The 2026 Dodge Durango: The Last Three-Row SUV That Still Comes With a V8

The Dodge Durango is a three-row SUV built on a rear-drive-based platform with available HEMI V8 power. For 2026 Dodge leaned further into that identity, expanding the V8 options across the lineup and adding a Blacktop Redline appearance package.

Nearly every three-row SUV on the market now runs a turbocharged four-cylinder or a V6. The Durango is the outlier, and for 2026 Dodge doubled down on the thing that makes it different rather than chasing the segment.

What makes it a different kind of three-row

Most three-row family SUVs are built on front-wheel-drive car platforms. The Durango is not. It uses a rear-drive-based architecture with available all-wheel drive, which is closer to how a truck or a performance sedan is laid out.

That shows up in how it behaves. It tows better than most crossovers its size, it feels planted rather than tall, and it has a mechanical character that people either want specifically or do not care about at all.

It also means the Durango can accept a V8, which a transverse front-drive layout largely cannot. If you are shopping the broader lineup, our Rome truck and SUV selection covers the rest.

The 2026 lineup

Dodge has shifted the Durango lineup toward HEMI power for 2026, with V8 availability expanded across more trims than in past years. The Blacktop Redline package is new, adding Black Noise wheels, blacked-out badging and front and rear spoilers.

The Tow N Go package returns as a standalone option, bundling the towing hardware with performance wheels and Brembo brakes. Dodge also introduced a limited America 250th Anniversary Edition available on select trims.

Current programs are posted on our lease and finance page.

At the top of the range sits the SRT Hellcat, which produces power figures that have no business in a vehicle with three rows of seats and remains one of the more absurd things you can buy from a mainstream dealership.

Towing

The Durango’s towing capability is one of its strongest arguments and the reason a lot of Northwest Georgia buyers end up here rather than in a crossover.

For anyone pulling a boat to Weiss Lake, a camper toward the mountains, or a utility trailer for work, the Durango handles it in a way that most three-row SUVs simply do not. The Tow N Go package exists for exactly that buyer.

As always, the rating that matters is the one for your specific configuration, not the maximum. Engine, axle ratio and drivetrain all move the number, and tongue weight counts against payload before you approach the tow limit.

The seating question

The Durango offers five, six and seven passenger configurations depending on trim and whether you choose second-row captain’s chairs or a bench.

The third row is usable, though this is not a vehicle that prioritizes third-row space above all else. If maximum passenger room is your first requirement, there are better options. If you want three rows plus towing plus a V8, the list of alternatives is very short.

If a used Durango fits the budget better, check our pre-owned inventory, our used Jeep selection, and our certified pre-owned guide.

Living with one

A V8 three-row SUV is not the efficiency choice and nobody buys one expecting it to be. What you get in exchange is capability and character.

Maintenance is conventional, and towing puts you on the severe-duty schedule with shorter fluid and brake intervals. Our service and oil change page covers routine work, our oil change offer is current, and our dealer versus third-party service comparison explains the differences. Our service department can set the right schedule, and current service coupons are posted online.

Browse new inventory and our Dodge selection, check used vehicles, or value your trade. If credit is a concern, we have financing options worth discussing. Cartersville-area shoppers can start at our Cartersville Dodge page or our Cartersville Jeep page, and Calhoun shoppers can use our Calhoun page and Calhoun financing page. Read more about us and our customer reviews.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Durango still come with a V8? Yes. It is one of the few three-row SUVs that offers one, and Dodge expanded V8 availability across the 2026 lineup.

How much can a Durango tow? Capability varies by engine and configuration. Check the rating for your specific vehicle rather than a maximum figure, and remember tongue weight counts against payload.

How many people does it seat? Five, six or seven depending on trim and second-row configuration.

Is the Durango all-wheel drive? All-wheel drive is available across the lineup, with availability by trim varying. Check current inventory.

What is the Tow N Go package? A standalone option on R/T that bundles towing hardware with performance wheels and upgraded brakes.

Come drive one at Greenway CDJR of Rome.