Dodge Durango Lives On Through 2028, And That’s A Good Thing

Dodge has reportedly changed its mind about ending production of the Durango SUV next year in 2026 and will instead continue production of the model until sometime in 2028. Mopar Insiders says the news was delivered to suppliers during a conference call in which Dodge gave a briefing about product timeline changes.

Not only will the current Durango continue, but attendees also confirmed that it will continue to be offered with the automaker’s popular HEMI V8 engine. Dodge had previously planned to phase out the V8 engine this year and offer only a V6 in the Durango’s last year of production. The change of heart means buyers won’t be losing one of the most affordable towing options for people who need a 3-row SUV.

Why Dodge Changed Its Mind

Mopar Insiders speculates that a “shifting political landscape” is behind Dodge’s decision to continue production of the current-generation Durango, stating the pressure to go all-electric is “easing up” thanks to the Trump administration’s attempt to roll back emissions targets and its disdain for EV mandates and incentives.

Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge, had already begun to lean into an all-electric future under the direction of then-CEO Carlos Tavares. This is evident in new EVs such as the Jeep Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger Daytona. Their reception, however, has been lukewarm.

Meanwhile, Tavares has since resigned as the CEO of Stellantis and the company has brought back Tim Kuniskis (above) as the CEO of its RAM brand. Kuniskis had previously been the CEO of Dodge during its modern renaissance, in which the brand proudly cultivated an identity based on big engines and big personalities.

Whether or not Kuniskis had anything to do with the decision to keep the Durango going is unknown, but it’s the last Dodge product available with a HEMI V8, meaning its demise would have left the brand with no 8-cylinder offering. That seems like something Kuniskis would work hard to prevent. Word has it, Dodge is also working on shoe-horning its HEMI V8 into the Charger Daytona even though it was never designed to fit. This also has the fingerprints of Kuniskis all over it.

TopSpeed’s Take

Keeping the current-generation Durango going is the right move. For one, after 15 years in production, it still looks great thanks to an original exterior design that’s been largely timeless and a couple of mild refreshes over the years that have kept up its mechanicals and electronics. Secondly, its production costs should be the lowest they’ve ever been after that many years of manufacturing. And thirdly, it serves a niche.

SUVs with three rows of seating are a dime a dozen, but most have V6 engines that top out with a maximum towing capacity of around 5,000 pounds. The current Durango can tow up to 8,700 pounds if you order the SRT 392 or SRT Hellcat models, the former of which has a 6.4-liter V8 and the latter a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Even the R/T trim, however, can still tow 7,200 pounds with its less powerful 5.7-liter V8. Other options such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Infiniti QX80 are much pricier.

Dodge’s competitors abandoned these customers, and while electrification is surely the future, the brand can’t abandon the principles that define its identity, the main ones being power and performance. So, while it takes these two extra years to work on the Durango’s successor, it should consider raiding the RAM parts bin for the new Ramcharger’s plug-in hybrid powertrain that’s green without giving up one iota of towing prowess.