat foam and should be better for the long trips. The seats in my RT are the only real disappointment I have. Had it for nearly 2 years and they feel the same.

 

I've got a messed up back also, and I can drive my citadel for hours without hurting. Never been in an r/t, but 4 hours in mine and it's comfy as ever.


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Ok, I read page 1 and skimmed over page 4 so I will comment based on that limited reading:

The RT is more "sporty" and the Citadel is more "fancy". We bought our RT because we wanted a SPORT utility vehicle (heavy on the sport) that has 3 rows of seating (eliminating the Jeep SRT) and can tow another car to the track (eliminating virtually any other non-Dodge "competitor"). Since Dodge is the only brand that gives me the aggressive look, performance, and value that I am looking for, that made the Durango an easy choice.

I hate the small amount of chrome that was left on the RT but some folks love the bling so they appreciate the Citadel's appearance. I really wish the Durango would be offered in a zero-chrome option. It looks like the new Jeep SRT Night edition is chrome-free and all the interior trim is "brushed aluminum" but I can't tell 100% from the pictures.

The exhaust note is different in the RT than the Citadel (at least it was with my year) but that's an easy swap away. If you want the RT sound but you have a Citadel, wait for one of the RT owners to buy a Corsa and pick up their take-off. Boom!

As far as the seats--the RT seats are comfortable enough if you don't know any better. My daily driver is my 2006 Charger SRT8 and those seats, despite being 8 years and 133k miles old, are still way more comfortable than the RT seats can ever hope to be. We sit ON the Durango but we sit IN the Charger......sigh, it's so nice. I will be doing a Jeep SRT seat swap whenever I can afford it....and whenever I can find black Jeep SRT seats with the rear DVD screens as a take-out.

 

I've got a test drive scheduled for Friday (well, 2 actually). Both for RTs - between 2 dealerships near-ish me they have several RTs with exactly the options and colors I want, and have stated over the phone they will at a minimum give me blue book for my trade in ($31k-$32k). So I'm hitting one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The seat comfort is concerning, but how do you guys know what foam they're using and whatnot? I thought the seats were the same just with different leather covering them for the Citadel vs RT. I can't tell a difference just by looking at them online....? And what about the foam / seats in a 2010 Ram 1500 Laramie? I didn't have any problems at all on long drives in that. I usually do day trips to Tahoe - leave at 0400, stop for gas and breakfast just on the east side of Sacramento, arrive on the mountain at 845 or so. Usually one of the first ones on the lifts, snowboard all day, and once they start shutting lifts down I get a few more runs in and bounce. Get down the mountain before traffic gets too bad, stop in Sacramento for gas / dinner, home by 9 or 10. But that's about 8 hours of driving in a day, with a bunch of snowboarding in between.

 

Bryali said it best about the seat. You really do sit ON them!

 

Yep! But I found that once the seat is broken in to your own ass, they're even more comfortable.


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I don't really care about the sound. I've had trucks with exhausts and V8s before. Had a built-up LS6 in my Camaro with Pacesetter pipes and Hooker headers. I'm past that though I do appreciate a nice rumble. It's just not a priority anymore.

 

Just came across another difference that's not exactly in the brochures - apparently, if you get an RT (comes standard with the Beats by China system) the subwoofer takes up a significant chunk of that rear storage behind the 3rd row (the underfloor one).

Can anyone measure their compartments and post the dimensions here? I'd like to get a comparison of with / without subwoofer please.

 

Alpine system is the same way... All I keep back there is my emergency bag. It's not very deep.


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Well I found one thing that said it was 3.8 cubic feet without the sub, 2.45 with the sub...that's still a pretty good size. I just don't know length/width/depth for that.