Is the 2026 Dodge Durango a good car?

The 2026 Dodge Durango earns a 6.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Performance at 9/10.

It fits you best if you want a three-row SUV with V8 power and sound, great exterior looks, and great prices. The overview also makes clear that it still delivers the power, technology, and practicality many midsize SUV shoppers expect, even though it has been sold essentially unchanged since 2010.

The trade-offs are just as clear: dated interior materials and a lack of modern safety features are the biggest knocks, and poor fuel economy is part of the package. If you value character, analog controls, and strong value more than freshness, the Durango still has a real case.

35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Dodge Durango reliable?

The overview and expert test-drive data both point to a vehicle that has aged into a familiar, proven formula rather than a cutting-edge one. You get a long-running platform, straightforward controls, and a powertrain lineup that prioritizes strength and character over novelty.

The performance notes also suggest the Durango’s mechanical setup is robust in the ways that matter to you as a shopper: the eight-speed automatic is described as smooth and unobtrusive, and the available AWD system is tuned for real-world use. On the cost side, the Durango’s value positioning helps offset some of the age-related concerns.

If you buy used, the main long-term ownership risk is that the vehicle’s age shows in the areas that tend to matter most over time: efficiency, cabin freshness, and safety technology.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Dodge Durango?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with performance upgrades. Focus on overall condition, because the Durango’s age means wear in the cabin, controls, and suspension can matter as much as mileage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base GT is the most stripped-down version, with a no-name six-speaker stereo and fewer comfort and driver-assist features than higher trims. Upper trims add leather, carbon fiber, microsuede, and more equipment, but the cabin materials still show the model’s age.
• Powertrain: The standard 3.6-liter V6 makes 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the available 5.7-liter Hemi V8 makes 360 hp and 390 lb-ft. The V6 is the efficiency play, but the V8 is the stronger choice if you care about towing and acceleration.
• Safety package: Blind-spot monitors and front/rear parking sensors are standard. Forward automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning are standard only on the GT Premium and optional on the Hellcat Jailbreak, while automatic emergency braking is unavailable on the regular Hellcat.
• Infotainment: Every Durango gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM 360L, OTA updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Android Auto is wired.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD V6 is rated at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 returns 14 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, and the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 drops to 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway.

Which 2026 Dodge Durango trim should I buy?

The 2026 Dodge Durango is offered in 5 trim levels: GT, GT Plus, GT Premium, Hellcat, and Hellcat Jailbreak.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The GT is the value entry point, but it lacks the richer audio setup and the broader safety equipment found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The GT Plus is the best balance if you want more comfort, with leather, heated first- and second-row seats, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a wireless charging pad.
• Premium/top trim: The GT Premium is the most appealing all-around upgrade, adding a leather-wrapped instrument panel, a suede headliner, more driver-assistance features, and a 19-speaker stereo.
• Off-road trim: None is described.

The GT Premium is also the trim where forward automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning become standard, which makes it the safest mainstream pick in the lineup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Dodge Durango?

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,441 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $37,725.75, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2026 Dodge Durango safe?

The 2026 Durango earns a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.

It earns a 3/10 safety score from our experts.

Blind-spot monitors and front/rear parking sensors are standard, but the Durango’s safety story is held back by its dated structure and limited modern driver-assistance coverage. Forward automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning are standard only on the GT Premium and optional on the Hellcat Jailbreak, while many newer features you might expect in this class are unavailable.

The expert safety notes also call out that the Durango’s older body structure means it will not perform as well in a crash as newer rivals designed around the latest IIHS tests.

Should I buy a 2026 Dodge Durango or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It still delivers V8 power, strong value, and a distinctive analog feel in a three-row SUV.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It was the final year of production and still offered a likable, practical three-row layout.

The bottom line: If you want the Durango’s unique mix of power, space, and value, the 2026 model keeps that formula intact. If you’re shopping mainly on price and can live with an older design, the prior year is worth a look too, especially if you find a cleaner or cheaper example.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.