Dodge has once again proven it’s not afraid to swim against the current. While much of the industry is going smaller, turbocharged, or electrified, the 2026 Dodge Durango GT is arriving at dealerships with something entirely different under the hood: the legendary 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI® V8.
For years, the Durango GT served as the bread-and-butter trim in the lineup, powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. It was practical, decently quick, and priced right. But as of August 13, 2025, Dodge stopped building V6-powered GTs for the U.S. market. From here forward, every 2026 Durango GT comes standard with a HEMI V8. And the difference is night and day.
From Pentastar To HEMI –
The outgoing GT with the Pentastar V6 delivered 295 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Respectable numbers, but not exactly thrilling in a three-row SUV weighing over two tons. Now, thanks to the switch to HEMI power, buyers are treated to 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s 22% more horsepower and a 50% bump in torque — all at the same starting price of $42,495 before destination, taxes, and title.
On paper, that translates into real-world performance gains. Zero to sixty times drop from 7.4 seconds to just 6.2. The Durango also gains a throatier exhaust note and stronger mid-range punch, making highway merges and towing duty much easier. And with cylinder deactivation, the HEMI can shut down half of its cylinders when cruising to save fuel, balancing muscle with some efficiency.
Tow N’ Go Muscle –
Where things really get interesting is with the available Tow N’ Go package. For $6,195, this option turns the GT into a true jack-of-all-trades. With upgraded cooling, suspension, and hardware, the Durango GT Tow N’ Go is rated to tow up to 8,700 pounds. That puts it on par with the more expensive SRT trims, but at a fraction of the cost.
It’s not just about raw pulling power, either. Dodge gives Tow N’ Go-equipped GTs a full suite of performance features: Sport, Track, Snow, and Tow drive modes, plus an upgraded Quadra-Trac® Active On-Demand 4WD system. Brembo® brakes with massive 15-inch rotors and six-piston calipers ensure stopping power matches the grunt. Essentially, it’s an SRT-lite setup that makes the GT the most versatile Durango in the lineup.
Positioned Below The R/T –
So how did Dodge manage to deliver a V8-powered SUV at such an affordable price point? The answer is content strategy. By stripping down some of the premium features typically found in the R/T, Dodge was able to undercut the outgoing R/T’s price while still giving buyers the performance they crave.
The GT keeps things simple inside, with cloth seats and fewer luxury touches. But for those who care more about what’s under the hood than what’s stitched on the seats, it’s a smart play. The new GT with the HEMI now represents the most affordable AWD V8 SUV you can buy in America today.
A Bold Move In A Risky Market –
There’s no sugarcoating it — Dodge is taking a gamble here. With the price bump from the old V6 GT, the Durango GT now starts nearly $4,000 higher than before. And with high interest rates and vehicle prices at record levels, affordability is a big concern for many families shopping three-row SUVs.
At the same time, Dodge sales are already down 50% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Moving further upmarket could alienate some budget-conscious buyers who relied on the V6-powered models as entry points into the brand.
Still, Dodge has never been about playing it safe. By doubling down on performance, the brand reinforces its identity as the muscle-car maker of SUVs. For enthusiasts, the GT HEMI represents a rare chance to buy a three-row SUV with real V8 grunt at a price that undercuts the competition.
At Dealers Now –
If you’re curious to see the new Durango GT HEMI in the flesh, our friends at Wilmington Auto Center Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram in Wilmington, Ohio, already have one in stock. This particular model is finished in White Knuckle and features both the Tow N’ Go package and the Blacktop Package.
With those options, the window sticker comes to $52,380. That’s a lot of SUV for the money, considering it includes performance SRT suspension, Brembo brakes, Quadra-Trac AWD, and multiple drive modes. Interested buyers can reach out to Chris Robinson (Your Family Car Man) at Wilmington Auto Center CDJR for details.
Thoughts –
In a market dominated by smaller turbo engines, hybrids, and EVs, Dodge’s decision to stuff a HEMI into its mid-level SUV feels downright rebellious. The 2026 Dodge Durango GT HEMI might not be the cheapest family hauler on the market, but it’s easily the most exciting in its class.
For muscle fans who still want three rows of seats, Dodge has made the choice simple: performance first. The Durango GT HEMI is proof that the V8 isn’t dead — not yet, anyway.
