The 2026 Dodge Durango stakes its claim as a V8 powerhouse in a market shifting toward smaller engines, while the fully reimagined 2027 Kia Telluride skips a year for a complete overhaul. Find out how they stack up so know which vehicle is your best bet. We've got you covered--it's the Alan Jay Way!
Key Takeaways
- The Durango makes its transition to an exclusively V8 roster.
- Kia skips 2026 for a fully redesigned 2027 Telluride.
- The Durango continues to deliver top numbers in towing.
What's New for the Latest Models?
Dodge drops the Durango's base V6, making the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 the baseline choice for GT trims. From the R/T trim up, you now get the 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8, which pairs with an R/T Blacktop Redline Package featuring 20-inch gloss-black wheels, darkened badges, and SRT-derived aerodynamics. Dodge also marks the nation's milestone birthday with the America250 Special Edition for GT Plus, HEMI Plus, and HEMI Premium trims, packing a full-length star-motif body stripe, 20-inch black rims, and a red, white, and blue cabin theme.
Kia goes in a different direction for '27. The brand halted production on the original Telluride after 2025, bypassing a 2026 run to roll out a ground-up, second-gen model with extensive revisions across the board. In short, it's a whole new Telluride.
Do You Prefer V8 Muscle vs. Turbocharged Efficiency?
Every 2026 Durango is all about the V8. The entry GT features a 360-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8, while R/T models jump to a 475-hp 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8. Both match with an eight-speed automatic and your choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.
The overhauled Telluride limits its lineup to a single choice: a 274-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This engine mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with buyers opting for either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
| 2026 Dodge Durango | 2027 Kia Telluride |
|---|---|
| 5.7L HEMI V8 6.4L 392 V8 | 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder |
| 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Standard RWD standard; available AWD | Standard FWD; available AWD |
Which Is the Best Three-Row SUV for Towing?
The Durango claims a clear victory here. Adding the Tow 'n Go Package pushes its trailering limits to a class-leading 8,700 pounds, ensuring it can easily handle all your summer toys, like campers, boats, and beyond. By comparison, the Telluride has a max towing capacity of 5,500 pounds.
Top Tech of the Durango and Telluride
The Durango's 10.1-inch infotainment system features Uconnect 5, which is highly user-friendly due to its snappy response time and physical dials for climate and audio settings. Standard features include Bluetooth, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Buyers can stick with a six-speaker stereo, move up to a 10-speaker Alpine system, or pick the top-tier 20-speaker Harman/Kardon layout.
The Telluride now comes standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and offers a matching 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Kia also debuts a generative AI voice assistant for '27. The standard audio configuration is a standard 12-speaker system, but you can upgrade to premium 14-speaker Meridian audio.
Which Three-Row SUV Is Right for You?
With pure V8 heavy lifting, top-tier trailering specs, and a platform that proudly ignores the industry trend toward downsizing, the Durango cements its status as a rare, truly muscle-bound SUV. As it continues to carve out a totally unique space on the market come by Alan Jay CDJR Wauchula, we'd love to get you in for a test drive!