2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Hammerhead

For a brand built on muscular V8 performance, Dodge is radically reinventing itself for a future of smaller engines, hybrid power and electric performance. The 2025 Dodge Durango will be the latest example, with a lineup that, for the first time, won't include a V8. The Durango's current trio of V8 Hemi engines will gradually phase out throughout 2024, making way for a new family of turbocharged six-cylinder engines, dubbed "Hurricane," that are not only generally more powerful but also lighter, more efficient, and capable of integrating electric power. A more comprehensive styling, interior and tech overhaul isn't expected for 2025. That's likely to come later as the Durango is expected to ascend the lineup, grow larger, and make way for a new midsize three-row SUV. 

Edmunds spotlight: But does it Hemi? 

The V8 Hemi — so nicknamed for its hemispherical combustion chamber design — debuted in 1951. Clever marketing during its seven-decade run helped it enter the cultural lexicon as a shorthand for peak V8 performance. The Durango delivered on that promise, most recently with the 710-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V8 stuffed into the Hellcat model. The new Hurricane engines may lack the Hemi's marketing zest, but they should prove just as capable. Under the hood of the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, the Durango's cross-brand counterparts, the turbo-six engines make between 420 and 510 horsepower. Losing two cylinders shouldn't affect the Durango's prodigious towing capacity either. The current model can tow up to 8,700 pounds and the Hurricane's ample torque output isn't likely to diminish that. As Dodge prepares for a more electric future, expect the Durango to also offer battery-assisted powertrain options for improved efficiency and performance. 

Competitors to consider

With plenty of competition among three-row midsize SUVs, the Durango has carved out its own niche with comical power and top towing capacity. The Jeep twins, the Toyota Sequoia and the Ford Expedition can pull a bit more, while the Nissan Armada and Chevrolet Suburban aren't far behind. If towing isn't a priority, other options include the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-90. All benefit from smoother ride quality and more advanced in-car tech than the aging Durango.

The Durango bids farewell to its V8 past with a promising six-cylinder future.