Dodge is restoring V8 muscle to the heart of its lineup. Beginning with the 2026 model year, every Durango trim will be powered by a V8—headlined by a new base model that starts at $42,495 and, according to Dodge’s positioning, stands among the most affordable AWD V8 vehicles on sale. The move signals a broader Stellantis recalibration toward internal-combustion performance after a swift push into electrification.
Why it matters:
The change addresses vocal customer demand for traditional performance and character—throttle response, sound, towing confidence—features many buyers say they miss in the EV transition. It also tees up a clearer good-better-best price and power ladder for shoppers who want V8 torque without six-figure pricing.
What’s new for the 2026 Dodge Durango
- V8 across the board: The outgoing Durango GT’s V6 (295 hp/260 lb-ft) exits.
- Base engine: 5.7-liter Hemi V8 rated at 360 hp and 390 lb-ft now powers the entry Durango.
- R/T upgrade: 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft slots in above.
- Range-topper returns: The Durango SRT Hellcat comes back with a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft. Dodge quotes 0–60 mph in ~3.5 seconds; pricing lands just under $80,000.
Positioning: With the base truck at $42,495, Dodge is aiming to recapture buyers priced out of modern performance SUVs while preserving a halo with the Hellcat.
Ram reverses course on V8—by request
Dodge isn’t alone. Sister brand Ram will restore a Hemi V8 option to the Ram 1500 for 2026 after initially pivoting to a six-cylinder-only lineup. CEO Tim Kuniskis framed the decision as a corrective driven by owners:
“Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it and we fixed it.”
The V8 will be an upgrade, not the standard powertrain, but its return broadens Ram’s truck powertrain mix for towing and long-haul buyers who prefer a V8’s feel and sound.
Background: From an EV hard pivot to a balanced portfolio
Under prior leadership, Stellantis leaned aggressively into electrification—exemplified by discontinuing the Hemi-powered Dodge Charger and unveiling the Charger Daytona EV. That shift drew backlash from core enthusiasts and coincided with sales pressure across multiple brands. Dodge’s new leadership is now emphasizing choice: rebuilding its ICE credentials while keeping EV performance in play.
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear underscored the dual-track strategy:
“With the change in the administration, it’s no secret that we’re absolutely flexing into ICE production right now. But we are not walking away from the power, the performance, and the excitement that battery electric provides.”
Reader takeaway: What happened, and what’s next?
What happened?
Dodge made the 2026 Durango an all-V8 lineup, with a lower entry price for V8 power than most rivals. Ram will reintroduce a Hemi V8 option in the 2026 Ram 1500.
Why it matters to buyers?
- Cheaper path to a V8: $42,495 base Durango brings V8 torque within reach.
- Clear trim steps: 5.7L (base), 6.4L (R/T), supercharged 6.2L (Hellcat).
- Truck shoppers get choice: Ram 1500 customers regain a Hemi option for towing/feel.
Are EVs canceled at Dodge?
No. Dodge says EV performance remains part of the plan; the company is broadening—not abandoning—its powertrain strategy.
Could the Charger get a Hemi again?
Leadership has hinted a Hemi V8 in the Charger Daytona isn’t off the table, but no formal commitment yet.
Closing summary
Dodge’s V8 restoration in the 2026 Durango—and Ram’s Hemi return—marks a pragmatic course correction at Stellantis: listen to buyers, preserve brand identity, and keep options open. For shoppers, it means more choice at lower entry prices for traditional V8 performance, while the brands continue exploring where electrification adds genuine value rather than subtracting character.
