Dodge Durango V-6: The Engine That Returns to Lower the Price and Meet Demand

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine returns to the 2026 Dodge Durango lineup in the GT trim. This decision responds to public demand, managing to lower the model’s starting price by $3,500.

When Dodge announced the 2026 Durango lineup earlier this year, a key absence was noted. Dodge had dropped the SUV’s V-6 engine, opting for an all-V-8 powertrain lineup. However, the six-cylinder engine is now returning for the Durango GT trim. This return happens because, according to Dodge, people asked for it.

The decision also comes as the supply of Hemi engines “ramps up.” The reintroduction of the V-6 is crucial for the model’s competitiveness. Without this option, the Durango had become one of the most expensive three-row SUVs on the market. Other competitors, such as the Kia Telluride and the Ford Explorer, have lower starting MSRPs.

Pentastar Engine Performance and Pricing

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine produces 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet (353 Nm) of torque. These figures are the same as before. This engine slots below the Hemi-powered GT, which makes 360 HP from the 5.7-liter V-8.

The 2026 Durango GT with the V-6 will start at $40,990 (including the $1,995 destination charge). This is $500 more than the 2025 model. Most importantly, it is $3,500 cheaper than the GT Hemi, which starts at $44,490. The V-6 model can include all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000.

Model Longevity and the Hemi Future

The third-generation Dodge Durango entered production in 2010. It launched for the 2011 model year with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 under the hood. The SUV has received several updates over the last 15 years. A new Durango is expected for 2029. Nevertheless, buyers can expect few major changes to the model until then.

Dodge continues to offer the SUV with the 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. Order books for this engine open in the first quarter of 2026. The engine will make 475 HP in the Durango R/T. If you want even more power, the Durango SRT Hellcat lives on. Its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 produces 710 HP. It is now possible to buy the high-powered Durango in more states. Finally, order books for the V-6-powered GT are now open, ending the Durango’s all-V-8 lineup.