2026 Dodge Durango: Manahawkin Buyers Guide

Why so many Southern Ocean County families end up here

Ask around Stafford Township or Toms River about a three-row SUV that can also do a burnout in a parking lot, and the Durango's name comes up more than you'd expect. It is, by design, two different vehicles wearing one badge: a genuinely comfortable family hauler on the low end and one of the more absurd performance SUVs sold anywhere once you climb into R/T and SRT territory. Nobody at Manahawkin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is going to pretend the whole lineup is minivan-sensible, but the GT trim genuinely is, and that's usually where the shopping starts. The dealership sits at 188 Route 72, and the current new Durango inventory is searchable online before you make the drive down.

What actually changed for 2026

The headline change is under the GT's hood. Dodge had spent a couple of years selling the GT with V8 power only; for 2026 the 3.6L Pentastar V6 (295 hp, 260 lb-ft) is back as the standard engine, which pulls the entry price down and drops the fuel bill, while the 5.7L HEMI V8 (360 hp) stays available on GT for buyers who want more shove. The bigger story is R/T. The outgoing R/T ran a 5.7L-based setup; the 2026 R/T is a completely different animal, badged 392 for its 6.4L HEMI V8, making 475 hp and 470 lb-ft - a jump of more than 30% in horsepower over the old R/T - and cutting 0-60 mph from roughly 6.2 seconds down to 4.4. This is not a mid-cycle trim shuffle; it is a genuine step up in what R/T means. SRT Hellcat carries on with its 710-hp supercharged 6.2L V8, but pricing resets a bit lower this year because Dodge folded its old customization package into a low-cost $995 "Jailbreak" unlock rather than a bundled hardware option. Two new colors, B5 Blue and Green Machine, round out the changes.

Pick your 2026 Durango

Every trim pairs its engine with an 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic and can be configured for the seating your family actually needs: the standard 2/3/2 bench for seven, 2/2/2 captain's chairs for six with more elbow room, or a 2/3/0 two-row layout for five and extra cargo space instead of a third row.

What local buyers keep saying

The store carries a 4.7-star average across more than 2,000 Google reviews, and the Durango shows up in them again and again, often across more than one purchase from the same family. Ed W. put it simply after leasing a Durango and then coming back twice more: "Erik did an excellent job - very professional and efficient... Another seamless transition into a new vehicle. Great buying experience once again." Rob S. described a same-day buy: "From our salesman Nick to Chris and Woody they went above and beyond to make sure we got a great deal and we got the car we wanted. Best dealership experience we have ever had." And Nicole D. wrote that "Erik made leasing my first Dodge Durango an absolute pleasure." Erik, Nick, Chris and the rest of the crew mentioned in reviews are the same team working the floor at Manahawkin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today.

Living with a Durango at the Shore

A three-row SUV that also tows earns its keep around here - boat ramps, beach-house moves, and the twice-a-year furniture run all favor a Durango over a crossover. The Durango service & repair guide below covers the maintenance rhythm across four very different engines, and the pricing & leasing guide covers what a Durango actually costs to drive off the lot in New Jersey, tax included.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2026 Dodge Durango a good SUV?

For a shore family that wants three rows, real towing capacity, and the option to buy something genuinely fast without switching brands, yes - the GT covers the practical case well and the R/T and SRT Hellcat cover the case for buyers who want more. It comes down to which version of "good" you're shopping for, which is why this guide splits out by trim.

What changed on the 2026 Durango?

The V6 returned to GT alongside the existing V8 option, and R/T moved from its old 5.7L-based setup to a new 392-badged 6.4L HEMI making 475 hp, a substantial jump in power and a real drop in 0-60 time. SRT Hellcat carries over its 710-hp supercharged engine with a lower-cost Jailbreak customization unlock, and two new exterior colors were added.

How much does a 2026 Dodge Durango cost?

GT starts at $38,995 MSRP with the V6 (AWD adds $2,000), R/T 392 starts at $49,995, and SRT Hellcat starts at $79,995 - all before the $1,995 destination charge and before New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax. The pricing & leasing guide breaks down what that means at the register.

Does the Durango still seat seven?

Yes. The standard configuration is a 2/3/2 bench seating seven; buyers who want more shoulder room in row two can order 2/2/2 captain's chairs for six, and a 2/3/0 two-row layout is available for five passengers and more cargo space.

Where can I test drive a 2026 Durango near LBI?

At Manahawkin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 188 Route 72 in Manahawkin, minutes from the Long Beach Island causeway. Sales runs until 8 PM Monday through Thursday, and current specials are posted online.

Three trims, one very wide range

The trim guides that follow dig into each one, but the shortcut is this: GT is the honest family SUV, R/T 392 is this year's biggest news for anyone cross-shopping performance three-rows, and SRT Hellcat exists for buyers who have already decided a minivan will never be enough. All three sit on the same Route 72 lot alongside the store's used and certified pre-owned inventory.