2026 Dodge Durango GT: V-6 Returns to Save the Lineup
2026 Dodge Durango GT: V-6 Returns to Save the Lineup
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| 2026 Dodge Durango GT: V-6 Returns to Save the Lineup |
When Dodge unveiled its 2026 Durango lineup earlier this year, one thing stood out:
The V-6 was missing.
In a bold move, Dodge had gone all-V8 making every Durango a muscle SUV. But now, reality has set in.
The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is back returning to the Durango GT trim for 2026, offering buyers an affordable, efficient entry point into the brand’s three-row lineup and yes it was worth the wait.
Dodge confirms the V-6 revival wasn’t just customer pressure (though that helped).
It’s also because Hemi engine supply is finally stabilizing.
"As Hemi production ramps up," Dodge says, "we’re able to reintroduce the V-6 option without compromising demand for our performance models.
So now, you can have both:
A practical family hauler and a 710-hp Hellcat under the same roof.
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| 2026 Dodge Durango GT: V-6 Returns to Save the Lineup |
Under the hood of the Durango GT V-6:
- 3.6L Pentastar V-6
- 295 horsepower
- 260 lb-ft of torque
It’s unchanged from previous years but still competitive in real-world driving thanks to smooth eight-speed shifting and available AWD.
This makes it $3,500 cheaper than the GT Hemi model:
- GT V-6 starts at $40,990 (including $1,995 destination)
- GT Hemi starts at $44,490
Want all-wheel drive? Add $2,000 bringing the total to $42,990, still under the base Hemi price.
Suddenly, the Durango isn’t just a muscle car with seats.
It’s a real contender in the mainstream three-row SUV segment.
Without the V-6, the Durango was becoming a luxury-priced oddball.
Even with its cult following, it sat above more popular rivals like:
All offer lower starting prices and better fuel economy.
By bringing back the V-6, Dodge reclaims its place as a value-focused alternative especially for buyers who want Dodge’s bold styling and confident driving feel, without needing 710 horsepower.
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| 2026 Dodge Durango GT: V-6 Returns to Save the Lineup |
Dodge hasn’t abandoned its roots.
The full V-8 lineup remains strong:
- Durango R/T: 5.7L Hemi V-8, 360 hp
- Durango SRT 392: 6.4L Hemi V-8, 475 hp
- Durango SRT Hellcat: Supercharged 6.2L V-8, 710 hp and now available in more U.S. states due to updated emissions compliance
Order books for the SUV-based "Super Utility Vehicle" (SUBV) open in Q1 2026 so the fire-breathing side of the brand is alive and well.
The third-generation Durango launched in 2011 over 15 years ago. Despite numerous updates, it's clear this platform is nearing its twilight. All signs point to a completely new Durango arriving around 2029.
Until then, expect refinements over reinvention like the return of the V-6. But sometimes, going backward is progress. Because what the Durango needed most wasn’t more power or tech. It was accessibility.
Read also: 2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric: 1,139 HP, 2.4s 0–60, Wireless Charging Revealed
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