Dodge is preparing to make its most powerful SUV available nationwide, as new dealer documents indicate the 2026 Durango SRT Hellcat is on track to receive full 50-state certification by December 2025. The update means performance enthusiasts in California and other CARB-regulated states could soon have access to Dodge’s 710-horsepower, three-row muscle SUV.
The development follows Dodge’s announcement at the Roadkill Nights event in Michigan earlier this year, where the automaker confirmed a sweeping powertrain shift across the Durango lineup. Beginning with 2026 models, every retail Durango sold in the U.S. will feature a HEMI V8 engine. The familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will remain available only for government and fleet customers, signaling Dodge’s renewed commitment to big-displacement performance for everyday drivers.
At the entry level, the new GT HEMI AWD pairs a 5.7-liter V8 with all-wheel drive, making it the most affordable V8-equipped SUV in the U.S. at a starting price of $42,495. Moving up the range, the Durango R/T now adopts the 6.4-liter “Apache” V8 with 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, bundled with the Tow N’ Go package and priced under $50,000.
The top-tier SRT Hellcat model retains its 6.2-liter supercharged V8, delivering 710 horsepower and reclaiming its title as the world’s most powerful three-row SUV. Dodge will also offer the SRT Hellcat Jailbreak package for $995, giving buyers access to an extensive list of customization options—more than seven million possible combinations of colors, wheels, and trim details.
If certification clears before year’s end, the 2026 Durango SRT Hellcat will be available in all 50 states, including California, New York, and Oregon. The move underscores Dodge’s determination to preserve traditional V8 power even as emissions regulations grow tighter across the industry.
