The 2026 Dodge Durango R/T Is Still Fun After 15 Years, But That Might Not Be Enough | Review

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The Dodge Durango has been round lengthy sufficient that calling it outdated barely counts as an statement. This technology arrived in 2010 for the 2011 mannequin 12 months, again when Barack Obama was in his first time period. Fifteen years later, Dodge remains to be promoting the identical fundamental concept, albeit with much more punch. The shock is that the worth may be certainly one of its finest arguments, offered you recognize when to cease checking containers.

Our 2026 Durango R/T 392 begins at $51,990 together with vacation spot. This specific instance prices $65,425. That distinction buys fairly just a few extras, however there’s no upcharge for the engine. The 392 is already there. We’ve been down this highway earlier than. The 2025 R/T we beforehand reviewed carried a $72,460 sticker regardless of having the smaller 5.7-liter Hemi. We favored its dealing with, consolation, and character, then recommended patrons skip the costly packages. 

Apparently, some issues actually don’t change. Others do. This time, there’s considerably extra energy, a well-known cabin, and an excellent higher cause to look previous the totally dressed press automobile. What improved in 15 years? What nonetheless feels 15 years outdated? And which model truly deserves your cash?

Quick Facts

Styling: Old Enough To Know What Works

Credit: Stephen Rivers

I nonetheless love the best way the Durango seems to be. It’s upright, broad, and appropriately muscular with out trying like somebody glued a sports activities automobile’s face onto a fridge. The form fits what it does. It seems to be like it could possibly carry individuals, haul gear, and make slightly noise alongside the best way. There have been design modifications since 2011, in fact. Calling this an untouched authentic could be unfair. Even so, its proportions stay acquainted sufficient that no person goes to mistake it for a clean-sheet alternative.

Our Red Oxide tester provides black trim, optionally available wheels, and stripes. It seems to be nice. That stated, whether or not it seems to be practically $6,000 higher is one other query. The paint, Blacktop package deal, optionally available Lights Out wheels, and stripes complete $5,835. That’s actual cash for dressing up one thing I already favored .

Cabin: The Past Is Still Present

Open the door, and the age turns into a lot more durable to miss. The dashboard and door playing cards have a chunky, acquainted design, and the darkish supplies give the inside a really one-color look. The textures and shapes appear to be they’ve been hanging round for a decade as a result of, in spirit at the least, they’ve. That doesn’t make the entire expertise disagreeable. The seats are huge, large, and cozy. I’d respect extra lateral help when driving enthusiastically, however they’re simple to settle into. There’s a straightforwardness right here that individuals who dislike at this time’s inside design tendencies may truly choose.

Dodge has up to date the cabin, and the ten.1-inch infotainment display screen helps significantly. The system works nicely, and I notably just like the efficiency pages. Acceleration timers and G-force shows give house owners one thing fascinating to discover past one other menu of ambient-lighting colours. More automobiles ought to assist individuals perceive what they’re doing behind the wheel.

Credit: Stephen Rivers

The bodily controls beneath the display screen deserve reward, too. They’re simple to succeed in and make on a regular basis changes easy. An older method right here remains to be the higher method. Plenty of automakers are realizing that now. The second and third rows observe a lot the identical formulation. They’re easy, moderately spacious, and cozy inside lifelike expectations. Access to the again is simple. I might get out and in with out an elaborate sequence of seat actions and private contortions.

Credit: Stephen Rivers

Could I comfortably spend hours again there? No. I’m six-foot-six, and becoming inside a seat isn’t the identical factor as eager to take a highway journey in it. Six adults would wish to barter expectations. For common six-adult journey, I’d be looking for a minivan with out disgrace. With 4 aboard, or 4 plus two or three youngsters, the cargo scenario is way more convincing. My sports activities gear and goalie stick match with out drama, with room for added cargo. This stays a helpful household car, even when its inside doesn’t make you are feeling such as you’ve bought the newest factor.

Driving: The Good Part Never Gets Old

Start the Durango and the enchantment turns into apparent. The rumble is actual, bodily, and entertaining. This factor makes an atypical departure really feel like an occasion, and it manages that while not having an outrageous quantity of velocity. The 6.4-liter V8 produces 475 hp (354 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm). That’s a considerable enchancment over the 360 hp (268 kW) and 390 lb-ft (529 Nm) delivered by the unique R/T’s 5.7-liter engine. The present eight-speed automated additionally provides it three extra ratios than the 2011 mannequin.

The transmission on this check car was responsive, easygoing, and predictable. Unlike the occasional gear looking I famous in my earlier 5.7-liter check, this one gave me little cause to complain. Ask for acceleration, and the powertrain will get on with it. Dodge quotes 4.4 seconds to 60 mph (97 km/h). We couldn’t reproduce that on an unprepared highway. After a number of makes an attempt, our greatest was 4.8 seconds with rollout subtracted and 5.06 seconds from a standstill. Those are our outcomes below our check situations, moderately than a managed replication of Dodge’s run.

Regardless, it feels fast sufficient to be entertaining, and the stopwatch doesn’t clarify the entire expertise. Steering response could be very predictable. So is the physique’s motion by means of a nook. The brakes really feel glorious, with progressive response and not one of the grabby conduct that may make highly effective brakes annoying round city.

Read: 2027 Durango Dodges Change, But Embraces Personalization

Everything feels simple. That’s certainly one of my favourite issues about this platform. It nearly encourages you to hustle it alongside, providing you with confidence by means of constant responses moderately than demanding that you simply handle its bulk at each flip. Let’s hold expectations cheap, although. This isn’t a canyon-carving Porsche Cayenne rival. It’s a big, heavy SUV with three rows that seems like a muscle automobile and handles higher than its age may lead you to count on. There are limits, and pretending in any other case would miss what makes it gratifying.

The trip is comparatively snug, too. Nothing about it stood out as a punishment, regardless of the efficiency intentions. On the freeway, in its regular driving setting, the Durango settles into a simple cruise. The exhaust doesn’t make life more durable with fixed drone. You can benefit from the noise when accelerating and nonetheless calm down when you’re in control. My essential want is a selectable rear-wheel-drive-only mode. I’d love the choice of sending the whole lot rearward, as the brand new gasoline Charger permits. The Durango’s AWD works nicely, however that additional selection would add one other dimension to an already entertaining SUV.

Fuel financial system is much less entertaining. The sticker reads 13 mpg metropolis, 19 freeway, and 15 mixed. I didn’t file an noticed common throughout this check, so there’s no private quantity to substitute. If you’re shopping for one, you’d higher be snug feeding it. Loving the sound doesn’t make the gasoline invoice disappear.

Fifteen Years Of Progress, With Receipts

The historic comparability is extra flattering than the acquainted dashboard suggests. Using the printed 2011 R/T AWD base MSRP of $38,090, in opposition to this mannequin’s $49,995 earlier than vacation spot, the sticker has risen about 31 p.c. Inflation over the identical broad interval has risen significantly extra. The inflation determine makes use of the 2011 annual-average CPI-U and August 2026 CPI-U. On that foundation, the present base R/T is roughly 12 p.c cheaper in actual phrases. This compares beginning costs, with vacation spot excluded on each side; it isn’t a declare that the 2 automobiles have equivalent gear.

You’re additionally getting {hardware} past an even bigger engine. Our sticker lists adaptive damping, Brembo brakes, an digital limited-slip differential, heated and ventilated entrance seats, heated second-row seats, and smartphone integration as normal gear. These aren’t all depending on ordering the $7,600 Premium package deal.

The fuel-economy comparability is revealing. Combined mileage hasn’t improved, however at this time’s R/T makes considerably extra energy. That’s a significant efficiency acquire. It nonetheless doesn’t make 15 mpg economical. Even my earlier tester presents helpful perspective. This 392 prices $7,035 much less as examined than the 2025 5.7-liter I reviewed. Importantly, they’re in another way outfitted automobiles, so this isn’t a direct measure of a model-year worth reduce. That stated, it does present how a lot the choices sheet can distort the worth dialog.

Competition: The Ford Complication

At $65,425, this wouldn’t be the SUV I’d purchase. My different could be a rear-wheel-drive Explorer ST. Ford confirms that configuration is obtainable with six seats, and its newer cabin and rear-drive format match what I’d need from my very own efficiency household hauler. I’d even be eager about modifying it, beginning with investigating a limited-slip differential. Ford lists a non-limited-slip rear axle as normal. That’s an possession challenge I’d discover, although, moderately than a cause to fake an unspecified modified Explorer is what rolls out of the showroom.

The Dodge has its personal sensible benefit. Properly outfitted, the R/T 392 is rated to tow 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg), in contrast with the Explorer ST’s 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg). We didn’t tow throughout this check, however patrons who want that capability have a cause to favor the Durango past its exhaust notice. Price modifications my reply, too. The Explorer ST’s $54,905 base MSRP places it in roughly the $57,000 neighborhood as soon as supply is included. Against a $51,990 Durango, I’d battle to justify the additional money. Unwanted seller equipment would make that argument even weaker.

More: Ford’s New Explorer ST Sinister Package Is Like A Vampire With Rubber Fangs

If a seller discounted the Ford sufficient to slender the hole to a few thousand {dollars}, I’d take the Explorer. That’s a hypothetical deal, not an marketed provide, and any Dodge low cost belongs in the identical calculation. The precise distinction between the 2 quotes issues greater than the badge on both hood.

Notably, this section consists of loads of SUVs which might be an objectively higher worth. Things just like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Grand Highlander, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and extra. The cause we’re not diving into them is as a result of the Durango R/T isn’t a real competitor. It’s not as up-to-date. And none of these different choices are as playful, rowdy, and enjoyable. 

Verdict: Buy The Engine, Watch The Extras

Fifteen years haven’t robbed the Durango of its finest qualities. It’s snug, helpful, and persistently enjoyable to drive. The greater engine and efficient transmission give it efficiency to go along with the character, whereas the bodily controls and easy format retain their enchantment. The cabin remains to be dated. More leather-based and costly trim don’t solely repair that, and the gasoline consumption stays a considerable possession expense. Those weaknesses change into more durable to miss as the worth climbs.

At $51,990, although, the R/T 392 makes a convincing argument. I wouldn’t casually spend hundreds extra to exchange it with one thing newer. At our tester’s $65,425, I’d be visiting Ford. The Durango has earned the precise to stay round. That doesn’t imply each possibility on this one has earned a spot on the invoice.

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