2026 Dodge Durango: Three Rows, V6 or HEMI V8 Power
The 2026 Dodge Durango is one of the last three-row SUVs that still offers a V8, and for Central Indiana families that
comes down to a real choice: a smooth Pentastar V6 for daily driving, or a 5.7L HEMI V8 that tows up to 8,700 lbs. You get
a third row, cargo space that reshapes to the day, and a rear or all-wheel-drive setup, with a starting MSRP of $38,995
when the 2026 model arrived. This page covers what the Durango tows, how the two engines differ, how the trims line up,
and how to shop one close to home.
Specification
Detail
Body style
Three-row SUV
Engines
3.6L Pentastar V6 or 5.7L HEMI V8
Max towing
Up to 8,700 lbs (HEMI V8 with the Tow ’n Go package)
Seating
Available third-row seating
Drive
Rear-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive available
Fuel economy (EPA-estimated)
V6 about 18 city / 25 hwy (RWD); HEMI V8 about 14 city / 21 hwy
Safety
4-star overall NHTSA rating
Starting MSRP
$38,995 at launch (2026 model year)
Towing and Capability
The Durango’s headline number is 8,700 lbs. That is the maximum you can get when you order the HEMI V8 with the Tow ’n
Go package, and it is the kind of number that matters in a way a general SUV review rarely spells out. If you take a
boat to Morse Reservoir, haul a camper to an Indiana state park, or run a weekend rig out to a track or a show, this
is the figure to look at first.
Here is what that 8,700-lb rating covers in real terms:
Typical load
Notes
Midsize travel trailer
Falls within the HEMI V8 + Tow ’n Go rating for most builds
Two personal watercraft on a tandem trailer
Inside the HEMI V8 rating with capacity to spare
Loaded utility or landscape trailer
Covered by the HEMI V8; lighter setups suit the V6 as well
Small fishing boat and single trailer
Within range for both the HEMI V8 and lighter V6 setups
Loads vary by build, cargo, and how many people are aboard, so always confirm the rating on the specific vehicle and
weigh the trailer’s loaded weight, not its dry weight, against it.
The V6 Durango tows less, and it suits buyers on the lighter end: a small boat, a compact camper, a pop-up. If towing is
the reason you are buying, order the HEMI V8 with Tow ’n Go. Just confirm the package on the actual vehicle, because Tow
’n Go availability shifts by trim.
Three Rows and Cargo Space
Three rows are what set the Durango apart from the two-row crossovers that fill most Central Indiana driveways. When
your family needs seats for five, six, or seven now and then, having that third row on demand means you skip the
choice between buying a second vehicle or leaving people behind.
The third row pulls its weight as flexible seating. Fold it flat and the Durango turns from people-mover to cargo hauler
in a few seconds, opening the back for luggage, gear, or one big awkward load. Drop the second row too and the floor
stretches further, swallowing contractor runs, recreation gear, and moves a standard two-row SUV would choke on. That is
the everyday payoff: the inside changes shape with whatever the day asks of it.
Here is the honest part. In an SUV this size, the third row is built for the occasional extra passenger, not a permanent
daily seat for adults. It is the right answer to “we sometimes need more room.” It is not a long-haul adult bench you
fill every week. Match the Durango to that reality and it delivers. Expect a full-time adult third row and a three-row
minivan is probably the better buy.
Engines: Pentastar V6 or HEMI V8
The engine is the first call you make on a Durango, because it sets the driving feel, the fuel bill, and what you can
pull. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is the efficient daily driver. The 5.7L HEMI V8 is the capability engine: it reaches the
8,700-lb tow rating with Tow ’n Go and gives you V8 muscle for passing, merging, and hauling.
Engine
EPA City / Hwy (estimated)
Towing
Best For
3.6L Pentastar V6
About 18 / 25 (RWD)
Lighter loads
Daily driving, commuting, fuel economy
5.7L HEMI V8
About 14 / 21
Up to 8,700 lbs with Tow ’n Go
Towing, full-load capability, V8 performance
The fuel gap is real: about 4 mpg in the city and about 4 on the highway. For a vehicle you drive every day, that adds
up, though it tightens a bit for buyers who live on the highway, where both engines run cleaner. The V6 saves you fuel
on every trip you are not towing. The HEMI earns its keep if you tow often, or if you just want V8 margin on tap.
Choose the V6 if…
Choose the HEMI V8 if…
Commuting and school runs are the primary use
You tow a midsize trailer, boat, or heavy utility load
Fuel efficiency matters to your monthly budget
V8 power and highway response are priorities
Lighter or occasional towing is the full extent
You want the 8,700-lb Tow ’n Go rating available
AWD without V8 torque is enough for winter
You want the full capability of the Durango’s powertrain
Both engines pair with all-wheel drive on the trims that offer it, so the AWD decision only splits from the engine
decision at the entry trim. Want a closer look at the V8 itself? The engine overview walks through output, design, and
what the HEMI is built to do.
The 2026 Durango lineup runs from a rear-wheel-drive V6 entry up to a fully loaded AWD HEMI V8, so you pick the
powertrain and the equipment level together. At launch, it started at $38,995 for the 2026 model year. Per-trim
pricing moves with configuration and current programs, so current figures live at the specials hub.
Trim
Engine
Drive
Best For
GT
3.6L Pentastar V6
Rear-wheel drive
Entry into three rows; V6 efficiency without AWD
GT Plus
3.6L Pentastar V6
All-wheel drive
V6 economy with all-season traction for Indiana winters
GT AWD HEMI V8
5.7L HEMI V8
All-wheel drive
V8 towing capability with AWD
GT Plus AWD HEMI V8
5.7L HEMI V8
All-wheel drive
V8 capability with the added comfort of GT Plus equipment
GT Premium AWD HEMI V8
5.7L HEMI V8
All-wheel drive
The most comprehensively equipped HEMI V8 build
The upgrade path is easy to read. The GT is the starting point: rear-wheel drive, V6, three rows. The GT Plus adds
all-wheel drive for year-round traction and leaves the engine alone.
The HEMI trims pick up where the V6 runs out: heavier towing, V8 power, and AWD as standard. The GT Plus AWD HEMI V8
pairs that powertrain with the GT Plus equipment package. The GT Premium AWD HEMI V8 is the fully loaded build, matching
the HEMI V8 to the highest standard feature content in the lineup.
Which trim should you choose? Use this as a starting point:
If your priority is…
Start here
Three rows at the lowest entry price
GT (V6, rear-wheel drive)
Three rows plus AWD for Indiana winters
GT Plus (V6, all-wheel drive)
Towing a midsize trailer, boat, or camper
GT AWD HEMI V8
Towing capability plus added equipment
GT Plus AWD HEMI V8
The most complete HEMI V8 build available
GT Premium AWD HEMI V8
Confirm availability on the specific vehicle in stock. For current pricing and any active Durango programs:
Ed Martin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is the Anderson dealership where Central Indiana Durango buyers can pin down the
trim and Tow ’n Go setup they want, then drive off knowing the window price is the price they work from. Our Up Front
Guaranteed Pricing means the number you see is where the conversation begins, with no end-of-negotiation surprises.
Every new Durango comes with a set of programs we stand behind directly:
Program
What it means for you
Up Front Guaranteed Pricing
The window price is the starting point; no hidden fees after
Complimentary First Oil Change
Included with every new vehicle purchase
Free Car Washes for Life
Available to original owners, new and used vehicles
Saturday Service
Our service center is open Saturdays
When you are ready to see which Durangos are in stock and how they are configured:
The Durango comes new or as a factory Mopar Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. The CPO route gets you a more recent Durango
at a lower entry point while keeping factory-backed coverage, a documented inspection, and a CARFAX report. Every
Mopar Certified Pre-Owned vehicle clears our 125-point inspection before it earns the badge.
Two CPO tiers cover different model years and mileage ranges:
Feature
CPO Base
CPO GO
Model years eligible
2020 to 2025
2015 to 2025
Mileage limit
Under 75,000 miles
Under 120,000 miles
Powertrain warranty
7-year / 100,000-mile (from original sale date)
Major powertrain coverage
Maximum Care coverage
3-month / 3,000-mile (5,000+ components)
3-month / 3,000-mile
24-hr roadside assistance
Included (Sign and Go)
Included (Sign and Go)
Rental allowance
Up to $35/day ($175 max)
Up to $35/day ($175 max)
CARFAX Vehicle History Report
Included
Included
125-point inspection
Included
Included
CPO Base is the stronger coverage tier for recent, lower-mileage vehicles. Its 7-year / 100,000-mile powertrain limited
warranty runs from the original sale date and covers the engine, transmission, and major powertrain components, and the
Maximum Care plan reaches more than 5,000 components for the first 3 months or 3,000 miles. CPO GO opens the door to
older or higher-mileage vehicles where the full powertrain term has run out, and still brings factory inspection, CARFAX
history, Maximum Care coverage, and roadside assistance. See dealer for full details on deductibles and coverage terms.
To browse certified inventory or read up on the program:
Financing a Durango follows a clear path, whether your credit is strong, you are rebuilding it, or you have been
turned down somewhere else. Our finance team works with every credit situation, including buyers new to the country
and those carrying missed payments.
Set your budget. Settle on a comfortable monthly payment and down payment before you shop. Engine and
trim move the payment a lot, so knowing your number lets you work backward to the right configuration instead of
falling for a trim that does not fit.
Get pre-approved. Apply before you visit and you walk in already knowing your terms. If your credit
history is complicated, our
Unfreeze Your Credit
process is built for buyers who have been turned down elsewhere, are new to the country, or are climbing back from
missed payments. Start there.
Pick your Durango. Choose the V6 or HEMI V8 build that fits how you drive, confirm the drive
configuration, and check that Tow ’n Go is on the specific vehicle if towing is a must.
Apply your trade and offers. Bring your current vehicle into the deal and check the specials hub for
any active Durango programs. Our trade team values the vehicle in person.
Finalize and drive home. Go over your terms with our finance team, sign the paperwork, and confirm
any new-owner programs before you leave.
Up to 8,700 lbs with the 5.7L HEMI V8 and the Tow ’n Go package. The V6 tows lighter loads. Capacity depends on
the engine, package, and configuration, so confirm the rating on the vehicle you are looking at, and weigh the
trailer’s loaded weight, not its dry weight, against it.
Two: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and the 5.7L HEMI V8. The V6 returns an EPA-estimated 18 city / 25 highway in
rear-wheel drive and handles daily driving efficiently. The HEMI V8 returns an EPA-estimated 14 city / 21
highway and is the engine that reaches the 8,700-lb tow rating with Tow ’n Go. If towing and V8 power top your
list, the HEMI is the clear pick. If fuel economy and commuting are the main job, the V6 covers both well.
Yes. The Durango offers available third-row seating, so you have room for extra passengers when you need it and
a flat floor when you don’t. That third row is built for occasional riders, and it is the thing that separates
the Durango from a two-row crossover when the passenger count climbs. If you need a permanent third-row seat for
adults on long daily routes, check the legroom on the specific configuration before you commit.
At launch, the 2026 Durango lineup started at $38,995, excluding destination. Pricing on a specific trim and
configuration shifts with equipment and current programs, so check the latest figures at the specials hub rather
than leaning on the launch number for your exact build.
Yes. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the GT. All-wheel drive is available on the GT Plus and comes standard on
all three HEMI V8 trims: the GT AWD HEMI V8, GT Plus AWD HEMI V8, and GT Premium AWD HEMI V8. For Central
Indiana winters, AWD adds year-round confidence on wet or snow-covered roads without needing a separate winter
vehicle.
The V6 leans toward fuel economy and easy daily driving; the HEMI V8 leans toward power and towing. In numbers:
the V6 returns an EPA-estimated 18 city / 25 highway in rear-wheel drive, while the HEMI V8 returns about 14
city / 21 highway and tows up to 8,700 lbs with Tow ’n Go. The 4-mpg gap in each direction matters for a daily
driver. If you tow often or want V8 performance, the HEMI earns that fuel cost. If commuting and lighter loads
fill most of your week, the V6 gives you solid capability at lower running cost.
The Durango earned a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Category ratings vary by test, so the full NHTSA
breakdown for the configuration you are considering gives you the most complete picture.
Tow ’n Go is the package that raises the Durango’s towing to up to 8,700 lbs on the HEMI V8, bundling the
equipment needed for heavier pulling. Without it, the HEMI V8 still tows, just at a lower maximum than the rated
8,700-lb figure. Availability depends on the trim, so confirm it on the specific vehicle before you buy.
CPO Base covers 2020 to 2025 vehicles under 75,000 miles and includes a 7-year / 100,000-mile powertrain limited
warranty from the original sale date, plus 3-month / 3,000-mile Maximum Care coverage for more than 5,000
components. CPO GO covers a wider range: 2015 to 2025 model years under 120,000 miles, with 3-month / 3,000-mile
Maximum Care and major-powertrain coverage. Both tiers include the 125-point inspection, a CARFAX report,
24-hour Sign and Go roadside assistance, and a rental allowance up to $35 per day. CPO Base is the stronger
powertrain coverage for a recent, lower-mileage Durango. CPO GO is the path for an older or higher-mileage
vehicle you still want factory-backed.
Yes. A Mopar Certified Pre-Owned Durango clears our 125-point inspection and comes with a CARFAX Vehicle History
Report. CPO Base vehicles carry a 7-year / 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty from the original sale date.
CPO GO vehicles include Maximum Care and major-powertrain coverage. Both tiers include roadside assistance and a
rental allowance. Browse certified Durango inventory or see the program page for current availability and full
terms.
Start at our specials hub for current pricing and any active programs, then browse the inventory to see which
Durangos are in stock and how they are configured. Both are linked on this page.
