For years, the only way to get Dodge’s 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in a Durango was to pay SRT money. The outgoing 2024 Durango SRT 392 started at $73,595 before destination. Now, with the 2026 Durango R/T 392 Launch Edition, Dodge is offering the same 475-horsepower engine in a three-row SUV that starts at $49,995 before destination, or $51,990 once the $1,995 shipping charge is factored in. That is roughly $22,000 less than the old SRT sticker for functionally identical V8 output. It is also the most powerful R/T badge Dodge has ever sold, and it arrives at a moment when large-displacement naturally aspirated V8s are disappearing from showrooms at an accelerating pace. What the 392 Hemi delivers The numbers have not changed from the SRT era. The 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) Hemi V8 produces 475 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm, paired with an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, according to Cars.com’s breakdown of the powertrain. Dodge has not published an official 0-60 mph time for the R/T 392, but the previous SRT 392 Durango hit 60 in about 4.4 seconds, and there is no mechanical reason to expect a meaningful difference here. The R/T 392 also retains the SRT’s performance-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes, which is why The Drive described it as “basically an SRT without the badge.” Towing capacity holds at 7,400 pounds when properly equipped, which keeps the Durango competitive with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition for buyers who need to pull a boat or a mid-size camper. What comes standard on the Launch Edition The Launch Edition is not a stripped-down loss leader. Standard equipment includes Nappa leather and suede sport seats, a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, adaptive cruise control, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, according to Dodge’s press release. Appearance packages and upgraded interior trims can push the out-the-door price into the low-to-mid $50,000 range, but the core value proposition is that most of the equipment buyers actually want is already included. Third-row seating remains standard, preserving the Durango’s core identity as a family hauler. Fold that third row flat and cargo space expands to 84.5 cubic feet, enough for a weekend’s worth of hockey gear or a Costco run that got out of hand. How the price compares to rivals No direct competitor matches the Durango R/T 392’s combination of V8 power, three-row seating, and a sub-$52,000 starting price. The closest analog is the Ford Explorer ST, which produces 400 horsepower from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 and starts around $48,000, but it gives up 75 horsepower and a full row of seats in some configurations. The Chevrolet Tahoe RST with the 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp) starts above $62,000. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge’s corporate sibling, tops out at 510 horsepower in the Hurricane-powered Trackhawk successor, but that model is a two-row vehicle in a different price bracket entirely. Dodge’s own positioning materials lean heavily on the claim that no three-row rival comes close under $50,000 in terms of raw horsepower, and the math supports that statement, at least for now. The elephant in the room: platform age The Durango rides on a version of Stellantis’s WD platform that traces its roots to 2011. It has been updated repeatedly, with significant interior and technology refreshes in 2021, but the bones are old by industry standards. Buyers should know that crash-test ratings, ride refinement, and fuel economy reflect that age. The EPA has not yet published 2026 figures for the R/T 392, but the previous SRT 392 returned a combined 15 mpg. Expect something in that neighborhood. That fuel economy figure is the price of admission for a naturally aspirated 6.4-liter V8 in a 5,500-pound SUV. For some buyers, the sound and throttle response of the Hemi will be worth every gallon. For others, the turbocharged V6 in the Explorer ST will make more sense on a monthly fuel budget. Ordering and availability Orders are open now at Dodge dealers nationwide. The Launch Edition is available in all 50 states, and Autoblog reports that deliveries are expected to begin in the second half of 2026. Dodge has not indicated whether the Launch Edition is a limited-run model or a permanent addition to the lineup, so buyers who want one at the introductory price should not assume it will be available indefinitely. At $51,990 to start, the 2026 Durango R/T 392 Launch Edition is Dodge’s clearest bet that there is still a large audience willing to pay for a big V8 in a family SUV, especially when the price is $22,000 less than it was two years ago. Whether that bet pays off will depend on how many buyers prioritize horsepower-per-dollar over fuel efficiency and platform freshness. Based on early enthusiast reaction, Dodge will not have trouble finding takers. More from Fast Lane Only Unboxing the WWII Jeep in a Crate 15 rare Chevys collectors are quietly buying 10 underrated V8s still worth hunting down Police notice this before you even roll window down *Research for this article included AI assistance, with all final content reviewed by human editors.