The Hemi V8 Is Back!

Dodge Durango shoppers have a growing list of engine options to choose from. The latest mill making a return? It’s the mighty 6.4-liter Hemi V8, and it’s now standard on the Durango R/T.

For the 2026 model year, Dodge delivers a Durango packing potent power, plenty of standard features, and an appealing starting price that sits at $49,995 before any taxes or fees.

Dodge says its 392-cubic-inch V8 will be the standard engine for the R/T model. Output is rated at 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. That power flows through the TorqueFlite eight-speed gearbox out to all four wheels.

The automaker quotes a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. This Durango will also dispatch a quarter-mile in just 12.9 seconds. So if your morning school runs are measured in stoplight dashes, you should be able to get your kids to school in a hurry.

This model marks the first time the 392 has been offered on the Durango R/T.

This SUV features an all-wheel-drive system that varies the torque split between the front and rear axles as needed. Dodge hasn’t spilled the full beans on the actual torque-split figures, but does say the system is rear-biased.

You also get adaptive damping suspension and an electronic limited-slip rear differential. Pair all of that with the large Brembo six-piston front brakes and SRT Performance Drive modes, and it sounds like the Durango R/T will be the smart money buy for those seeking the most bang for your buck.

Dodge kicks off the model year with the Durango R/T 392 Launch Edition. This one comes standard with the darker trim elements of the Blacktop Package, 20-inch wheels, Nappa leather seats with SRT bolsters, and second-row captain’s chairs. Both the front and second row seats are heated, and the front seats are ventilated as well.

You can step up to the R/T 392 Premium to add on an 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, leather interior trim, the trailer tow package, and a sunroof. Regardless, you’re getting a ton of truck for the price, on either version.

Plus, there’s always more if you want to jump to the 710-hp Durango Hellcat. That one starts just over $80,000—and even at that price, that’s a decent deal on a power-per-dollar basis.

Motor1’s Take: Dodge buyers want big V8 engines, so the automaker is giving them what they want. Even if the Hurricane options offer great power, less weight, better fuel economy, and a lower cost, the Dodge shopper prefers the noise that V8 makes. And honestly, we can’t blame them—especially since the 6.4 is actually the best-sounding engine in the lineup.

Yes, we’re including the Hellcat in that conversation.