The Dodge Durango will Soon Experience a Facelift
Photo Source: Dodge
After being relatively the same SUV since 2011, the Dodge Durango is set for a shakeup. With Stellantis answering to regulatory demands, the three-row muscle car that America has come to know, especially with the world’s most powerful SUV in the Durango SRT Hellcat, we are likely to encounter something with an electrified twist.
The United Auto Workers’ (UAW) tentative deal with Stellantis sheds light on potential updates and new models in the coming years. On November 3, 2023, the United Auto Workers laid out far more detailed highlights for its hourly and salaried members – exhibiting the fruits of six weeks of strike actions and negotiations with the world’s third-largest automaker. The United Auto Workers go one further, though, specifying exactly what new vehicles are coming down the pipeline and when they will arrive.
The Future of Manufacturing Plants
The Detroit Assembly Complex will see a $1.5 billion investment to support the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L, as well as the Dodge Durango. On the Durango front, the current model will continue through 2025, so the brand will keep its SUVs going while it rolls out the new Charger, with the latter seeing electric and gas-powered variants. A new Dodge Durango, codenamed D6U, should emerge in the 2026 model year. That generation will continue to include internal combustion engine models and a fully-electric iteration.
The all-new Durango will likely utilize the STLA Large architecture platform, which is the same architecture that underpins vehicles like the Jeep Wagoneer S, the Dodge Charger Daytona Banshee electric vehicle, the off-road-focused Jeep Recon, and the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee. As mentioned, this information comes from documents released during the recent United Auto Workers contract negotiations, which have been revealing tantalizing information of late.
Specifics About the Next-Generation Dodge Durango
The documents also indicate that the next-generation Durango will feature two powertrain options: an internal combustion engine or a battery-electric (BEV). According to sources, “The STLA Large architecture will now be the base for most D-segment and all E and F-segment unibody vehicles going forward. The architecture is designed to deliver up to 500 miles (800 km) of electric range with Stellantis-designed electric drive modules (EDMs) and modular battery packs.” Dealers were granted a sneak peek of a new Dodge E-segment SUV design concept at the March (2023) annual dealer meeting in Las Vegas. This vehicle was dubbed the Dodge Stealth.
Those enthusiasts in attendance were beholden to a new three-row SUV with a sportier, more streamlined appearance and a more contemporary design language. That said, it was a concept, so what dealers saw is subject to change. Being a future STLA Large SUV, we are likely to see powertrains ranging from a 2.0-liter Hurricane turbo four with a hybrid electric system to the high-output Hurricane turbo inline-six.
Even though this is thrilling, we will not see the new Dodge Durango concept until late 2024 or early 2025, with the current Dodge Durango ending production in 2025. Until then, Dodge is expected to debut more products this year (2023) and next (2024). If you are curious about the upcoming Dodge Durango, please come visit Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Are you excited about getting a new car? So are we. Are you looking for a new option to buy or lease? Take a look at our new vehicle inventory or our quality pre-owned vehicles.