Short answer: Dodge is discontinuing the HEMI V8 in some major applications, not eliminating it everywhere. HEMI-powered Charger production ended on December 31, 2023, and the previous-generation Challenger program ended without a successor HEMI. The current gas-powered Charger uses Stellantis’ 3.0-liter twin-turbo SIXPACK inline-six, also known as the Hurricane. But as of August 12, 2026, the HEMI remains available in the Dodge Durango, and the 5.7-liter HEMI eTorque has returned to the Ram 1500.
The HEMI was narrowed, not killed
The most accurate answer to the question is that Dodge and parent company Stellantis moved the HEMI to fewer vehicles where its sound, V8 character, towing capability, and performance identity justify the cost and compliance burden. In applications where the company could deliver similar or greater output with a smaller, turbocharged engine, Stellantis chose the newer Hurricane family instead.
That distinction matters because headlines about the HEMI being discontinued often combine several separate events:
- Dodge Charger: HEMI-powered production ended on December 31, 2023. The redesigned gas Charger does not use a HEMI; it uses the 3.0-liter twin-turbo SIXPACK inline-six.
- Dodge Challenger: HEMI production ended with the previous-generation muscle-car program. The new Charger is not a HEMI-powered replacement for it.
- Ram 1500: the HEMI was initially removed from the 2025 light-duty lineup, but Ram brought the 5.7-liter HEMI eTorque back for 2026 after customer feedback.
- Dodge Durango: the 2026 model continues to offer multiple HEMI V8 choices.
Dodge’s own Charger legacy information confirms the end of HEMI Charger production, while the company’s current Charger FAQ identifies the gas model’s SIXPACK powertrain. So the claim that Dodge has abandoned the HEMI altogether is too broad.
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Why did Stellantis move away from the HEMI in the first place?
1. Fleet emissions and fuel-economy pressure made efficiency more valuable
The HEMI did not disappear because a single law specifically ordered Dodge to stop producing it. Automakers choose their powertrain mix, but they must make that mix work within emissions, fuel-economy, and fleet-compliance requirements. A large V8 can remain technically legal while becoming strategically difficult to justify when a newer engine can produce comparable performance with a better official efficiency and emissions profile.
The U.S. regulatory backdrop was tightening when Stellantis made its original transition plans. The EPA’s 2024 final multi-pollutant rule addressed model years 2027 through 2032 and phased in stricter greenhouse-gas and criteria-pollutant requirements for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles. The rule was performance-based: manufacturers could select their technology mix, including advanced internal-combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles. It did not prescribe that Dodge must use a particular engine or ban the HEMI.
That is why saying the EPA directly forced Dodge to discontinue the HEMI is inaccurate. A more defensible explanation is that emissions and fuel-economy planning made lower-emissions powertrains more attractive across Stellantis’ fleet, and the company chose the timing and applications.
The policy context changed again in 2026. An EPA February 2026 fact sheet describes a final action rescinding federal vehicle greenhouse-gas provisions tied to the endangerment finding, while stating that criteria-pollutant standards and NHTSA-administered CAFE standards are not affected. That later action does not automatically reverse product, engineering, certification, manufacturing, or platform decisions made years earlier. It also does not explain away the fact that the HEMI has returned to selected applications.
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2. The Hurricane can provide more output from a smaller engine
Stellantis developed the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six as a high-output alternative to several naturally aspirated V8 and six-cylinder applications. Its basic advantage is not that displacement alone determines efficiency; it is that turbocharging, modern combustion control, and a newer engine design can provide the required power and torque with a more favorable official fuel-consumption and emissions result in a given vehicle.
Stellantis’ published comparison for the 2026 Ram 1500 illustrates the business case. In the cited market and test context, the 5.7-liter HEMI eTorque is listed at 395 horsepower, 362 g/km of CO2, and 16 L/100 km. The standard-output Hurricane is listed at 420 horsepower, 311 g/km, and 13.1 L/100 km. The high-output Hurricane is listed at 540 horsepower, 338 g/km, and 14.2 L/100 km.
Those are manufacturer-published figures, not guarantees of real-world fuel economy. Different trims, tires, payloads, driving conditions, test procedures, and markets can change the result. The important point is the relative tradeoff Stellantis was pursuing: the Hurricane could offer more power than the HEMI in some configurations while improving the vehicle’s official efficiency and carbon-dioxide figures.
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For a company selling full-size pickups, large SUVs, performance cars, hybrids, and electric vehicles, that difference matters at fleet scale. A powertrain that is slightly better across a large number of vehicles can be more valuable than preserving the same engine in every application.
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3. The new Charger is part of a platform and product transition
The redesigned Charger was not simply an old Charger with a new engine. Dodge repositioned it as a multi-energy vehicle: buyers can choose a battery-electric Daytona version or a gasoline model powered by the SIXPACK Hurricane inline-six. That made the HEMI less central to the architecture and product strategy.
The 2026 Charger R/T’s 420-horsepower SIXPACK is marketed as the replacement for the former 5.7-liter HEMI-powered R/T, with more power and torque and improved acceleration. That does not mean the inline-six offers the same sound, feel, or emotional appeal as a V8. It means Dodge believes it can satisfy the performance brief while fitting the new Charger’s efficiency and multi-energy strategy.
The Charger’s redesign also explains why the HEMI did not simply carry over as another engine option. An engine option must fit the vehicle’s physical architecture, cooling system, exhaust, transmission calibration, emissions certification, software, crash requirements, and production plan. Once Dodge designed the new car around gas and electric powertrain families, adding the outgoing V8 would have required more than dropping an engine into an empty bay.
4. Fewer modern engine families can simplify the product plan
Stellantis has not published a detailed cost-accounting explanation saying that engine-family consolidation alone caused the HEMI’s removal. Still, it is reasonable to infer that using a smaller number of current engine families can simplify certification, calibration, manufacturing, parts planning, and future development.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThis is an inference from the product strategy, not a direct company quotation. Stellantis’ public explanations emphasize performance, efficiency, emissions, and customer choice. Those factors are sufficient to explain the visible lineup change without claiming an unsupported manufacturing-cost figure.
The Hurricane also gives Stellantis a common modern engine family that can be adapted to multiple products and output levels. That does not make the HEMI mechanically obsolete. It makes the newer engine more useful as a corporate planning tool in vehicles where buyers prioritize output and capability over traditional V8 character.
What actually ended—and what did not
| Application | Status as of August 12, 2026 | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger | HEMI production ended December 31, 2023 | The current gas Charger uses the 3.0-liter twin-turbo SIXPACK/Hurricane inline-six. The Daytona is electric. |
| Dodge Challenger | Previous-generation program ended | There is no new-generation HEMI Challenger continuing the old formula. |
| Dodge Durango | HEMI remains available | The 2026 Durango information lists the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, and available 6.4-liter HEMI V8. Dodge also announced a 2026 Durango R/T 392 Launch Edition with the 6.4-liter HEMI. |
| Ram 1500 | 5.7-liter HEMI eTorque returned for 2026 | Ram initially replaced the HEMI in the 2025 light-duty lineup, then reopened the V8 option after customer input. Hurricane engines remain available. |
| Mopar performance market | HEMI-related products remain listed | Mopar continues to list Direct Connection performance parts and HEMI crate-engine products, subject to product-specific restrictions. |
The 2026 Dodge Durango FAQ is the clearest evidence that HEMI production continues in the Dodge brand. The 2026 Ram 1500 announcement likewise describes the 5.7-liter HEMI eTorque’s return as a response to customer input, not as a rejection of the Hurricane. The result is coexistence: Hurricane for efficiency and modern output, HEMI for applications where the V8 still has strong customer and product value.
Why did customer demand bring the HEMI back to Ram?
Pickup buyers do not evaluate engines only by horsepower-per-liter or laboratory fuel-consumption figures. They may care about familiar V8 response, exhaust sound, perceived durability, towing behavior, resale expectations, brand identity, and the availability of a conventional-feeling powertrain. Some buyers simply want a V8 truck, even if a turbocharged six-cylinder is more powerful on paper.
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Ram’s 2026 decision shows that corporate efficiency strategy and customer preference can pull in opposite directions. Stellantis can believe the Hurricane is the better forward-looking engine for many applications while also recognizing that removing the HEMI entirely risks losing buyers who will not accept that tradeoff.
That is not a full reversal. The Hurricane remains in the Ram lineup, while the HEMI returns as an additional choice. Stellantis is therefore covering both groups: buyers who want newer powertrain efficiency and buyers who specifically want a V8.
What this means if you want a new Dodge
If you want a HEMI-powered muscle car
The new Charger is not the answer. The gas model uses the SIXPACK inline-six, and the Daytona model uses an electric powertrain. Anyone specifically shopping for a HEMI Charger or Challenger must look at the used market and verify the exact model year, engine, trim, and vehicle history.
The end of production does not make every HEMI-era car identical. A 5.7-liter car, a 6.4-liter car, and a supercharged 6.2-liter car have different hardware, calibration, maintenance requirements, and performance characteristics. Buyers should verify the engine by the vehicle identification number and factory documentation rather than relying only on a badge or seller description.
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The 2026 Durango is the relevant Dodge product. Its published information lists the 5.7-liter HEMI, supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI, and available 6.4-liter HEMI. Availability can vary by trim, market, production allocation, and dealer inventory, so confirm the exact configuration before placing an order.
If you want a V8 pickup
The 2026 Ram 1500 restores the 5.7-liter HEMI eTorque option, while retaining Hurricane choices. This is the strongest example of Stellantis adjusting its transition based on customer demand. It also demonstrates why the phrase HEMI discontinuation needs a model-by-model answer instead of a company-wide yes or no.
What the change means for owners of older HEMI vehicles
Existing Charger, Challenger, Chrysler 300, Durango, and Ram owners do not suddenly lose support because a newer vehicle uses a different engine. Their immediate concerns remain ordinary ownership questions: accurate diagnosis, correct fluids and parts, maintenance history, warranty coverage where applicable, and a technician familiar with the specific engine and vehicle.
For older HEMI-era Dodge and Chrysler vehicles, a 5.7 HEMI repair manual can be useful when it matches the exact vehicle. Haynes lists coverage including Chrysler 300 model years 2005–2018, Dodge Charger 2006–2018, Dodge Magnum 2005–2008, and Dodge Challenger 2008–2018, with V8 procedures and wiring diagrams. That coverage should not be treated as a service manual for every HEMI vehicle, every model year, or the 2026 Charger. Check the exact model, year, engine, and edition before buying.
When a warning light appears, an OBD2 automotive diagnostic scanner can help read basic engine-control and emissions-related trouble codes. It is a starting point, not a complete diagnosis. Generic OBD-II capability does not guarantee access to every Dodge control module, manufacturer-specific test, or bidirectional function. Record the code and freeze-frame information, consult vehicle-specific service information, and avoid replacing expensive parts solely because a code points to a general system.
For project cars and performance builds, Mopar Direct Connection HEMI performance parts and crate engines remain part of Mopar’s official performance catalog. These products are not universal drop-in replacements. Fitment, emissions certification, street legality, warranty coverage, and intended street or off-road use vary by product and location. Verify all of those details before purchasing or modifying a vehicle.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the Hurricane a replacement for the HEMI in every meaningful way?
No. It is a replacement in Stellantis’ product-planning sense for selected applications, not an identical substitute in the ownership or emotional sense.
The Hurricane can deliver strong horsepower and torque with a favorable official efficiency profile. That makes it a logical choice for the new Charger and for Ram buyers who prioritize modern output and fuel economy. But the HEMI still offers the traits that make a V8 attractive: a different exhaust note, throttle character, power delivery, engine-bay identity, and traditional muscle-car or truck appeal.
Neither engine should be judged by a single number. A higher horsepower rating does not automatically make one vehicle faster in every condition, and a lower official fuel-consumption figure does not guarantee a particular driver’s real-world result. Transmission gearing, vehicle weight, tires, traction, cooling, payload, towing configuration, and driving style all matter.
The bottom line on Dodge and the HEMI
Dodge is discontinuing the HEMI in the current Charger and ended it with the previous Challenger program because Stellantis is transitioning those products to a newer, more efficient engine family and to electric powertrains. Fleet emissions and fuel-economy pressure helped shape that strategy, while the Hurricane offered a better official performance-efficiency compromise in several applications.
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But the HEMI is not gone. The 2026 Durango still offers HEMI V8 engines, and the 2026 Ram 1500 brings back the 5.7-liter HEMI eTorque after customer feedback. The real story is not the death of the HEMI; it is the end of the assumption that every high-performance Dodge or Ram must offer one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the EPA ban the Dodge HEMI?
No. The available evidence does not support saying that the EPA directly ordered Dodge to stop making the HEMI. Emissions, fuel-economy, and fleet-compliance pressure made newer powertrains strategically attractive, but Stellantis chose the product mix and timing. The 2024 EPA rule was performance-based, and later 2026 policy changes did not restore the HEMI to the new Charger.
Does the new Dodge Charger have a HEMI V8?
No. The current gas-powered Charger uses the 3.0-liter twin-turbo SIXPACK inline-six, which Dodge identifies as a Hurricane engine. The Daytona version uses an electric powertrain.
Can I still buy a new Dodge with a HEMI?
Yes, depending on market, trim, and availability. Dodge’s 2026 Durango information lists 5.7-liter, supercharged 6.2-liter, and available 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engines. Confirm the exact configuration with Dodge or a dealer before ordering.
Why did Ram bring the HEMI back?
Ram said customer feedback prompted the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI eTorque in the 2026 Ram 1500. The Hurricane remains in the lineup, so the move adds choice rather than completely reversing Stellantis’ newer-engine strategy.
Is the Hurricane more powerful than the HEMI?
In some applications, yes. Stellantis lists the standard-output Hurricane in the cited 2026 Ram comparison at 420 horsepower versus 395 horsepower for the 5.7-liter HEMI eTorque, while the high-output Hurricane is listed at 540 horsepower. Published figures vary by market and test context, and horsepower alone does not determine the complete driving experience.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Dodge did not eliminate the HEMI everywhere. It ended the HEMI in the Charger and Challenger while retaining it in the Durango and restoring it to the 2026 Ram 1500. The change reflects a mix of fleet-compliance pressure, Hurricane efficiency and output, platform modernization, electrification, and customer demand—not a single government ban.
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