a day ago
Dodge Brings Back the V-8 Era with the 2026 Durango
The electric revolution isn't dead — but it's definitely slowing down. With EV sales growth cooling and drivers asking for more range, lower prices, and familiar refueling convenience, many automakers are pumping the brakes on their all-electric timelines. GM, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche — they're all rolling out fresh gas-powered and hybrid models to meet surging demand. In fact, hybrid production is set to jump by more than 40% in 2025.
Fueling this trend are big political and regulatory shifts. The Trump administration has recently rolled back several key environmental measures — scrapping stricter federal emissions rules, removing California's special authority to set tougher standards, and easing penalties for lower fuel economy. The result? Carmakers suddenly have more breathing room to build powerful, less efficiency-focused engines without the same financial hit.
Enter Dodge — and its all-in bet on V-8 power.
While other brands are mixing hybrids into their lineup, Dodge is doubling down on raw muscle. For 2026, the Durango will completely drop the V-6 option, making a V-8 the only choice — no matter which trim you pick.
Even the entry-level Durango GT now comes with the 5.7-liter V-8, delivering 360 horsepower, a big 65-hp bump over the old Pentastar V-6. Of course, that extra punch comes with a higher price tag — $44,490 to start, about $4,000 more than before.
Move up to the R/T, and you get the mighty 6.4-liter V-8 392, pushing out 470 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque — that's a 115-hp leap compared to last year's 5.7-liter. Dodge says the R/T will stay 'under $50,000,' which likely puts it right around last year's $49,995 mark.
And then there's the headline act: the 2026 Durango SRT Hellcat. Still packing the insane supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 with 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, it now gets a refreshed Jailbreak package with six wheel designs, five interior color schemes, and more personalization options. Best of all? It's actually $6,000 cheaper this year, starting at $81,990.
Orders for the GT and SRT Hellcat open August 13, with deliveries expected later in the year. The R/T AWD will follow shortly after.
