Dodge Just Made The Durango Slower And Cheaper For 2026—Why That's OK
After announcing earlier this year that the Durango would become an all-V8 affair, Dodge has reversed course. The now familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is returning as the base engine in the Durango GT, bringing a lower point of entry and giving rental car agencies a popular option.
Key Points
- The 2026 Durango GT regains its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, restoring a lower-priced entry model after Dodge briefly moved to an all-V8 lineup.
- Pricing for the V6 GT starts at $40,990, narrowing the gap with mainstream three-row competitors and undercutting the GT Hemi by $3,500.
- Dodge’s V8 offerings continue unchanged, including the 5.7-liter Hemi, the 6.4-liter V8, and the 710-hp Hellcat, keeping the Durango one of the few full-size SUVs still offering multiple eight-cylinder options.
The V6 returns with the same specs as before it left—295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It will slide in beneath the 360 hp 5.7-liter Hemi in the GT hierarchy. Dodge says the V6’s return is tied to supply as Hemi production slowly comes back online—but it also fills a huge price gap left when the brand erased its most affordable point of entry.
"Our strategy is working," said Dodge CEO Matt McAlear. "The Hemi is hot, Durango recently achieved its best Q3 sales in 20 years, and to keep that sales momentum going, we’re re-opening orders for the V6 Durango GT to help us meet Durango demand while supply of HEMI engines ramps up.”
The 2026 Durango GT with the V6 starts at $40,990, including destination, which is about $500 more than last year but still $3,500 cheaper than a Hemi-equipped GT. The V6-powered GT is the only Durango available in rear-wheel-drive, but choosing a transfer case adds another $2,000.
Before the V6 returned, the Durango had become one of the pricier family SUVs in its class—more expensive at the low end than rivals like the Telluride, Explorer, Grand Highlander, Traverse, and even Jeep’s own Grand Cherokee. Even at $42,695, the all-wheel Durango GT Hemi is the most affordable way to get an AWD V8 in the industry.
In case you forgot, the third-generation Durango has been on the same basic platform since 2010. It has received periodic updates over the years, and a full redesign isn’t expected until 2029, when it will be old enough to vote, go to war, and buy alcohol in Canada.
For those of you who still want eight cylinders, Dodge still has plenty of options. The 6.4-liter Hemi V8 returns with 475 horsepower in the Durango R/T, with ordering set to open in early 2026. Above it sits the only surviving Hellcat model in the Stellantis portfolio, the well-known 6.2-liter supercharged V8 makes 710 hp and is now available in a wider range of states after being temporarily banned.
Order books for the V6-equipped GT are already open.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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