08/10/2025
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Dodge just made the ultimate power move by killing the V6 engine option entirely for the 2026 Durango lineup, making every single consumer model a HEMI V8-powered beast that starts with 360 horsepower and escalates to an absolutely insane 710-horsepower Hellcat Jailbreak variant. Starting August 13th, retail customers can no longer order a V6 Durango-it’s “all HEMI, all the time” as Dodge CEO Matt McAlear boldly declared during the unveiling that shocked automotive media worldwide.
The entry-level GT trim now comes standard with the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, completely eliminating the
295-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that previously served as the base engine.
This represents a massive 65-horsepower increase for the base model while maintaining the same $38,495 starting price, making it one of the most significant value propositions in the three-row SUV segment.
The crown jewel remains the returning Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak, featuring the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 that delivers 710 horsepower with over 6 million potential customization
combinations including wheel styles, seat colors, brake caliper colors, and exterior paint options. The Jailbreak program allows buyers to personalize everything from seat belt colors to badge finishes, creating truly unique muscle SUVs that can seat up to seven passengers while delivering supercar-level performance.
This dramatic shift comes as Durango sales surged over 50% from Q1 to Q2 2025, with retail sales up 47% year-over-year, proving that American families still crave V8 power in their daily drivers. While other manufacturers retreat from large displacement engines, Dodge doubles down on what customers actually want— legitimate muscle car DNA in a practical family hauler that can tow 8,700 pounds while embarrassing sports cars at stoplights.
