2026 Dodge Durango

 

Test Vehicle: 2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak

Powertrain: Supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI• Hellcat V-8 

Horsepower: 710 HP

Exterior Color:  Destroyer Gray with Redline/Black Dual Stripes 

Interior Color:  High Performance Laguna Leather

Notable Options: Jailbreak Package ($995), Premium  Paint ($595), Redline Stripes ($1,495), Premium Group ($1,995), Red Seatbelts ($495), Red Badging ($595)

Price as tested: $88,160 (with destination charge)

 

Pros: Powerful Engine,  Performance Handling, Towing Capacity, User-Friendly Infotainment

Cons: Dated Platform, Low Fuel-Economy, Tight Third-Row

 

The Dodge Durango first came to market for 1998 and has seen three generations. The current third generation model first debuted for 2011 and hasn't changed much aesthetically since then.  Dodge has, however, continued to keep the Durango relevant by keeping up with the technology updates and offering special versions of it such as the SRT Hellcat model that was added to the lineup for 2021 and continues into 2024. New for 2026  is the return of the legendary 6.4L ‘392’ HEMI V8, a new R/T 392 Launch Edition, Blacktop Redline Appearance Package, new colors including Green Machine and reintroduction of BS Blue, and the SRT Hellcat is back for 2026with an expanded Jailbreak customization package. 

 

The Durango is currently Dodge's only available three-row SUV, and it tends to wear the "performance" badge in a very full segment of competition. Durangos are built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit and share some powertrains, chassis parts, and running gear.  Competition is mixed for a vehicle like the Durango as there are no other real "muscle car" type of three row SUVs. The typical three-row mid-size SUV line up consists of vehicles such as the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, or the Volkswagen Atlas among others. 

 

There are eight different trim levels available with starting prices ranging from $38,995 up to $80,990. Trim levels include GT,  GT Plus, GT HEMI V8, GT Plus HEMI, GT Premium HEMI, R/T 392 Launch Edition, SRT Hellcat, and SRT Hellcat Jailbreak. Each model offers a slightly different Durango experience, but all of them cater to the driver & passengers with up to three rows of seats and plenty of horsepower. SRT models include features such as a "smoke show" start-up animation in the digital cluster, unique sporty serpentine font throughout the digital gauges, SRT logos, and performance features like race options, launch control, and shift light features. The SRT Hellcat is truly built to be a three-row muscle car.

 

Under the hood are four different powertrains that deliver more horsepower than ever across the Durango lineup that all mate to standard eight-speed automatic transmission. GT models come standard with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 that delivers 295 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Step up to the HEMI models and the standard powertrain is a 5.7L HEMI V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque.  SRT models come with the 6.4 L 392-cubic-inch HEMI V8 that churns 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. And the most powerful SRT Jailbreak gets a 710-horsepower supercharged 6.2L HEMI Hellcat V8... which will likely be the coolest three row SUV in the school pick up lines. I spent time in the top tier Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak with some added options  and here’s what stood out…

 

 

Exterior:

Dodge last updated exterior styling slightly in 2021. All Durangos share a wide upper grille with a slimmer headlight shape. Lights feature an LED daytime running light signature along with a sculpted hood and rear spoiler. Around back is a full-length LED lightbar that extends across the hatch. Dodge offers a wide range of  wheel options (varying with each trim level) throughout the lineup, most of which are 20-inch in size.  Wheel finishes include a fine silver, satin carbon, machine-faced, and black. Ten colors are available across the lineup, all with a subtle earth tone palette. Other exterior options include Mopar racing stripes in blue, red, gunmetal, black, carbon fiber and silver starting at $1,495. Also available on the SRT Hellcat Jailbreak is a gloss black painted hood for $2,995. The overall look of the Durango will vary based on trim level but it's fair to say that regardless of trim, this SUV has a muscular vibe. I’d like to see some changes on the horizon as it's currently one of the oldest models on the market. 

 

 

Powertrain / Performance:

While my Destroyer Gray SRT Hellcat Jailbreak test model garnered more than a few looks while parked, it was the rumbling HEMI that had the neighbors peering over the fence as I pulled in the driveway.  Under the hood was the supercharged  392-cubic-inch HEMI V8 that churns out 710  horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque. I can assure you that it not only looks and sounds the part, but it performs as well. 0-60 time is an impressive 3.5 seconds and it has an and a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-certified quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.5 seconds reaching a top speed of 180 mph.

 

Upon starting it up, you have a choice of drive modes including track, sport, auto, snow, tow or a custom mode you can calibrate.  Performance and vehicle specs can be seen in the infotainment system so that you can see what components are active within each drive mode. Track mode will optimize the performance and let an even deeper rumble from the SRT-performance exhaust that was music to my ears.  Track mode will also turn the traction control off so it's wise to keep both hands on the steering wheel and make sure (as a driver) that you can handle the 5,378-pound SUV.

 

Straight highway driving is blast in this SUV, especially when you can hit the gas off an entrance ramp.  Its heavy weight keeps the Durango grounded but be wary of cornering or sharp turns as the taller roofline gives it a lot of body lean. Dodge has given it larger Brembo brakes so that it can come to a stop smoothly and quickly.  Overall road noise was minimal outside that soft rumble that you'll enjoy hearing. From a standstill, acceleration is impressive and the eight-speed transmission navigates the gears appropriately. Steering-mounted paddle shifters are available if you'd like to control the gears yourself. A driver-oriented electronic T-shifter is in the center stack that also offers an auto stick selector gate if the paddles aren't your thing. Since Dodge treats this like another muscle car, it comes with a fairly stiff suspension that differs from many class competitors. You may feel more road inconsistencies, but you'll be having a good time while you do it. Steering is tighter than other SUVS, but with the weight and size of the Durango, it's not nearly as nimble as a traditional sports car.  Overall, handling can get out of control on a curvy stretch of road so pay close attention to your throttle to maintain control. With the right driver though, this thing can haul. Dodge put both SRT variants on the track at the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally at Road America in Wisconsin, and these SUVs were cooking around the corners of the iconic track. Journalists pushed them to their max and came away with smiles on their faces. 

Capability:

Many three-row family haulers pull double duty on the weekends, and the Durango is one of the best offering up to 8,700 pounds of towing capacity where most vehicles in the segment only offer 5,000 pounds. SRT models come standard with All Wheel Drive, and a low range offers off-road capabilities and trailer towing needs. Durangos come with 8.1-inches of ground clearance which is comparable to a Kia Telluride but less than the 8.6-inches found in a Grand Cherokee. If you're thinking about taking the Durango off-road, note that the SRT 392 had 295/45ZR20 tires which are better suited for the pavement than an off-road trail so you may want to invest in a separate set of all-season or off-road type of tires for those types of adventures.... Or consider a non-SRT version of the Durango.

 

Fuel Economy:

Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak is unapologetically thirsty. With a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, fuel economy is clearly not the priority — brute force is. When it arrived with a full 24.6-gallon tank, it offered up 350 miles of range. EPA ratings are 12/17/13 MPG city/highway/combined and after a week of driving, I averaged 12.5 MPG on a mix of suburban roads. Premium fuel is recommended on the SRT models while regular grade is acceptable on other trims.  The most efficient Durango would be the 3.6L RWD V6 model that gets up to 26 MPG on the highway. The Durango Hellcat Jailbreak is one of those vehicles you buy with your heart, not your calculator. Its fuel economy is objectively poor, but the payoff is extraordinary acceleration, V8 sound, and muscle-car character in a three-row SUV package. 

 

Interior:

The interior has a spacious feel and features a driver-centric cockpit, instrument panel, center console and front door with seat memory switches for ease of access across the full Durango lineup. Its cabin doesn’t try to be minimalist or ultra-futuristic like newer competitors. Instead, Dodge leans heavily into performance-inspired design, physical controls, and customization. Drivers face traditional clusters behind the steering wheel with a sporty look that illuminates with red/white gauges. The overall layout is traditional and functional, which is a breath of fresh air from some more complicated high-tech digital trends we've seen. Some added performance touches include:

 

• Flat-bottom steering wheel with illuminated SRT logo
• Paddle shifters
• Available carbon-fiber trim
• Hellcat and Jailbreak badging
• Microsuede and leather performance seats
• Contrast stitching and colored seatbelt options

 

Upper trims look sporty and upscale at first, but the materials themselves are more basic with hard plastics and older, shared switchgear you’ll find in other Stellantis products. The center console also features a wireless phone charger, two couple holders, and traditional (and sporty) T-shaped gear selector. The materials are soft to the touch and accent-stitching is featured throughout the Durango lineup. Dodge has also given the Durango a variety of new interior colors and finishes that vary with each trim level. Overall, the interior has some personality and a vibe all its own. It’s not a vanilla interior that you’ll see in other SUVs, but one that is inspired by the power under the hood.

 

Technology:

Technology has been updated with the latest Uconnect 5 system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the available Amazon Alexa integration will allow you to ask Alexa to do things such as start the car, lock/unlock the doors and more via Uconnect. An 8.4-inch touchscreen is standard on GT models, but a larger 10.1- inch touchscreen is standard on the rest of the Durango lineup. The screen has a slight angle towards the driver and is within arms reach for easy controls.  The touchscreen controls just about everything including vehicle information such as drive modes, drive timers, and vehicle dynamics on SRT models. The available Harmon Kardon sound system sounds amazing with 19 amped speakers and a subwoofer. Other features include a wireless smartphone charger, dual bluetooth phone connections, available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, smartphone access via an app, and multiple USB ports. 

 

Below the touchscreen are familiar knobs and buttons for climate controls, volume, and tuning. And just below that are toggle switches that have a retro-modern feel to them. Comfort controls are easier to access with dedicated heated and cooled seat buttons. The toggle switches include an SRT and Launch Control switch on SRT models and the rest control driver assistance features and the hazard lights.  On higher trims like the SRT and Hellcat models, the system adds Performance Pages / SRT Pages that will provide real-time horsepower and torque output, 0–60 timers and quarter-mile tracking, G-force meters, and engine and drivetrain monitoring. This gives the Durango a “muscle-car dashboard” experience that most three-row SUVs don’t offer.

 

Seating:

Seating configurations vary with the trim level. Three rows of seats are standard on most models. Most will feature captain’s chairs in the second row making access to the third row relatively easy. When the kids sat in the back third row of previous models, all were comfortable. As an adult, the third row was average compared to others in this class.  Note that the third row accommodates two passengers and not three like some of the competition. With such a variety of trim levels, Dodge says there are over 50 different ways to configure a Durango between five, six, or seven passengers. The SRT Hellcat Jailbreak is configured differently  and can be fully customized with different color seatbelts, badging, and more inside. Its standard configuration is as a 5-passenger SUV without the third row as it emphasizes the performance. Both six or seven passenger configurations are available though. It came with high performance leather/suede seats that were very comfortable and look great inside. For some added style points,  red seatbelts and accent stitching are available. Also available to tie it all together is a premium suede headliner that you're just going to want to touch every time you get in.  There is ample head, leg, and shoulder room in the front two rows and the seats offer more than enough cushion for a comfortable long-distance drive. 

 

Cargo Capacity:

There is 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats which is average for the segment. With the third row folded it offers 43.3 cubic feet and with all seats down, 85.1 cubic feet. The power liftgate and wide opening make load-in and out easy, however note that lower trim models will come standard with a manual tailgate. Overall space is average for the class. 

 

Safety:

The Durango includes a solid baseline safety package, but many of the more advanced driver-assistance systems are optional rather than fully standard, especially on performance trims like the Hellcat. Standard Safety Features on most 2026 Durango trims include:

 

• Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection
• ParkView Rear Backup Camera with dynamic guidelines
• Rear ParkSense sensors (parking assistance)
• Electronic Stability Control 
• Traction control system
• Advanced Brake Assist / emergency braking support
• 7–8 airbags depending on configuration (front, side, curtain, knee)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System 
• Anti-lock braking system 
• Post-collision safety response system
•  

Other available features that are optional or package-dependent (more common on GT Plus, R/T, and Hellcat builds):

 

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Forward Collision Warning with Active Emergency Braking
• LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist
• Rain Brake Support (prepares brakes in wet conditions)

• Blind Spot Monitoring with Trailer Tow Detection
• Extends blind-spot coverage to trailer length
• Trailer sway control (integrated stability logic)

• ParkSense front park assist (with braking support on some trims)
• Rear cross-traffic alerts integrated with parking sensors
• Available enhanced parking guidance depending on package

 

Final Statement:

The Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak is hands down, one of the most fun family haulers you can buy. The 710 horsepower under the hood with that tough sounding exhaust note had me wanting to take the kids everywhere… and quickly! And if you want to or have the opportunity to take it on the track, it’s more than capable for some hot laps. Despite its dated platform, the interior has been updated and all the technology inside works seamless. This one is sure to make some noise at the school pick up lines and on a family road trip. There’s really nothing else like it on the market.