New & Used 2026 Dodge Durango for Sale nearPalm Desert, CA

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 is still a three-row SUV that gives you a lot of the power, technology, and practicality you expect in a modern midsize SUV, and it is positioned as a good value for the money. That said, you are buying into a vehicle that has been sold essentially unchanged since 2010, so the age shows in the interior and in its overall design.

The main trade-offs are dated interior materials and a lack of modern safety features. You also give up fuel economy, which is part of the Durango’s old-school personality.

For shoppers who want V8 power, analog controls, and strong value, the Durango still makes a clear case for itself, and 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2026 Dodge Durango reliable?

The 2026 Dodge Durango’s appeal is tied more to its straightforward, old-school character than to cutting-edge complexity. Its performance hardware is described as smooth and unobtrusive, and the eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD system are presented as well-behaved in daily driving.

The Durango’s analog layout also works in its favor: the controls are logical, and the cabin is built around familiar physical switches and knobs rather than a heavily layered interface. On the cost side, Dodge’s pricing strategy helps support the ownership equation, especially if you are comparing it with pricier performance SUVs.

If you plan to keep one long term, the bigger risk is that age-related wear and dated hardware may matter more than the Durango’s basic mechanical appeal.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially because the Durango’s age and dated structure make condition more important than mileage alone. Focus on how the cabin, electronics, and drivetrain have held up, and pay close attention to signs of hard use if you are considering a higher-performance version.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin and feature set vary meaningfully by trim, with the base model showing the most obvious gaps in comfort and equipment. Higher trims add more upscale materials and convenience features, but the Durango still leans old-school even when it is well equipped.
• 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 V8 is the better fit if you want stronger acceleration and towing.
• 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, while the supercharged 6.2-liter 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 6 trim levels: GT, GT Plus, GT Plus AWD Hemi V8, GT Premium AWD Hemi V8, GT Plus AWD, and GT Premium AWD Hemi V8.

Here's the short version:

• GT: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Durango’s core personality at the lowest price. It comes with rear-wheel drive, the standard V6, and the basic infotainment setup, so it makes sense if you want the cheapest way into the lineup.
• GT Plus: This is the best-value trim if you want the Durango to feel more complete. It adds leather, heated first- and second-row seats, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a wireless charging pad.
• GT Plus AWD Hemi V8: This is the smart pick if you want the V8 experience without jumping too far upmarket. It adds the Hemi’s stronger performance and AWD, plus high-beam assist, a sunroof, and Nappa leather.
• GT Premium AWD Hemi V8: This is the most well-rounded choice if you want the most comfort and driver-assistance content short of the Hellcat. It adds a leather-wrapped instrument panel, a suede headliner, more driver-assistance features, and a 19-speaker stereo.

Forward automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning are standard only on the GT Premium and optional on the Hellcat Jailbreak.

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

The market looks selective rather than overheated, so you have room to shop carefully and compare condition, equipment, and price.

• Deal availability: 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,679 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.8% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Dodge Durango safe?

The 2026 Durango received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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

Blind-spot monitors and front/rear parking sensors are standard, and a driver’s knee airbag plus a central side airbag between the front seats are also included. Forward automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning are standard only on the GT Premium and optional on the Hellcat Jailbreak, while many newer driver-assistance features are unavailable.

The main caveat is that the Durango’s dated body structure means it is not expected to perform as well in a crash as newer rivals designed around more recent IIHS testing.

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:

• 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It delivers old-school V8 power, strong value, and a three-row layout with plenty of practicality.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It was the final year of production and still offered a likable, practical three-row SUV with strong performance.

The bottom line: If you want the newest version of the Durango’s formula and are comfortable with its age, the 2026 is the straightforward choice. If you are mainly shopping on price and want a similar driving character, the 2025 is worth a look as a value-focused alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.