Could this really be a new Dodge engine announcement that doesn't involve the Hemi V8? It really is, though curiously, Dodge still spins it as a hot take on Hemi demand. If you're a little confused, don't worry. The simple answer is that a V6 option for the base 2026 Durango is back. But as with most things in the world today, there's a bit more to it than that.
There's also good news on the pricing front. Along with the V6's return comes a return to sub $40,000 starting prices for the three-row Durango. Sort of, anyway. If you leave off the destination charge and go rear-wheel-drive only, it sneaks in under that target. But the $1,995 charge is mandatory, which pushes the cheapest Durango to $40,990. Still, it's several grand cheaper than the Hemi, which is only available with all-wheel drive. Let's take a closer look at all this.
V6 Is Back Because "Dodge Durango Is On A Tear"
According to Dodge CEO Matt McAlear, the Durango is a hot commodity. He says the "Dodge Durango is on a tear" and that Hemi V8 demand is soaring. In fact, demand for the Hemi is why the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is back, or so Dodge claims.
"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 V-6 Durango GT to help us meet Durango demand while supply of HEMI engines ramps up.”
-Dodge CEO Matt McAlear
So, if we're reading that correctly, the V6 is back because Dodge can't build enough V8s to meet demand. One might think the obvious move would be to build more Hemis, but apparently, there are only so many to go around right now. The V8 was famously cut for the Ram 1500 in 2025, and the Dodge Charger relaunched as an EV. But technically speaking, the Durango never lost its Hemi. The 5.7-liter engine endured through 2025, as did the Hellcat.
But in August, fresh off the loosening of fines regarding federal emission regulations, Dodge proclaimed that all Durangos would be Hemis. The base Durango GT was given the 5.7-liter V8 and the V6 was killed. The R/T was upgraded to the 6.4-liter Hemi making 475 horsepower. And the Durango SRT Hellcat, once thought to be a limited-run model several years ago, endures today with its 710-hp supercharged 6.2-liter engine.
An Issue Of Demand... And Price?
At 295 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque, the familiar V6 isn't a powerhouse like its V8 siblings. But it does open the Durango to buyers in a lower price bracket. Along with the V6 comes the return of rear-wheel-drive only, further lowering price and weight.
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
