The V-8 hits just keep coming from Mopar land, as Dodge revealed on Friday the Durango will drop the V-6 entirely and earn its 6.4-liter Hemi back for 2026.
RIP to the Pentastar V-6, because the new base engine in Dodge’s three-row SUV is officially the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 beginning with orders placed by August 13. Previously, the 5.7, good for 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, only joined the party in the R/T trim. The “GT” trim is now where you’ll find the 5.7, because the R/T has even bigger aspirations.
Dodge quietly dropped the SRT 392 version of the Durango after 2024 production of that performance model wrapped up. After a year off for the 2025 model year, the 6.4-liter is back, but will live as the standard engine for the R/T trim. Just like before, it’s good for 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. As for all the chassis performance goodies and appearance extras Dodge included on the old SRT 392 model with the same engine, Dodge didn’t specify any upgrades for the new R/T (pictured directly below).
This news officially makes every Durango powered by a V-8. Don’t forget, the SRT Hellcat is still very much alive and kicking despite initially being offered as a special one-year-only model. Dodge just announced earlier on Friday that you’ll be able to order a Jailbreak version of the Durango Hellcat for 2026, copying the fun customization program offered to Charger and Challenger Hellcat buyers at the end of those cars’ runs.
Dodge isn’t the only Stellantis brand getting in on the Hemi party this summer either. Ram announced the return of the Hemi to the 1500 a short while ago, and Jeep just revealed it plans to make the Wrangler 392 with the 6.4-liter V-8 for years to come. Plus, there are plans in the works to unleash a Hemi-powered Gladiator and perhaps go even further with additional V-8 variants of other Jeep models. It’s only logical that Dodge would offer a similar amount of choice.
Pricing for the base Durango GT (interior pictured above) with the 5.7-liter V-8 starts at $44,490, including destination. That effectively makes the base price of the Durango $4000 more in 2026 than the Pentastar-powered 2025 model, but it’s also worth noting this undercuts the base price of last year’s R/T by $7500. If you want the big 6.4-liter in the R/T, Dodge says that model will start “under $50,000,” but isn’t ready to reveal a final price yet.
Lastly, Dodge announced a price cut for the SRT Hellcat variant, with the new starting point being $81,990. That’s $5000 less than before, making it that little bit more attainable to step into the 710-horsepower SUV.
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