The Dodge Durango Is A Teenager That Will Probably Live Forever
The Dodge Durango will reportedly remain in production through 2028, extending its lifecycle to 17 years—an absurdly long run for a modern SUV.
Key Points
- The current-generation Dodge Durango will reportedly remain in production through 2028, extending its lifecycle to 17 years.
- The decision follows a rollback of EV mandates, allowing Dodge to continue offering internal combustion models without regulatory pressure.
- The Durango will retain its Hemi V8 and continue production at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit.
According to a report from Mopar Insiders, Dodge suppliers were recently informed in a virtual meeting that they should continue producing components for the vehicle, undoing earlier plans to end production after the 2025 model year. First launched in 2011, the third-generation Durango has seen only incremental updates over the years.
Despite its age, it remains a consistent seller, aided by its available V8 powertrains and family-friendly size—there aren't many three-row V8-powered SUVs out there.
The Durango's stay of execution appears to be tied to recent regulatory changes. With the rollback of electric vehicle mandates under the Trump administration, Dodge faces less pressure to phase out internal combustion models, allowing it to maintain the Durango in its current form without regulatory fines.
The decision also offers a financial advantage. With the original development costs long amortized, the Durango is a pure profit product. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is expected to remain available through the end of the Durango’s run, which could also allow high-performance variants like the Durango SRT Hellcat to remain as well, though no formal announcement has been made.
The Durango will continue to be assembled at Stellantis’ Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. Who knows what will happen beyond 2028, so go get one before then.
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
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.
More by Michael Accardi
Comments
Join the conversation
The Durango has good bones. It's a decent vehicle that has held up well over the years and that is still competitive. Personally, I like the standard Pentastar V-6. That said, it is getting a bit long in tooth and it is sad that Chrysler and Stellantis have not replaced it with something on a new platform.