Our Opinion - 2026 Dodge Charger Review “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is what Dodge has done with the 2026 Durango, which is now in its second decade of production. Although the company has improved the interior of this three-row SUV over the years, the current model features a 10.1-inch touchscreen and optional extras like air-conditioned front seats and high-end stereos, yet it still feels pretty old-fashioned. A 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V-6 with rear-wheel drive is the smallest engine that can be bought. The Durango R/T models have a 360-hp V-8 engine if you need more power than 295 horsepower. The range wouldn’t be complete without an SRT Hellcat version, but since the Durango is a Dodge, we’ll talk about that 710-hp supercharged beast on its own. What's New? In 2026, Dodge will add a new Blacktop Redline choice to the V-8-powered Durango R/T. On both ends, it features SRT aerodynamic add-ons, with black wheels and badges, measuring 20 inches. Pros and Cons Pros: It’s fast for a big SUV. Easy access to V-8 motors There are almost infinite ways to jailbreak your phone. Cons: Weak and Outdated Features. Disappointing safety scores. Engine, Transmission, and Performance There are four engine options: a 3.6-liter V-6 with 295 horsepower, a 5.7-liter V-8 with 360 horsepower, and an 8-speed automatic transmission. It has both all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. For an extra $2,000, buyers can get all-wheel drive, but the base Durango GT is the only car that comes with rear-wheel drive. The 295-hp V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox will work well for most casual drivers, but they won’t be very exciting. The R/T’s V-8 engine gives it a lot more speed and towing capacity, but it uses more gas. The Durango is designed to look and feel like a powerful car, and its rear-wheel-drive system makes it fun to drive. Still, it’s a good SUV for families because it’s easy to live with and fun to drive, thanks to the springs that aren’t too stiff. Safety Many of the Durango’s safety features are optional, requiring an extra cost for the full suite. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert come standard. Buyers can also opt for additional safety technologies like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The Durango has a 10.1-inch touchscreen on the inside, which became standard last year and makes it look modern even though it’s old. First Row: This is comfy and well-designed, and the design fits Dodge’s signature style of combining luxury and muscle cars. Second Row: The second row of some SUV competitors offers more space for passengers, but the Durator’s second row is suitable for adults. For the second row, most people use a bench with three seats, but you can also use a pair of captain’s chairs if you’d rather. Third Row: We like the high back because it makes a small area feel bigger. However, it’s harder to get into the third row because the bench in the second row doesn’t slide. Cargo Space: The Durango could fit 30 carry-on bags with all of the back seats folded down, but only four behind the third row. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The fuel economy test showed that the V-6 got 22 mpg and the V-8 R/T got 23 mpg. How the EPA rates cities: 14 to 18 mpg The EPA says it gets 22 to 25 mpg on the highway. The EPA hasn’t shared its estimates for the 2026 Dodge Durango’s gas mileage yet, but they should stay the same. The V-6 can get up to 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, while the V-8 can get up to 14 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Here’s what the government says. The 2020 Durango R/T with a V-8 engine surprised us by getting 23 mpg on the highway, which was better than both the V-6 Durango’s rate of 22 mpg and the EPA’s rating. Infotainment and Connectivity For entertainment, the Durango features a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audio options include a standard 6-speaker stereo, an available 10-speaker Alpine system, and an optional 20-speaker Harman/Kardon setup. The user-friendly Uconnect infotainment system operates through the 10.1-inch display and supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Bluetooth call quality is clear, with one driver noting that even the powerful rumble of the V-8 engine was audible during a call. Range, Charging, and Battery Life The V-8 with AWD took 6.2 seconds to test, while the V-6 with AWD took 7.4 seconds. We looked at the Durango more than ten years ago, and not much has changed since then. The Durango with all-wheel drive and a V-6 engine went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The V-8 car took 6.2 seconds to finish the class. Towing and Payload Capacity Vehicles with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine can pull up to 6200 pounds. Vehicles with a 5.7-liter V-8 engine can pull up to 7200 pounds or 8700 pounds with the Tow and Go option. Price and How to Choose Several models and options can affect the cost of the 2026 Dodge Durango. The tried-and-true V-6 engine, 20-inch wheels, a rear load-leveling suspension, front-seat ventilation, heated second-row seats, and other niceties make the GT Plus the right choice.
