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RUMOR: HEMI®-Power to Return to 2026 Dodge Durango

RUMOR: HEMI®-Power to Return to 2026 Dodge Durango​

Our Sources Say That Dodge Is Listening to Its Fans...​


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Contrary to earlier reports, the beloved HEMI® V8 engine will continue to power the Dodge Durango R/T into the 2026 model year. According to our sources, Dodge has decided to extend the availability of the 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI V8 in the Durango R/T trim even longer than expected, responding to strong customer demand.

moparinsiders.com

RUMOR: HEMI®-Power to Return to 2026 Dodge Durango

Contrary to earlier reports, the beloved HEMI® V8 engine will continue to power the Dodge Durango R/T into the 2026 model year. According to our sources, Dodge has decided to extend the availability of the 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI V8 in the Durango R/T trim even longer than expected...
moparinsiders.com moparinsiders.com
 
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guess the platform is not worth installing a the new powerplants at this point.
 
As the owner of a ‘21 GT, which I love, I think this platform could get a few more years. A slight refresh to the tail lights and maybe another front end update with an updated interior we could milk this till 2030.
Why not? She is highly rated in crash testing, mechanical she has improved since 2020, and she is still running the 3.6 and Hemi. It really is a perfect size and blows everything else away. Seeing it really has already paid for itself, price could also hold pretty much steady to be better than its competition. Market it big for the next few years and it will be fine. I see more and more PD’s going to it, and seeing the new Charger Pursuit ICE is at least 2 years out this is a great fill.
Come on Dodge keep this Durango till 2030!
 
Mike201 said:
As the owner of a ‘21 GT, which I love, I think this platform could get a few more years. A slight refresh to the tail lights and maybe another front end update with an updated interior we could milk this till 2030.
Why not? She is highly rated in crash testing, mechanical she has improved since 2020, and she is still running the 3.6 and Hemi. It really is a perfect size and blows everything else away. Seeing it really has already paid for itself, price could also hold pretty much steady to be better than its competition. Market it big for the next few years and it will be fine. I see more and more PD’s going to it, and seeing the new Charger Pursuit ICE is at least 2 years out this is a great fill.
Come on Dodge keep this Durango till 2030!
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Agree
Put the money in Chrysler
 
Any chance the 2026 Grand Cherokee continues with the Penstastar?

moparinsiders.com

CAUGHT: 2026 Jeep® Grand Cherokee L Limited 4x4

Get a sneak peek at the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited 4x4. Discover the potential upgrades and refinements for this award-winning SUV.
moparinsiders.com moparinsiders.com

"Rumors are circulating that the 2025 Grand Cherokee could receive an enhanced version of this engine, possibly branded the “Hurricane4 EVO,” with power expected to exceed 300 horsepower. This would allow the Grand Cherokee L to compete more directly with midsize SUV rivals like the Ford Explorer, which features a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque."
 
Remember when they tried the 2L GME-T4 in the Cherokee? Total flop. The 2L GME-T4 in the Wrangler was a total flop. Stop trying to make GME-T4 happen, NOBODY paying $50K for a Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, or Gladiator wants this engine.
 
Mike201 said:
As the owner of a ‘21 GT, which I love, I think this platform could get a few more years. A slight refresh to the tail lights and maybe another front end update with an updated interior we could milk this till 2030.
Why not? She is highly rated in crash testing, mechanical she has improved since 2020, and she is still running the 3.6 and Hemi. It really is a perfect size and blows everything else away. Seeing it really has already paid for itself, price could also hold pretty much steady to be better than its competition. Market it big for the next few years and it will be fine. I see more and more PD’s going to it, and seeing the new Charger Pursuit ICE is at least 2 years out this is a great fill.
Come on Dodge keep this Durango till 2030!
Click to expand...

Agreed. Just run the tooling on this until the end of Trump's term, and then go with a series hybrid in STLA Large.
 
Mike201 said:
As the owner of a ‘21 GT, which I love, I think this platform could get a few more years. A slight refresh to the tail lights and maybe another front end update with an updated interior we could milk this till 2030.
Why not? She is highly rated in crash testing, mechanical she has improved since 2020, and she is still running the 3.6 and Hemi. It really is a perfect size and blows everything else away. Seeing it really has already paid for itself, price could also hold pretty much steady to be better than its competition. Market it big for the next few years and it will be fine. I see more and more PD’s going to it, and seeing the new Charger Pursuit ICE is at least 2 years out this is a great fill.
Come on Dodge keep this Durango till 2030!
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hahahaha Wk roots would be ancient at that point.
 
TripleT said:
hahahaha Wk roots would be ancient at that point.
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Funny you laugh at that. The current Ford Explorer has been in production since 2011 when Ford switched it to the unibody D4 platform. Ford did a modified update in 2020 and extended the length to the CD6 platform so they could add a 3rd row (to compete with the Durango?) So with that being said the Explorer has been running as long as the Durango, and from what I hear Ford has no plans to end or change it. Yes they sell more than double than Dodge but that pretty much is true with everything from Ford vs Dodge. So your point?
I honestly would prefer an updated version of my Durango in 4 years than a new down sized version of what I currently have. If I wanted something smaller I would have bought a Journey.
 
Mike201 said:
As the owner of a ‘21 GT, which I love, I think this platform could get a few more years. A slight refresh to the tail lights and maybe another front end update with an updated interior we could milk this till 2030.
Why not? She is highly rated in crash testing, mechanical she has improved since 2020, and she is still running the 3.6 and Hemi. It really is a perfect size and blows everything else away. Seeing it really has already paid for itself, price could also hold pretty much steady to be better than its competition. Market it big for the next few years and it will be fine. I see more and more PD’s going to it, and seeing the new Charger Pursuit ICE is at least 2 years out this is a great fill.
Come on Dodge keep this Durango till 2030!
Click to expand...
I bought a '24 GT Plus Blacktop back in August to replace my wife's '19 Charger. The more I drive it, the more I like it. The plus package gives you a lot of features that in a GC you would pay 1000's more for. In '25 they made the high end stereo standard in this package along with a few other things. The price only went up 500 for the added options. With the available incentives the D is the bargain of this class.
I am actually considering an RT to replace my '16 Ram, as i like the Durango that much. I haven't driven the Hurricane Ram yet so that will help me decide between them.
 
Mike201 said:
Funny you laugh at that. The current Ford Explorer has been in production since 2011 when Ford switched it to the unibody D4 platform. Ford did a modified update in 2020 and extended the length to the CD6 platform so they could add a 3rd row (to compete with the Durango?) So with that being said the Explorer has been running as long as the Durango, and from what I hear Ford has no plans to end or change it. Yes they sell more than double than Dodge but that pretty much is true with everything from Ford vs Dodge. So your point?
I honestly would prefer an updated version of my Durango in 4 years than a new down sized version of what I currently have. If I wanted something smaller I would have bought a Journey.
Click to expand...
Your actually advocating for a 25 year run for a Mercedes hand me down platform.

I have had a Durango and a WL and it feels every bit its age. Who said it had to be smaller?

I think it is unlikely that a ancient an bespoke platform lives into next decade.

WL75 based would be a better vehicle.
 
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Mike201 said:
Funny you laugh at that. The current Ford Explorer has been in production since 2011 when Ford switched it to the unibody D4 platform. Ford did a modified update in 2020 and extended the length to the CD6 platform so they could add a 3rd row (to compete with the Durango?) So with that being said the Explorer has been running as long as the Durango, and from what I hear Ford has no plans to end or change it. Yes they sell more than double than Dodge but that pretty much is true with everything from Ford vs Dodge. So your point?
I honestly would prefer an updated version of my Durango in 4 years than a new down sized version of what I currently have. If I wanted something smaller I would have bought a Journey.
Click to expand...
Ford did a MAJOR update in 2020 when going to RWD architecture. Dodge has done nothing and Tim Kiniskis was part of the problem. Other people were bigger problems.
 
Jared B said:

RUMOR: HEMI®-Power to Return to 2026 Dodge Durango​

Our Sources Say That Dodge Is Listening to Its Fans...​


View attachment 10800

Contrary to earlier reports, the beloved HEMI® V8 engine will continue to power the Dodge Durango R/T into the 2026 model year. According to our sources, Dodge has decided to extend the availability of the 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI V8 in the Durango R/T trim even longer than expected, responding to strong customer demand.

moparinsiders.com

RUMOR: HEMI®-Power to Return to 2026 Dodge Durango

Contrary to earlier reports, the beloved HEMI® V8 engine will continue to power the Dodge Durango R/T into the 2026 model year. According to our sources, Dodge has decided to extend the availability of the 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI V8 in the Durango R/T trim even longer than expected...
moparinsiders.com moparinsiders.com
Click to expand...
Tim Kiniskis never could make the connection between designing weight out and making power.
* He passed on the 2020 chassis redesign which the Grand Cherokee got, and would have dropped over 200 lbs from the Durango
* Tim passed on aluminum blocks for NA Hemis which would have dropped at least another 100 lbs from the SRT Durango.

Pathetic:
* 5.7 from 2009
* Chassis from 2011.
And so many people are OK with that. If the public doesn't demand better, you'll never get better from this clueless bunch. The Durango could've been excellent instead of pretty good, if real leadership were in place.
 
You're missing the forest for the trees - the 5.7L tooling is paid for, the design works, and no Durango buyer cares about it dropping 300 lbs. Clean sheet Durango redesign would cost $600-700 million to base off STLA Large. If you can just mint profit from the existing tooling during a Trump Presidency, why wouldn't you?

There are a lot of things to gripe about for Stellantis, but this isn't one of them. The Grand Cherokee going to a four banger in 2026 is a crime - raise the alarm for that one, that is a HUGE strategic mistake. It will cost the company hundreds of millions in profit.

Why the hell would I buy a four banger Grand Cherokee vs a 2026 Honda Pilot with a V6, with Honda quality?

https://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/passport
 
Hemi_Dart said:
Tim Kiniskis never could make the connection between designing weight out and making power.
* He passed on the 2020 chassis redesign which the Grand Cherokee got, and would have dropped over 200 lbs from the Durango
* Tim passed on aluminum blocks for NA Hemis which would have dropped at least another 100 lbs from the SRT Durango.

Pathetic:
* 5.7 from 2009
* Chassis from 2011.
And so many people are OK with that. If the public doesn't demand better, you'll never get better from this clueless bunch. The Durango could've been excellent instead of pretty good, if real leadership were in place.
Click to expand...
I don’t agree with you on the 2020 chassis redesign. From what I remember that was posted here back then one article stated Jeep did NOT want to share the platform with Dodge because they did not want a Dodge twin stealing their sales. A 3 row Jeep would loose sales to a new 3 row Durango at a cheaper price.
My Durango and my daughter’s 2019 Grand Cherokee are pretty much twins. The only 2 big differences is I have 3 rows of seats and she has 2 rows. She has 4WD and I have AWD. I get Jeeps point.
 
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Its because the previous plan was it to be BOF.
 
Hemi_Dart said:
Ford did a MAJOR update in 2020 when going to RWD architecture. Dodge has done nothing and Tim Kiniskis was part of the problem. Other people were bigger problems.
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I totally get you point on Fords update in 2020. One fact we are forgetting here. WE as Mopar enthusiast know this stuff, ie: platforms, engine HP, time in use, all that good stuff. Most buyers DON'T!! They want a SUV, they test drive, look at their bank account, check with their insurance company. They don't look at platforms, or how long it has been around, nor do most NON-ENTHUSIAST care!
As a retired Police Officer in charge of our Fleet division my last 11 years, most Police Officers had no idea the Explorer was updated in 2020. They saw a new grill, new tail lights and were handed keys to an Explorer with less miles than the one they turned in. (although our fleet was mixed between Chargers and Explorers)
All of us here post/speak due to our knowledge of Mopar products. Sorry to say it is a smaller number of the vehicle buying public than and the number of vehicles being sold. I would bet 1 in 10 Durangos sold to buyers know the platform has been around since 2010/11. The soccer mom/family could care less. If she likes the size and style of the Durango and can afford it, they buy it. If they had an older version and liked it, she will be back in one. As for us Mopar Enthusiast, if we like it we will be back. If we don't we won't. I would say that is about a 50/50 split. We are kidding ourselves if the buying public pays the same attention as we do. Like I said, for them its looks, ride, size and most of all affordability.
 
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