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 stands out because it is old, yet it still delivers much of what today’s SUV buyers want. You get a three-row SUV with strong power, useful technology, and practical packaging, plus the kind of V8 character that is increasingly hard to find. That makes it appealing if you want a roomy SUV with personality and strong value.

The trade-offs are clear: dated interior materials and a lack of modern safety features are the biggest knocks, and poor fuel economy is part of the deal. For buyers who like V8s and analog controls, it remains a distinctive choice. The market still reflects that value, with 31.4% of listings priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2026 Dodge Durango reliable?

The 2026 Dodge Durango is presented as a long-running, familiar design that has been sold essentially unchanged since 2010, which can make it easier to understand as a used purchase. The expert data also emphasizes that it still delivers the power, technology, and practicality many midsize SUV shoppers expect, even though its age is obvious.

On the dependability side, the performance notes point to smooth, unobtrusive operation from the eight-speed automatic transmission and the available AWD system, which helps the Durango feel composed in daily use. The cost-effectiveness notes also frame it as a value play, especially for buyers who want strong performance and towing capability without moving into a luxury-brand price bracket.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that age-related wear and outdated hardware can matter more than mileage alone.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.7% — 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 the badge alone. Focus on how the interior, electronics, and safety equipment have held up, and pay close attention to maintenance records if you are considering a higher-output version.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin and equipment vary meaningfully by trim, with the base GT keeping things simpler and upper trims adding leather, heated and ventilated seats, Nappa leather, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, and a suede headliner. The base trim also misses some of the richer audio and driver-assistance content found higher up.
• 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 and raises towing capacity to 8,700 pounds. The 6.4-liter V8 and supercharged 6.2-liter V8 push performance even further, but fuel economy drops sharply.
• 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. Many newer driver-assistance features are not offered.
• 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. The base GT uses a no-name six-speaker stereo, while the GT Premium gets a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD V6 returns 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, while the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 returns 14 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The 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 Plus AWD Hemi V8, GT Premium AWD Hemi V8, SRT Hellcat.

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 the standard V6, rear-wheel drive, the 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the basic six-speaker stereo, so it makes sense if you want the least expensive way into the lineup.
• GT Plus: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds leather, heated first- and second-row seats, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a wireless charging pad. If you want a more comfortable family SUV without jumping to the pricier V8-focused trims, this is the one to look at first.
• GT Plus AWD Hemi V8: This trim is the move if you want the V8 experience with more everyday comfort and traction. It adds the Hemi upgrade plus high-beam assist, a sunroof, and Nappa leather, making it a strong choice if you care about power and a richer cabin.
• GT Premium AWD Hemi V8: This is the most complete mainstream Durango. It adds a leather-wrapped instrument panel, a suede headliner, more driver-assistance features, and the 19-speaker stereo, so it suits you if you want the most polished version short of the Hellcat.
• SRT Hellcat: This is the extreme performance choice, with the supercharged V8 and the most aggressive hardware and tuning in the lineup. It makes sense only if you want maximum speed and are willing to accept the steep price and harsh fuel economy.

Blind-spot monitors and front/rear parking sensors are standard, while forward automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning are limited to higher trims.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you have room to shop carefully without assuming every listing is a bargain.

• Deal availability: 31.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,554 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $37,656.66, 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. 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. The expert safety notes also call out that the Durango’s dated 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:

• 31.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It remains a three-row SUV with strong power, useful technology, and standout V8 appeal.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It was the final year of production and still offered a likable, roomy, practical interior.

The bottom line: If you want the newest version of this old-school formula and you value power, character, and strong pricing, the 2026 is the better target. If you are shopping strictly for value and can live with the prior model year, the 2025 can still make sense as a price-sensitive alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.