2025 Dodge Durango
People today are motivated as much by a desire for familiarity or some semblance of normalcy as by the usual challenges of life. Call it the economy, call it generations clinging to childhood because the world feels overwhelmingly complex, but at least Dodge continues to build the same full-size SUV that dominated driveways back when the PS3 and Xbox 360 were daily staples.
Despite rumors that the third-generation Dodge Durango might fade away, Stellantis has gone firmly in the opposite direction. Not only are the HEMI V8 Durango GT and Hellcat versions continuing, but the Pentastar V6 is returning as well.
In an industry eager to leave the 2010s behind, Dodge is leaning into nostalgia, keeping the Durango alive for those drawn to its old-school sensibilities.
Customer demand clearly supports this strategy. American buyers remain enamored with the Durango’s familiar charms, and in a market increasingly pushing plug-ins and EVs, the Durango stands as a case study in free-market persistence. Initially, the Durango was never meant to be extraordinary.
Until the Hellcat arrived, it was a traditional American full-size SUV, lightly updated for the 2010s. Built on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, derived from a now-defunct Mercedes-Benz architecture, the Durango debuted in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
This launch coincided with a critical period for Chrysler, as the Daimler-Chrysler partnership had collapsed in 2007, leaving Fiat’s later efforts to stabilize the company an uphill struggle.
The timing, however, worked in Dodge’s favor. Alongside the LX-series Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, the Durango entered the market with a flexible menu of powertrains, trims, and infotainment options.
While competitors like the Chevy Traverse, Toyota Highlander, and Kia Telluride achieved mass sales, the Durango maintained a unique edge: the availability of large-displacement engines in a market not yet ready to abandon the internal combustion V8.
The 5.7-liter HEMI V8, first available in the 2011 Durango Crew Plus, delivered 360 horsepower, and later models, including the 6.4-liter 392-cubic-inch HEMI in 2018, standardized full-time AWD in most trims. The introduction of the Hellcat HEMI in 2021, a decade after the Pentastar V6 and 5.7 HEMI debuted, further signaled the Durango’s longevity relative to competitors.
Dodge followed a familiar strategy with the Charger and 300, maintaining production into the 2020s largely on the strength of reliable V8 engines, even as competitors pivoted to undersized turbo engines, hybrids, and PHEVs. The Durango’s old-school analog gauge clusters and a separate 10.1-inch infotainment screen reinforce its appeal to those who prefer simple, rugged vehicles without flashy digital interfaces.
While not a class leader in every aspect, the Durango’s familiarity, comfort, and raw V8 character outweigh logic for many buyers, especially when compared to fuel-efficient alternatives like the Mazda CX-90 PHEV or Volvo XC90 Hybrid. Up-front costs may be higher at the pump, but the Durango remains a durable and straightforward choice, with basic maintenance that avoids the complexities of high-voltage EV systems.
Stellantis clearly recognizes the Durango’s market potency. Even with rumors of a next-generation model aligning its design with the new Charger, demand for the current Durango remains strong. These moves demonstrate a commitment to meeting demand even while the HEMI engine supply ramps up.
The ongoing success of the Durango, including Hellcat sales in CARB-compliant states in 2025, underscores how unpredictable the automotive industry has become. By staying the course and catering to buyers seeking the classic American SUV experience, Dodge has positioned itself to satisfy nostalgia while preparing for future innovation.
Whether the next-generation Durango is imminent remains to be seen, but the brand’s ability to thrive in this space is undeniable, offering a compelling mix of tradition, performance, and familiarity that continues to resonate with American consumers.
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