2027 Durango GT HEMI Delivers Powerful Performance and Capability

Three-row SUVs in British Columbia tend to compete on cargo space and fuel economy. The 2027 Dodge Durango GT HEMI takes a different approach: a 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 under the hood, standard all-wheel drive, and towing numbers that most three-row SUVs can’t touch.

If you’ve been weighing whether a V-8 is worth it for an SUV you plan to use every day, here is exactly what the GT HEMI’s engine delivers and what it means for real driving.

The 5.7L HEMI V-8: What It Is

The GT HEMI is powered by a 5.7-litre, eight-cylinder HEMI V-8 producing 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. That’s a 22% horsepower gain and 50% more torque than the standard GT’s 3.6-litre V-6, which makes 295 hp and 260 lb-ft. The 0-60 mph time drops from 7.4 seconds in the V-6 GT to 6.2 seconds here.

The engine pairs with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Standard towing capacity sits at 7,200 lbs (3,265 kg). For buyers who need more, the available Tow ’n Go package lifts that rating to 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg).

How the Engine Works

The HEMI V-8 uses variable-camshaft timing (VCT) and Fuel Saver Technology. In plain terms, Fuel Saver Technology deactivates four of the eight cylinders during light-load cruising, then brings all eight back online when you accelerate. The transition is managed automatically; you don’t feel it happen.

The eight-speed transmission works through a 3.09:1 axle ratio. Four selectable drive modes, Auto, Sport, Tow, and Snow, let you shape throttle response and AWD torque distribution to match the situation. Auto handles most everyday driving. Tow mode shifts more torque rearward and firms up shift points for trailer work.

With the Tow ’n Go package, the GT HEMI also gains the MP3025 two-speed transfer case, which adds an AWD Low setting with a 2.72:1 low-range ratio. Ground clearance rises from 199 mm to 204 mm with that package fitted.

Why It Matters on the Road

The one-second improvement in 0-60 mph over the V-6 GT is noticeable in real situations: highway merges, passing on two-lane roads, and pulling away from lights with a full load of passengers across all three rows.

The bigger story is towing. The GT HEMI’s standard 7,200 lbs (3,265 kg) rating handles a mid-size travel trailer or a loaded boat without needing any package. Add the Tow ’n Go and the number climbs to 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg), which matches the R/T 392 Plus’s ceiling. That package also adds 15-inch vented front rotors with six-piston Brembo calipers, 13.8-inch rear rotors with four-piston calipers, adaptive damping suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, and a high-performance exhaust. Top speed with the package rises to 233 km/h, compared to 189 km/h in the standard configuration.

On fuel, the 5.7L rates 14.3 L/100 km combined. That’s higher than the V-6’s 11.9 L/100 km combined, which is the honest trade-off for 65 more horsepower and 130 lb-ft of additional torque. Fuel Saver Technology narrows that gap during open-road driving by cutting the engine to four cylinders when full power isn’t needed.

The GT HEMI also comes standard with a performance-tuned suspension and steering, 20-by-8-inch Satin Carbon wheels, a performance hood with HEMI fender badging, an Alpine nine-speaker audio system, and seven-passenger seating across three rows.

Who Should Consider the GT HEMI

The GT HEMI suits three types of buyers well.

Towers: Anyone hauling a travel trailer, a boat, or two snowmobiles in British Columbia will find the standard 7,200 lbs (3,265 kg) capacity more useful than the 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) the V-6 trims offer. With the Tow ’n Go package, the GT HEMI reaches the same 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) ceiling as the R/T 392 Plus, at a lower entry point in the lineup.

Families who want V-8 character without full R/T pricing: The GT HEMI sits between the V-6 trims and the 475 hp R/T 392 Plus. For a buyer who wants a meaningful power upgrade and real towing muscle without moving into R/T territory, the GT HEMI is the logical stop.

Buyers who want customization room: The GT HEMI supports the GT HEMI Plus and Premium packages, which add Nappa leather, power seats, a power sunroof, and up to a Harman Kardon 19-speaker system with an 825-watt amp. The Blacktop, Blacktop Redline, and Brass Monkey packages offer exterior differentiation, including unique wheel finishes and badging.

The GT HEMI is a harder fit if city fuel efficiency is your top priority. At 17.0 L/100 km in city driving, the V-8’s fuel appetite is real. Buyers who rarely tow and want to keep fuel costs down are better served by the 3.6-litre V-6 GT.

The 2027 Durango GT HEMI Is Coming to British Columbia Dealerships

The 2027 Dodge Durango GT HEMI is coming to Canadian dealerships in the fall. The 5.7L HEMI V-8 gives this three-row SUV 360 hp, 390 lb-ft of torque, and a towing range that runs from 7,200 lbs (3,265 kg) standard up to 8,700 lbs (3,946 kg) with the Tow ’n Go package, all with seven-passenger seating.

Visit Ensign Pacific Chrysler in Vancouver to explore the 2027 Durango GT HEMI lineup, ask about available packages, and book your test drive when the vehicle arrives.