A report issued September 27th by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on front crash prevention ratings for 2013-14 mid-size cars and SUVs (link below) seems to have shortchanged the 2014 Durango.
The report gives it the lowest rating available ("Basic") and then mentions in fine print that it didn't test the vehicle's autobrake system. The "Basic" rating, though, means the vehicle has a forward collision system that meets minimum federal criteria but fails to brake the car in either situation. That is clearly not the case with the new Durangos that have the adaptive cruise control with stop feature. With its features mirroring the Jeep Grand Cherokee's, it seems the Durango should've merited at least an "advanced" rating and possibly a "superior" rating.
For its detailed report on its safety ratings for the 2014 Durango, the IIHS also relies on the 2011 model (see second link below).
If the IIHS didn't test the 2014 vehicle's autobrake system, it shouldn't have rated its front crash protection capability or should've waited till the 2014 was available to test. A consumer reading this report could easily be misled.
http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4807.pdf
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/dodge/durango?print-view
The report gives it the lowest rating available ("Basic") and then mentions in fine print that it didn't test the vehicle's autobrake system. The "Basic" rating, though, means the vehicle has a forward collision system that meets minimum federal criteria but fails to brake the car in either situation. That is clearly not the case with the new Durangos that have the adaptive cruise control with stop feature. With its features mirroring the Jeep Grand Cherokee's, it seems the Durango should've merited at least an "advanced" rating and possibly a "superior" rating.
For its detailed report on its safety ratings for the 2014 Durango, the IIHS also relies on the 2011 model (see second link below).
If the IIHS didn't test the 2014 vehicle's autobrake system, it shouldn't have rated its front crash protection capability or should've waited till the 2014 was available to test. A consumer reading this report could easily be misled.
http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4807.pdf
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/dodge/durango?print-view