2026 Dodge Durango

Versions of the potent, V-8 Hemi (a truncated version of the term 'hemisphere') engine continues powering forward despite rumblings of its imminent demise within designated Dodge vehicles.  

During the past couple of years, Stellantis North America (the corporate parent company of Dodge) teased consumers with 'Last Call' editions from a cadre of big displacement engined warriors, including the three-row Dodge Durango crossover. When we last tested Durango 6.4-liter V-8in 2024, we grabbed for the Kleenex to shed a tear or two upon noting its 'Last Edition" status. Dodge semi-promised no more 6.4-litre V-8 within Durango in 2025 and beyond, although two other V-8 Hemi varieties remained.  

Surprise, the 6.4-liter Hemi like an undead Zombie miraculously returned for more action after only one year of semi-retirement and arrives standard within the 2026 392 V-8 R/T Launch Edition boasting all-wheel drive and 475 horsepower. For those preferring liters, the translation sits at 6.4 rather than 392 cubic inches (proudly referenced in its title) inside this naturally aspirated (non turbo) engine. According to Dodge, one may enjoy a zero to 60 miles per hour jolt within a mere 4.4 seconds.  

A 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 option previously motivated Durango from 2018-2024 tucked inside the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) sub-category before relocating to the R/T (think Road and Track) trim in 2026.  

Keep in mind Dodge is not alone in this 'now you see it, now you don't, now you do' automotive carousal of engines and models in recent years. General Motor's Chevrolet Division resurrected the diminutive all-electric Bolt for the 2027 model year after first discontinuing the electrified compact in 2023. As of this writing GM stated the much-discussed Chevy Bolt EV will once again fade away after the 2028 model year. Toyota's Land Cruiser said good-by in 2021 only to re-emerge and reengineered in 2024 and the industry boasts plenty of additional resurrections during the past century.  

Durango R/T Launch Edition circa 2026 not only looks the part of a muscled vehicle, but the audible exhaust rumble tickles yet another human sense. Its permanent all-wheel design consistently sends power to both front and rear axles whenever the engine hums and in motion. Part-time all-wheel drive (also known as on-demand or slip-and-grip) differs by traveling within a two-wheel drive format until detecting slippage, only than does the torque reach the other axle.  

Think of Durango R/T 392 as a three-row muscle beach transport able to tow a class-leading 8,700 pounds. It's an impressive haul even when stacked next to the Durango V-6 which offers 6,200 tow pounds. 

This current Dodge Durango platform arrived way back in the 2011 model year, a long span within automotive lore, yet looks and acts surprisingly spry in 2026 thanks to our tester's optional B5 blue paint ($595) also returning after an eight-year hiatus. An abundant nine trim levels choices await buyers along with four engine selections all connecting up with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A slew of option packages await.  

Since 2011, Durango has sported a uni-body platform shared with Jeep's Grand Cherokee crossover. Consider this integrated chassis and body structure a heavy-duty version. Historically, uni-body frames underpin smaller, lighter-weight cars and crossovers. 

Durango's first two generations (1998-2003, 2004-2009) utilized a bulkier, truck-based body-on-frame platform. Durango took a production break during the 2010 model year as the nameplate switched to the advanced uni-body structure highlighting this current third generation. 

Both the entry G and GT Plus trims match up with the portfolio's sole six-cylinder engine, Stellantis' versatile 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 delivering 295 horsepower found in varying products from Chrysler's Pacifica minivan to a compact Jeep Wrangler to Jeep's more spacious Grand Cherokee.  

The GT Hemi, GT Hemi Plus and GT Hemi Premium include a 5.7-liter V-8 offering up 360 horses. Leading the high-end chase, Both R/T Launch edition and R/T Premium Launch edition blast out 475 horsepower compliments of the 6.4-liter '392' V-8. Finally for those craving power for power's sake, the SRT Hellcat and SRT Hellcat Jailbreak's supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 break the bank at 710 horses.  

The 392 V-8 hemi requires pricy 93-premium octane fuel for the sizeable 24.6-gallon tank delivering minimal fuel economy results in return. Expect 13 miles per gallon city and 19 mpg highway. The body color fuel door found on the driver's side rear quarter panel opens to a cap-less lead, negating the need for a tethered twist cap as a self-sealing nozzle lead closes shop with fueling needs complete.  

Only the base GT arrives with rear-wheel drive standard, with all-wheel drive a $2,000 option. All remaining trims power with Mid-west friendly all-wheel drive. Performance features within the R/T class include Brembo brakes, high-performance suspension, Nappa leather/suede performance seats and performance drive modes.  

Our 2026 R/T 392 Launch Edition with a standard pair of second row fold and tumble Captain's Chairs started at $49,995. A host of extras and a $1,995 destination charge brought the bottom line to $66,020.  

In addition to the premium exterior color, other options included: Pirelli three-season tires ($594), stripped decal ($1,695), Blacktop Package with black grille, dual black circular exhausts and gloss black sideview mirrors ($2,045) and Premium package with suede headliner, power sunroof covering the first row, advanced brake assist, adaptive (radar-enhanced) cruise control, lane departure warning plus, trailer brake control and upgraded stereo ($7,600).  

A pair of standard second-row Captain's Chair in our R/T launch edition tester tumbled out of the way, creating a wide step-in aisle when maneuvering into the two-passenger third row. The chair's backrest manually flips down from an outboard seat-positioned lever, after which the entire unit falls forward with the lift of a red strap found along the seat bottom. These seats do not slide fore or aft on a floor track.  

Once ensconced in row 'trois', the unit lassos back thanks to the red strap until snapping into place. My six-foot one-inch frame felt more than welcome with ample third-row headroom and adequate leg room with second row seats prone, although contorting into the back third is best left for those with spry legs. While circular ceiling air vents and accessible molded cup holders proved valuable, the lack of any conventional ceiling handles above the rear side doors within the suede headliner made the entry trickier then needed (but I'm old and cranky). The eight inches of ground clearance proved easy to manage when exiting or entering. 

Row three's 50/50 split backrests fold flat onto seat cushions from the lift gate area with the lift of a manual lever on the backrest itself. Pull straps bring them back up into a prone position. Black seats in all three rows highlight with red stitching as does the dashboard.  

Right of the supportive, performance driver's seat, a T-bar shaped eight-speed automatic transmission mechanical shift lever disengages via a thumb-activated push button when switching gears while red PRNDM indicators illuminate atop (the M indicates manual). A digital indicator also illuminates in back-lit white within the instrument panel and includes a single digit (1-8) denoting the current gear. To its left, a dual inline beverage holder with rimmed illumination. The steering wheel also includes paddle shifters to manually raise/lower gear settings.  

The electronic push start/stop button summoning the engine resides on the dash right of the steering column. A couple visual reminders built into the circular orb displaying the illuminated-in-red words 'run' when active, and 'off' if not in session. While the Hemi V-8 makes plenty of easily heard audio rumble reminders, visual cues provide useful as this design makes its way into other Stellantis products with less muscular musical notes.  

A 10.5-inch in-dash multi-purpose screen includes the fifth generation of Uconnect and flanks by a pair of vents sporting an asymmetrical capital D shape. This latest version of Uconnect (introduced in 2021) features increased gigabytes with quicker reaction time than Uconnect 4. This design works seamlessly with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. The upper dash includes a relatively flat layout sans the instrument panel area featuring a brim-like bump up. It's completely separate from tactile temperature control below featuring white backlighting.  

The Uconnect 5 in-dash screen also positions separately from the seven-inch instrument panel nicely combining digital and analog technologies. Within the IP, two half-moon largely analog gauges with red and while backlighting flack a larger multi-paneled digital center window monitored from push buttons found along the three-spoke steering wheel's 9 o'clock wing. The far-left analog half-moon gauge provides a speedometer readout while the right end shares fuel and temperature information.  

Built alongside Uconnect 5, the industry's best secondary steering wheel controls with finger-tip managed, tactile, toggle-like buttons on the wheel's 'behind' side making volume adjustment (right-hand driven) and station selections (left digits) simple while letting the fingertips do the walking and working. It's one of the best secondary-audio adjustment designs available with other automakers taking notice and 'borrowing.' 

Primary audio controls reside alongside HVAC controls completely separate from and directly below the center touch screen. Included are three rows of push buttons monitoring such factors as dual temperature selections, front/rear defrost, fan direction along with heated and ventilated front seats. Three sizeable twist dials include a left side on/off/volume orb, a right-side station select and middle fan speed dial. If one desires, secondary temperature controls reside within the touch screen tutorial. Below one finds USB Smartphone ports welcoming both Type A and Type C styles and a flat, vertically resting single wireless charging pad.  

After dark, a narrow, red-light bar stretches across the lower reaches of the liftgate, lassoing taillights and red turn signal blinkers. In front, a long, narrow, black honeycomb grille gets flanked by a pair of small, sleek projector-style LED bulbs framed by frosted daytime running lights that blink amber when turn signals engage. A sizeable rectangular black honeycomb air dam resides below the narrow grille. 

Our tester included a sterling silver stripe traveling down the center of the front hood, onto the roof and continuing onto the power rear lift gate. It's one of five colors available. The hood includes a sizeable center air intake with black honeycomb capping flanked by dual heat extractors. Flared wheel wells sport a round shape with strap-like body-color pull straps. The lift back includes a top-side shade-like spoiler and wiper sweeping up from the bottom. Black rearview mirror housing includes a line of amber blinkers illuminating when turning.  

A nice feature fading fast from crossover rivals; an easy-to-locate, stand-alone cupped area in the door's lower middle containing a power latch bar unlocking the rear door. Many hatches locate the release apparatus out of sight under a glass window brim where a quick reach/find remains difficult. The hatch closes from a power button inside the cargo area on left side panel rather than on the door itself. Also, near this button, a tall storage well handles two-liter soda bottles. Drivers may also activate the power lift gate from a push button near the rear-view mirror.  

On the road expect a performance feel rather than a posh glide with braking bringing this heavy three-row crossover to an immediate stop.  

In late March of 2026 Dodge launched news welcoming the return of the 392 Hemi V-8 under hood of the Durango. A month earlier, the United States and Isreal launched joint military strikes upon Iran, prompting a huge surge in gasoline prices sending premium fuel well past $5 a gallon in the Midwest. How long fuel prices remain spiked is anyone's guess or if sales of thirsty V-8s take a hit especially those like Durango requiring high-octane premium fuel. That said, Durango added value pricing in 2026 creating a different kind of buzz enticing muscle heads to take a second look.  

2026 Dodge Durango R/T 392 Launch Edition 
Price as tested: $66,020 
Engine: 6.4-liter V-8 
Horsepower: 475 
Wheelbase: 119.8 inches 
Overall Lenth: 200.8 inches 
Overall Width: 75.8 inches 
Overall Height: 72.1 inches 
Fuel Economy: 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway 
Curb Weight: 5,730 pounds 
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles 
Assembly: Detroit, Michigan