With the rollback of stringent CAFE fines, Dodge, under the leadership of Tim Kuniskis, returning to Stellantis, is doubling down on muscle and power, eliminating the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 from the 2026 Durango lineup. Instead, the brand exclusively offers HEMI V8 powertrains across the range, reaffirming its commitment to performance and giving buyers “the power of choice” through potent V8 options.
Powertrain Upgrades
The base Durango GT now comes standard with the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine producing 360 horsepower, a substantial 65 HP increase over the outgoing V6 model. This upgrade pushes the GT’s price to around AED 157,000, reflecting a $2,000 to $4,000 increase depending on drivetrain choice. Meanwhile, the Durango R/T trim replaces its former 5.7-litre V8 with the more muscular 6.4-litre hemi V8, cranking out 475 horsepower and 470 LB-FT, a boost of 115 HP from the 2025 R/T. This upgraded R/T claims the highest horsepower available in the SUV segment under AED 187,000, set to start near the current $49,995 price point.
The range-topping Durango SRT Hellcat remains unchanged with a 710 horsepower supercharged V8 delivering exhilarating performance, including a 0-60 MPH sprint in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 MPH. It introduces fresh Jailbreak customisation options and sees its starting price reduced to around AED 295,000, $5,000 less than the previous model. The Hellcat model continues despite ongoing litigation over its originally announced one-year limited run in 2021.
Availability & Ordering
Dodge opened order books for the 2026 Durango on August 13, prioritising the HEMI V8-powered GT and SRT Hellcat trims, with deliveries scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. Orders for the 392-powered R/T, featuring the 6.4-litre HEMI, will begin in late 2025.
Wider Stellantis HEMI Focus
The shift isn’t limited to the Durango. Ram has reinstated the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 as an option on its 1500 pickup for 2026 and has confirmed a future V8-powered 1500 TRX model. Jeep’s Wrangler Rubicon 392 will retain its 6.4-litre Hemi, and speculation persists that the Gladiator pickup may receive the V8 as well. Dodge muscle fans eagerly await news of the HEMI’s return to the Charger lineup, which for now continues to offer twin-turbo inline-six variants in the “Sixpack” trims.
Final Word
Dodge’s removal of the V6 Durango and embrace of powerful HEMI V8 engines marks a clear signal that the muscle brand is putting performance and excitement at the forefront once again. With competitive horsepower figures and aggressive pricing, the 2026 Durango lineup is set to deliver uncompromised V8 muscle to enthusiasts across trims, reaffirming Dodge’s commitment to “power of choice” and conventional American muscle in a changing automotive landscape.
