2026 Dodge Durango Engine Options: Power, Performance & Towing Capability in Lewisville, TX

The 2026 Dodge Durango doesn't ask you to settle. Whether you're hauling a boat to Lake Lewisville on a Saturday morning or handling the school run on a Tuesday, the Durango lineup is structured to match how you actually use it. Dodge has organized the 2026 Dodge Durango engine options deliberately across trims, giving buyers a clear path through four very different powertrains.

2026 Dodge Durango Engine Options: What's Available This Year

The 2026 Durango lineup leans hard into V8 territory, signaling a clear commitment to performance at every level. Dodge's thinking is straightforward: if you're buying a three-row SUV with a muscular stance and rear-wheel-drive roots, the engine should match the attitude. The lineup covers four core configurations: the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the 5.7L HEMI V8, the 6.4L HEMI V8, and the 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8.

Each targets a different kind of driver, and understanding the differences makes the buying process significantly easier.

GT Trim: Two Engine Choices for Every Type of Driver

The GT trim offers buyers an unusual amount of flexibility. Most trim levels lock you into a single powertrain, but the GT provides two distinct engine paths depending on your priorities. Two buyers can both choose the GT badge and walk away with very different driving experiences. The standard GT runs the 3.6L Pentastar V6, while the GT HEMI V8 steps up to the 360-horsepower 5.7L, which Dodge bills as the most affordable AWD V8 in the industry.

3.6L Pentastar V6 – Efficient Power for Daily Use

The base GT engine is the 3.6L Pentastar V6, producing 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque paired with an 8-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. EPA-estimated fuel economy runs approximately 18 city / 25 hwy mpg, and Dodge rates towing capacity at up to 6,200 lbs, which is best-in-class for a V6 in this segment. For North Texas drivers who log significant miles on highways like 35E or 121, that efficiency adds up over time.

The Pentastar V6's appeal is straightforward: it's an honest daily engine that does exactly what's asked of it. If your primary use case is commuting and family hauling rather than towing or weekend performance, the V6 handles those demands with minimal fuss.

5.7L HEMI V8 – Upgraded Performance in the GT Package

Opting for the 5.7L HEMI V8 in the GT changes the conversation entirely. Dodge equips this engine with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, and the difference in daily driving is immediately apparent. Acceleration feels more confident, passing power on the highway becomes effortless, and towing capacity climbs to 7,200 lbs. With the Tow 'n Go package, that figure reaches 8,700 lbs, best-in-class available towing for the segment. Fuel economy settles around 14 city / 21 hwy mpg.

The 5.7L HEMI V8 also benefits from cylinder deactivation technology, which helps manage consumption during lighter driving. This same engine serves as the standard powerplant in the R/T, so GT HEMI buyers are getting R/T-level muscle in the GT's more value-focused package. For drivers who want the GT's refinement and features but also need real capability on weekends, this engine makes a strong case.

R/T and R/T 392: From the 5.7L HEMI to the 392

The Durango R/T marks the transition from capable family SUV to genuine performance vehicle. The R/T comes standard with the 5.7L HEMI V8 at 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, the same engine offered on the GT HEMI, paired with a performance-tuned chassis.

For buyers who want a clear step beyond that, Dodge brought back the 392 for 2026 in the form of the R/T 392, which features a 6.4L HEMI V8 producing 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. That's the first time the 392 has appeared in an R/T, and it positions the R/T 392 as the most powerful SUV in the segment under $50,000. Fuel economy for the 6.4L is rated at approximately 13 city / 19 hwy mpg, and the R/T 392 achieves up to 8,700-lb towing capacity when properly equipped, with a Dodge-rated 0 to 60 of 4.4 seconds.

The 6.4L HEMI V8 delivers serious muscle without the operating costs of the supercharged option. The R/T 392 Launch Edition is now open for order in all 50 states, with a starting MSRP of $49,995, making it an accessible path to 392 power without waiting.

What separates these trims from simply having more power is how well that output integrates with the rest of the package. Both come with a performance-tuned suspension and upgraded braking that let you actually use the engine's capability with confidence, and the R/T 392 Launch Edition adds adaptive-damping suspension and red Brembo six-piston front brakes. For drivers in the Denton County and Dallas-Fort Worth area who want a daily driver that doubles as a weekend performance machine, the R/T and R/T 392 strike a strong balance.

SRT Hellcat Trim: The 6.2L Supercharged HEMI V8 Explained

Dodge equipped the SRT Hellcat with a 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, a figure that's remarkable for a three-row family SUV by any measure. Dodge rates the 0–60 mph run at 3.5 seconds. Towing capacity matches the R/T at 8,700 lbs standard, and fuel economy is rated approximately 12 city / 17 hwy mpg. Seven seats and supercar-level acceleration in the same vehicle is a combination that no other vehicle in this segment currently offers.

The SRT Hellcat pairs that engine with advanced traction management systems and performance braking hardware that help translate all that power into controlled, repeatable speed. The traction and braking technology aren't just safety features; they're what make the driving experience feel purposeful rather than frantic. The Durango SRT Hellcat rewards driver engagement while remaining composed enough for a school pickup line.

2026 Dodge Durango Engine Options Compared Side by Side

The table below compares all four 2026 Durango engine options for quick reference.

Each step up in displacement comes with corresponding changes to chassis tuning, so the driving feel evolves genuinely across trims rather than just swapping numbers on a spec sheet.

How to Pick the Right Durango Engine for Your North Texas Lifestyle

Choosing between the 2026 Dodge Durango engine options comes down to how you actually use the vehicle week in and week out. North Texas living involves a mix of highway commuting, suburban driving, and access to open roads and lake country that rewards having real capability on tap.

Daily Driving and Efficiency

For drivers whose primary use is commuting through Lewisville, Flower Mound, or Highland Village, the 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a practical, capable choice. At up to 25 mpg on the highway and a 6,200-lb tow rating, it handles everyday demands without unnecessary operating costs.

If performance matters on the days you need it but fuel efficiency still factors into the decision, the 5.7L HEMI V8 in the GT delivers 360 hp with cylinder deactivation helping manage consumption during lighter driving.

Towing and Utility

If your weekends involve towing a boat, hauling an RV to Possum Kingdom, or running heavy cargo, the V8 options are the ones to focus on. The 5.7L HEMI V8, available on both the GT HEMI and the standard R/T, reaches 8,700 lbs of towing capacity with Tow 'n Go. The R/T 392's 6.4L HEMI V8 achieves that same 8,700-lb rating when properly equipped, with 475 hp on tap for confident pulls on inclines and in summer heat. Either is a serious tow vehicle in a family-SUV package.

Performance-First Buyers

For buyers who want maximum output without concessions on acceleration, the SRT Hellcat stands apart. At 710 hp, 645 lb-ft of torque, and a Dodge-rated 3.5-second 0–60 time, nothing else in the three-row SUV segment comes close. The R/T 392 remains the practical alternative: 475 hp, up to 8,700-lb towing when properly equipped, and serious performance without the supercharged model's fuel and operating costs.

We recommend starting by browsing the current Durango lineup in Lewisville to see which trims and configurations are available and ready to drive.

Explore the 2026 Dodge Durango at Huffines CJDR Lewisville

If you're weighing the 2026 Durango and want to feel the difference between trim levels firsthand, Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Lewisville is the right place to start. Located at 1024 South Stemmons Freeway in Lewisville, we carry a strong inventory of new Dodge vehicles, including the full 2026 Durango lineup across all trim levels.

Our sales team is genuinely familiar with every Durango configuration and can walk you through the real-world differences between the GT, R/T, R/T 392, and SRT Hellcat based on what matters most to you, whether that's towing capacity, fuel costs, or outright performance. Huffines has earned multiple J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence awards, Consumers' Choice Awards, and Best in DFW honors because of exactly that kind of straightforward experience.

Sales hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. You can reach our sales department directly at 972-316-4023. Our service department supports your Durango long-term with factory-trained technicians and genuine MOPAR parts. You can also contact our team online to schedule a test drive or ask questions before you visit.