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Next-Gen Dodge Durango Could Mirror Charger Powertrains

Both ICE and BEV Models Are Coming In 2026...

The Dodge Durango has been instrumental in the Dodge brand’s “Brotherhood of Muscle” mantra for over a decade. While the first two generations of Dodge Durangos were body-on-frame three-row SUVs, the third generation that debuted for the 2011 model year placed the Durango on a unibody architecture. Still offering HEMI® V8 power and three-row functionality, the third-gen Durango (WD) morphed from a capable family hauler to a performance machine in 2018 with the introduction of the long-awaited Durango SRT.

2018 Dodge Durango SRT. (Dodge).

Since then, Dodge has reworked and updated the Durango into more of a performance-oriented offering, thanks to Dodge Charger-inspired looks, a HEMI® HELLCAT V8 under the hood, and bringing in a more aggressive suspension and brake setup that not only helps on the track but provides the Durango with best-in-class towing numbers.

And while the current Durango will soldier on for one more model year, during the United Auto Workers (UAW) contracts this past year, we learned that a new generation of Durango dubbed (D6U) will debut for the 2026 model year.

Future 2026 Dodge Durango Rendering. (MoparInsiders).

This time, Durango will move to the new STLA Large architecture, an evolution of the successful Giorgio architecture. The UAW contract stated that Durango would benefit from internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery-electric vehicle (BEV) powertrains. This could mean that the next Durango, sharing its platform with the new 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona, could share its powertrain lineup.

In the Charger Daytona, a dual e-motor setup on the R/T allows for 456 standard horsepower and all-wheel drive (AWD), which is not that far off from the current Durango SRT392 numbers. The Charger Daytona Scat Pack also features a dual e-motor setup with AWD; however, it produces 590 horsepower as its base output. Mopar Direct Connection eStage upgrades can push the output of the R/T to a maximum output of 535 horsepower and the Scat Pack to 670 horsepower. Undoubtedly, Dodge will shove the 800-volt Banshee architecture under the next-gen Durango, pushing it to over 800 horsepower.

Future 2026 Dodge Durango Rendering. (MoparInsiders).

The 2025 Dodge Charger SIX PACK has shown us that Dodge isn’t giving up on piston power and is putting the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane I6 under its new muscle car lineup hood. With two different outputs ranging from 420 horsepower in the standard-output (S/O) and 550 horsepower in the high-output (H/O), the I6 could be a hot choice for many ex-HEMI buyers looking to continue with ICE. The Hurricane numbers outpower the current R/T and SRT392 numbers easily and will probably be the choice for most law enforcement agencies if a Durango Pursuit model is carried over.

While many Charger fans might be hesitant to move past the HEMI in their muscle cars, we believe it will be much easier for Durango customers to transition, especially if the Hurricane engine can outperform the current lineup of HEMI Durango models.

Only time will tell.

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

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Sure hope the actual next gen Durango looks pretty close to this rendering, it’s fantastic. I’m thinking Jeep, but if this is close and has a Hurricane, it could alter my thinking big time. This is a lean and mean Durango and I’m impressed. Great work on something impressive and frankly, on target for Dodge inspiration and hopefully execution. Love it.

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The Ford Explorer gets redone for the 2025 model year. The drive train options are the same except now the hybrid is a fleet only option. Ford dropped the V8 awhile ago, even though the Explorer went back to being a rear-drive design.

I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with Dodge following the Hurricane inline six, which is the next generation 8-speed automatics. I love the Jeep 4Xe after tending the ones at work. I think the Durango would really benefit from such an option.

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The WL is Sooooooo nice compared to the WK2, just feel light on feet and nimble. 4xe feels like your driving a Hemi. Durango could really benefit from the update. really looking forward to the Hybrid transmission with the Hurricane 6

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The Ford Explorer gets redone for the 2025 model year. The drive train options are the same except now the hybrid is a fleet only option. Ford dropped the V8 awhile ago, even though the Explorer went back to being a rear-drive design.

I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with Dodge following the Hurricane inline six, which is the next generation 8-speed automatics. I love the Jeep 4Xe after tending the ones at work. I think the Durango would really benefit from such an option.

I can only imagine the amount of power these new Mopar vehicles could have with the Gen-4 ZF 8HP transmission. The plug-in hybrid version is a power adder in itself with peak hp and torque levels reaching 160kW (214.5hp) and 450newton-meters (332lb-ft) of torque, that's more than any supercharger would add. If the Charger Six Pack H/O is pushing 550hp without it, that's 764 combined system Horsepower and an insane amount of torque. Even if peak power is only realized in a push to pass type deal, that is very close to redeye levels of power and with AWD. If Dodge puts that in their SRT Vehicles, which could be anything on the STLA: Large and STLA: Frame platforms, that still puts Dodge out in front of the horsepower wars, while being way more efficient. Add a few Direct Connection upgrades and Jailbreak upgrades to any of those vehicles and things only get better! V8s might be gone but Muscle cars are still here and they're still evolving. I think we're going to be okay in this post-V8 world.

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YES MAKE IT SO.

Like I have Said even if it just a battery that last long enough for slow speed and 12 seconds or so it would be AWESOME.

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