The SUV for enthusiasts shows no signs of slowing down
It’s been almost exactly 14 years since the third-generation Dodge Durango went into production. Although it has been updated multiple times over that period, it’s still a pretty old platform under the skin. Despite this, the Durango just achieved its best Q3 sales in 20 years, which means it’s the best third quarter achieved by the third-gen Durango.
Not many older models achieve such strong sales—the current Toyota RAV4 is one exception, though. Here’s a closer look at the Durango’s sales figures, and why the 2026 model’s engine upgrade may be key to its ongoing success.
Related: 2026 Dodge Durango Goes All-V8 — Even the Base Model Gets a Hemi
44% Increase In Q3 Sales
2026 Dodge Durango Dodge
Year-on-year, the Dodge Durango’s Q3 sales jumped by 44%. 13,949 units of the SUV were sold in Q3 2024, as opposed to 20,018 units in Q3 2025. So far in 2025, the Durango has notched up sales of 54,417 units, 16% more than in 2024.
Midway through Q3, Dodge made the bold decision to make the Hemi V8 engine standard across the 2026 Durango lineup. This 5.7-liter V8 not only makes 65 horsepower more than the previous V6, but it takes the towing capacity of all Durangos up to a generous 8,700 pounds. At the top of the range, the Durango is available in supercharged V8 guise, boasting 710 hp.
At $42,495, the base Dodge Durango GT is officially the most affordable V8-powered SUV you can buy in the country. It’s likely that the standard V8 propelled the Durango to its best Q3 sales in two decades.
Also boosting the Durango’s fortunes was a category win in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study in July, which is a look at how highly owners rank their cars in terms of excitement and overall satisfaction.
V8 Focus Helping Other Stellantis Models, Too
Stellantis
Besides the Durango’s strong performance, it seems that Stellantis’ wider availability of V8 power is having a positive impact on at least one other model, too. Earlier this year, Ram reintroduced the Hemi V8 as an engine option for the 1500 pickup truck.
In the third quarter, Ram’s light-duty pickup hit 44,349 sales, a year-on-year jump of 10%. Overall light-duty pickup sales are up 4% for 2025 so far, too.
Stellantis says that initial Hemi-powered 1500 trucks sold in just five days on average, as fans reacted enthusiastically to the V8’s return.
“Fueled by sales growth across the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and FIAT brands, our U.S. sales saw strong results in the third quarter, including the month of September, which was our highest monthly market share in the U.S. in 15 months,” said Jeff Kommor, head of U.S. sales. “We are taking deliberate actions, including the highly anticipated return of HEMI V-8 to Ram.”
V8s Regaining Relevancy As Electrification Slows
Across the industry, we’re seeing manufacturers double down on larger-capacity engines and rethinking their plans to introduce EV-heavy lineups. The demand for V8s are still there in larger and/or performance models, and it’s in the best interests of most automakers to respond accordingly.
Besides Stellantis, Mercedes is planning a V8 for the upcoming CLE 63. At some stage, it was feared that this model would adopt the controversial plug-in hybrid four-cylinder from the C63.
Other V8-powered models without crazy price tags include the Ford F-150, Ford Mustang GT, and Chevrolet Tahoe.
