Dodge Durango V8 Gamble Pays Off: Best Q3 Sales in 20 Years for the Aging SUV

Dodge Durango V8 Gamble Pays Off With Best Q3 Sales In 20 Years

Dodge Durango V8 gamble has paid off, resulting in its best Q3 sales in 20 years. Despite the current third-generation Durango having been in production for almost 14 years on an older platform, demand for the SUV remains remarkably high. This robust performance, particularly in Q3 2025, underscores the enduring appeal of powerful, V8-equipped vehicles in a market increasingly focused on electrification.

The SUV for Enthusiasts Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

The Dodge Durango defied expectations by achieving its best third-quarter sales in two decades. This means that the third-generation Durango, which debuted 14 years ago, posted its strongest Q3 results to date. This is a rare feat for an aging model in the automotive industry, where new designs and technology typically drive sales.

Sales figures for the Durango highlight this impressive growth:

• Q3 Sales Increase: Year-on-year, the Dodge Durango’s Q3 sales jumped by 44%, from 13,949 units in Q3 2024 to an impressive 20,018 units in Q3 2025.
• Year-to-Date Growth: So far in 2025, the Durango has notched up sales of 54,417 units, 16% more than in 2024.

The V8 Gamble: Standard Hemi and Record Sales

Midway through Q3, Dodge made a bold and unconventional decision: to make the Hemi V8 engine standard across the entire 2026 Durango lineup. This 5.7-liter V8 engine not only delivers 65 horsepower more than the previous V6, but it also boosts the towing capacity of all Durangos to a generous 8,700 pounds. For performance enthusiasts, the top of the range still offers a supercharged V8 variant, boasting a staggering 710 hp.

Priced at $42,495, the base Dodge Durango GT is now officially the most affordable V8-powered SUV available in the country. It is highly likely that this strategic move—making the powerful and iconic V8 standard—significantly propelled the Durango to its best Q3 sales in two decades.

Further 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. This study measures owners’ excitement and overall satisfaction with their new vehicles, indicating that the Durango resonates strongly with its customer base.

Source: Stellantis

V8 Focus Helping Other Stellantis Models, Too

The success of the Durango’s V8-centric strategy appears to be benefiting other Stellantis models as well. Earlier this year, Ram reintroduced the Hemi V8 as an engine option for the 1500 pickup truck.

• Ram 1500 Performance: In the third quarter, Ram’s light-duty pickup recorded 44,349 sales, a year-on-year jump of 10%. Overall light-duty pickup sales are also up 4% for 2025 so far.
• Enthusiastic Reception: Stellantis reported that initial Hemi-powered Ram 1500 trucks sold in an average of just five days, demonstrating an enthusiastic market reaction to the V8’s return.

Jeff Kommor, head of U.S. sales for Stellantis, underscored the broad impact: “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. We are taking deliberate actions, including the highly anticipated return of HEMI V-8 to Ram.”

V8s Regaining Relevancy As Electrification Slows

The Durango’s success is part of a broader industry trend where manufacturers are re-evaluating their aggressive EV-heavy lineups and doubling down on larger-capacity engines. As the pace of electrification slows, the demand for powerful V8 engines in larger vehicles and performance models remains robust. Automakers are increasingly recognizing the importance of responding to this sustained consumer preference.

Besides Stellantis, other manufacturers are also pivoting. For instance, Mercedes is planning a V8 for the upcoming CLE 63, a model that was once rumored to adopt the controversial plug-in hybrid four-cylinder from the C63. Other popular V8-powered models available at accessible price points include the Ford F-150, Ford Mustang GT, and Chevrolet Tahoe, further illustrating the V8’s enduring relevancy in the current automotive landscape.

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