The Dodge Durango returns for 2026 as an exclusively V8-powered SUV, but that shift has put it at odds with one of the country’s most powerful emissions regulations bodies: The California Air Resources Board (CARB). While the new Durango will be available with three V8 engine options in most states, the 17 states that honor CARB rules will miss out on the two most powerful variants, signaling what could be a disjointed future for performance cars in the United States.
Buyers in CARB states will be able to buy a Durango with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, but the 392 and Hellcat engines won’t be available. A spokesperson told The Drive, “The Dodge Durango GT with the 5.7-liter Hemi will be available in all states. The Dodge Durango R/T 392 and Durango SRT Hellcat are available in non-CARB states.” The automaker said it would continue to work with CARB to find a way to sell the beefier V8s, but there’s no telling how long that’ll take or if it will be successful.
Stellantis pushed back on CARB rules, saying that they unfairly targeted its operations. While it ultimately relented, Stellantis’ agreement with CARB included a rule that it would follow CARB guidelines over federal guidance, making it less certain that the automaker would be able to negotiate an allowance for the V8 engines.
This is a bummer for Durango fans, but it may also signal a larger shift in how performance vehicles are sold in the United States. Even with federal restrictions loosening under the Trump Administration, automakers sticking with CARB regulations follow much tighter rules, meaning we could end up with a two-tiered market, where higher-performance cars are only sold in non-CARB states. That said, if you live in a CARB state and want a V8-powered Durango, you can order one with a 5.7-liter V8, which is still plenty powerful for most people.
