At this year’s Roadkill Nights event in Pontiac, Michigan, Dodge dropped a bombshell for muscle SUV enthusiasts. The automaker announced that every 2026 Dodge Durango ordered after August 13th would now come standard with a HEMI® V8 engine for U.S. retail customers. While the familiar Pentastar V6 remains in production, it’s now reserved exclusively for government and fleet buyers. For everyday consumers, it’s all HEMI, all the time.
This strategic move created the new Durango GT HEMI AWD—the most affordable all-wheel-drive V8 vehicle in the United States. Powered by the legendary 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI® V8, the GT HEMI AWD starts at $42,495 (excluding destination and fees). The model combines classic Dodge muscle with family practicality, giving buyers unmatched performance and value in one package.
With the 5.7-liter HEMI moving into the GT trim, the R/T badge got an even bigger boost. For 2026, the R/T model features the 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) “Apache” HEMI® V8, producing 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. This new Durango R/T 392 will come standard with the popular Tow N’ Go package and is expected to start under $50,000 when it becomes available in late 2026. It’s another example of Dodge turning up the heat for fans who crave old-school displacement with modern refinement.
Topping the lineup, the Durango SRT HELLCAT returns for 2026 with a starting MSRP of $79,995 (before destination). The supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® HELLCAT V8 delivers 710 horsepower and returns as the most powerful three-row SUV in the world. What’s more, Dodge is introducing the SRT HELLCAT Jailbreak program for an additional $995, unlocking more than seven million possible personalization combinations—including seven exterior colors, six wheel options, five seat color configurations, four seat belt color choices, four Brembo® brake caliper finishes, and five dual-stripe selections.
However, the celebration initially came with a catch. Dealer order guides that surfaced shortly after the Roadkill Nights announcement listed both the Durango R/T 392 and Durango SRT HELLCAT as “FED states only.” That meant the high-performance SUVs were not available in California and other CARB (California Air Resources Board)- regulated states—a total of 7: California, New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington.
In September, Dodge told us, “The HEMI-powered Durango R/T 392 and the Durango SRT HELLCAT are available in non-CARB states. We’re continuing to evaluate the opportunity to provide the full V8-powered Durango lineup to all customers.”
Now, according to recent dealer communications, Dodge expects that opportunity to become reality by December 2025. Documents indicate the automaker anticipates achieving 50-state emissions certification before year’s end. That means customers in California, New York, and the other five CARB states will soon be able to order a brand-new 2026 Durango SRT HELLCAT or HELLCAT Jailbreak directly from their local Dodge dealer.
If the certification goes through, it will be a powerful statement from Dodge—showing that, even in a tightening regulatory landscape, the brand isn’t ready to give up on HEMI-powered performance just yet.
