[JohnB]

I drove a 2012 R/T and Citadel, back to back, the other day, and I'm not sure that I could tell a difference in handling. Maybe the Citadel was a little bouncier, but I couldn't swear to it. Am I just not very perceptive, or is the R/T not really that different?
I'm wondering because I'm used to my (sporty) Audi Allroad, but if the R/T isn't much different from the Citadel I'd rather have the extra ground clearance for getting down my driveway after the occasional blizzard.
Thoughts?

 

[flashover230]

I also drove the citadel and the r/t...I chose the r/t. it has better handling but also floats on the freeway. I like the look a bit better and the exhaust is very throaty...sounds mean as hell. I live in Mn and find the ground clearance of the r/t to be just fine.

 

[bigdadsrt]

Where you from in minnesota? Im in inver grove heights. I just bought a 2012 Durango R/T.

 

[JohnB]

Thanks

I also drove the citadel and the r/t...I chose the r/t. it has better handling but also floats on the freeway. I like the look a bit better and the exhaust is very throaty...sounds mean as hell. I live in Mn and find the ground clearance of the r/t to be just fine.

Thanks for the input. I think I've learned that there are a few features, such as heated/cooled seats, only available in the Citadel, so that might be the way I go. Unless I get a Land Rover LR4!

 

[flashover230]

sorry brother....I'm in Eden Prairie. Love the r/t!!!

 

[teleman609]

R/T all the way!! even with every option available its still cheaper than the Citadel. I have mine loaded. you won't go wrong.

 

[guruatbol]

You can't get every option they offer in the RT. The citadel has every option Dodge offers in the Durango.

For instance, IIRC the cooled seats is not available in the RT.

I do like the looks of the RT better, but if you want luxury, Citadel all the way!

Mel

 

[amador101]

R/T all the way!!

I drove the citadel too and i like it, but didnt want the hefty price tag! the citadel also didnt sound as good as the R/T. I wanted my durango to look different from all the others so i chose the R/T with its aggressive stance the ground effects that the citadel doesnt have. wish i could have the an SRT though would be nice. I put 22 inch by 9front and 22x10 rear it looks mean as hell. would buy a land rover its not worth the money for something that small.

 

[viperdriver]

Tested both and bought the Citadel. As someone else stated, the extra options are nice especially on long trips. But, you can't really go wrong with either one.

 

[guruatbol]

Is there a difference in the suspension and/or the exhaust - intake or performance?

Mel

 

[hyperwhite]

R/T seems to be the better buy to me imo.

 

[david24hablenko]

citadel/rt differences

test drove both 2013 citadel and rt today

i couldnt find a difference in the handling at all.

the citadel is "luxury"

the rt is "sporty"

sporty to me is a luxury lol so to me the rt is a win win win

for the citadel... you can have front ventilated seats, where the body meets the wheel wells are a black plastic, chrome door handles, the air dam can have a chrome plate on the bottom, chrome mirrors, roof rack, chrome headlight insert, chrome wheels, no sporty look and the obvious "Citadel" stitched into the seats

for the rt... cannot have ventilated seats, the air dam is painted the truck color, painted mirrors to match the truck, door handles are painted to match the truck, where the body meets the wheel wells its painted as the truck, no roof racks, headlight insert is painted (i believe black in all), aluminum 20" rims, sport/mean look, throaty mean exhaust and the red rt stitching in the seats


in the end i hope this helps anyone trying to figure out between the two truck models.

I have the white 2013 Dodge Durango RT and love it

 

[Tymont]

I want the extra creature comforts of the Citadel. But none of the chrome. I can't stand chrome.

 

[roborin]

If you order the R/T at the dealership, you can get the ventilated seats at an extra cost. It is the only thing I am missing on my R/T, I wouldn't mind having it for the really hot days but with the crystilline tint I put on it, don't really need the ventilated seats.

 

[guruatbol]

Ventilated seats are awesome! I have been on several long trips and have not has swamp butt one time!

The heated seats have been awesome now that it is getting cold and the heated steering wheel is incredible!

The Citadel we bought was only about $3k more than the RT, so I'd say in this case the Citadel was the better buy with the adaptive cruise, AC outlet, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, DVD player, sunroof, and probably a few more things ours has the RT didn't.

Mel

Mel

 

[kruzenkelvin]

Got the R\T liked the mean look and the sound. Got it loaded with all the options even the ones I will never use!!

 

[Ohio55]

I want the extra creature comforts of the Citadel. But none of the chrome. I can't stand chrome.

That's funny I have the opposite view. I bought the R/T because I preferred the sportier handling, effects and sound, but it's a little too monocolor for my taste. I think the chrome on the citadel adds some nice contrast. Probably going to add some chrome sidesteps and possibly grille also.

 

[Tymont]

And that is why they sell so many options. lol

 

[Sundevil]

Signed up to this forum as I want to buy a Durango for the wife. Wanted some opinions. I drove the 2013 R/T that was AWD and I was impressed that it could climb a dirt hill. Not that I need it for that. I just was not impressed with the power of the hemi. I have a 1500 mega cab with the hemi on 37s with 3.73 gears and it has more get up and go than the Durango. What gives? Was the engine not broke in yet? Is the thing such a good driving vehicle that it just doesn't feel fast?

Have you guys added a programmer to these thin
Nags yet?

 

[Rec 26]

Signed up to this forum as I want to buy a Durango for the wife. Wanted some opinions. I drove the 2013 R/T that was AWD and I was impressed that it could climb a dirt hill. Not that I need it for that. I just was not impressed with the power of the hemi. I have a 1500 mega cab with the hemi on 37s with 3.73 gears and it has more get up and go than the Durango. What gives? Was the engine not broke in yet? Is the thing such a good driving vehicle that it just doesn't feel fast?

Have you guys added a programmer to these thin
Nags yet?

First off I would like to welcome u to the forum. As for the difference between the RAM and the Durango remember that the RAMs were built to be workhorses so yes its going to have more torque than the RAM. As for hp... the 3rd gens have the new 5.7L that is pushing 390 at the wheels same as on the new RAMs. I didn't test drive the AWD R/T but I did test drive the RWD and being a SRT owner and having the opportunity to drive my old roommate's Charger R/T from time to time I can tell you this. Stock... it handles exactly like a 1st Gen L body Charger R/T down to the throttle response and the way it takes corners both in and out of auto stick. I didn't test drive the Citadel but from what I've seen both on the Dodge website and what I've seen on the window sticker... if you want performance get the R/T. If you want luxury then get the Citadel.

As for tuning... I don't think anyone has done a tune yet on their Durango. I know a lot of people have been asking about it on the forums and I can't wait to get their reaction when they install those canned tunes. As for the RAM... I had the '11 1500 Big Horn and she was tuned. Complete different truck. Same thing will happen when you tune the Durango.

Hope that answers your questions some and I apologize for any misspellings... answering this via my phone.