After ditching the V8 engine from a variety of models in favor of electrification and smaller displacement forced-induction powerplants, Stellantis has quickly reversed course in that regard, due to backlash from consumers and fans, largely. In fact, the Ram 1500 is regaining V8 power for 2026 after just one year without it, and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 will live on after being tagged for discontinuation – plus, it’s set to be joined by a Gladiator version as well. Now, the Ford Explorer rivaling 2026 Dodge Durango lineup is even ditching V6 power altogether, it seems.
The base 2026 Dodge Durango GT is indeed losing the old, standard V6 in favor of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which churns out 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, compared to the outgoing model’s 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet. That also makes it more than a second quicker to 60 mph – that now takes 6.2 seconds, versus 7.4 for the old V6. It is worth noting that fleet customers can still order a V6-powered 2026 Dodge Durango GT, but retail consumers get the V8 as standard equipment.
As for the Durango R/T, it previously came equipped with the 5.7L Hemi V8, but for 2026, it’s getting an upgrade in the form of the 6.4L 392 Hemi V8, which produces 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque – 115 additional horsepower and 80 pound-feet over the outgoing model. For those that want even more, the SRT Hellcat version of the Durango is still available with the supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8, which makes a healthy 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet, enabling it to accelerate from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.
As one might imagine, these V8 upgrades will result in a higher MSRP, at least, for the base GT, which costs $4,000 more with a starting price of $44,490. The R/T stays put with a starting price tag of $51,990, while the SRT Hellcat is actually $5,000 cheaper than 2025 at $81,990. Order banks for the GT and SRT Hellcat are now open, and the R/T will follow later this year, with the first two models set to launch in Q4 2025.
Comments
4 words….. but it’s a Dodge ….
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But at least it’s not Found On Road Dead…
If the Ford powers-that-be had ANY sense at all, they’d drop a V-8 in the Explorer and give the Durango ‘what for’, instead they iare intent on neutering it-AGAIN. 🙄