Dodge created quite a buzz among performance-minded drivers back in August when it revealed that every version of the 2026 Durango would be offered exclusively with V8 power. The lineup includes three well-known engines from the brand: the 5.7-liter V8, the more potent 6.4-liter HEMI, and the wild 6.2-liter supercharged unit found in Hellcat models. For many enthusiasts, this move signaled Dodge’s continued commitment to large-displacement, high-output engines at a time when many other automakers are shifting toward downsizing and electrification.
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However, the initial excitement came with a significant limitation. Dodge clarified that the higher-performance variants—the 6.4-liter R/T 392 and the supercharged Hellcat—had been cleared for sale only in non-CARB states. CARB, short for the California Air Resources Board, enforces stricter emissions regulations, and 17 states across the U.S. follow its standards. As a result, customers living in those CARB-regulated regions were unable to order the more powerful Durango trims. Their only option for the 2026 model year was the entry-level 5.7-liter V8 producing 360 horsepower, which, although capable, does not deliver the same level of performance as the larger and more aggressive V8 engines.
Fortunately for fans in these restricted states, Dodge moved swiftly to resolve the issue. Within a month, the company announced that it had secured approval to begin taking orders for the 6.4-liter and 6.2-liter-equipped Durangos in 10 CARB states. The states that gained access include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Dodge expects that the remaining seven CARB states will also receive approval before the end of the year. Once that happens, the powerful R/T 392 and Hellcat versions will finally become available to customers nationwide, eliminating one of the biggest concerns buyers had raised after the initial announcement.
This development was first reported by Mopar Insiders, which obtained information from a recently released dealer guide. Although the document confirmed that broader approval was on the way, it did not specify what modifications, if any, Dodge needed to implement to meet CARB’s stricter emissions guidelines. Whether the adjustments were mechanical, software-based, or related to certification procedures remains unknown.
Interestingly, while private buyers can only choose between the three V8 engines for the 2026 model year, Dodge is still producing the Durango with its long-running 3.6-liter naturally aspirated Pentastar V6. This engine, however, is no longer offered to the general public. Instead, it is reserved exclusively for government agencies and fleet customers, suggesting Dodge is prioritizing V8 performance for retail buyers while continuing to meet contractual and operational needs for institutional clients.