Ram Dakota

Starting at $30,000 est

Car and Driver

Overview

Those who have fond memories of the Dodge Dakota that disappeared in 2011 may have been happy to hear rumors that Ram was considering resurrecting the nameplate on a mid-size pickup. We had speculated originally that it would debut in 2021 and an offering cheaper and smaller than the half-ton Ram 1500. Unfortunately, the revived Dakota has failed to materialize. While it could have shared some components with its larger sibling, we thought it would have been smarter for Ram to base it on the Jeep Gladiator, which had earned a spot on our 2020 10Best list following the Jeep's debut. The resurrected Dakota would have competed with the Ford Ranger, the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon, and the Toyota Tacoma. While we're hopeful that a Dakota could still join the mid-size pickup market in the future, we're no longer as confident in its reappearance.

What's New?

Had the Dakota launched as expected, it would have been a new offering for the Ram brand. The rumors that had circulated throughout the automotive industry back in 2021 suggested that the Dakota would either be built alongside the Gladiator in Toledo, Ohio, or at Ram's factory in Saltillo, Mexico. (We had heard both rumors.)

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Ram never got around to announcing how much the Dakota would have cost or what trim levels would have been offered. We think its base price would have been significantly lower than the Gladiator's, which at the time started at $35,040. A starting price somewhere around $26,000 would have aligned it with key rivals such as the Ranger and the Colorado.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

No matter if the Dakota had been a downsized version of the Ram 1500 or a rebodied Gladiator, its selection of engine options would have been pretty straightforward. While there was virtually no chance that a V-8 would have been in the cards, the 3.6-liter V-6 that's used across Stellantis's North American lineup was a sure bet, probably paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and both rear- and all-wheel drive. Another potential engine option was the brand's recently introduced diesel 3.0-liter V-6, which was good for 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Dakota would have surely had an off-road-oriented model to challenge similar offerings from its mid-size rivals. We can imagine a Rebel trim level with a rugged appearance, beefier suspension, underbody skid plates, and knobbier tires.

Towing and Payload Capacity

Based on the Gladiator's towing and payload ratings, the Dakota might have been able to pull up to 7650 pounds and haul up to 1600 pounds in its cargo bed. These maximums were never confirmed by Ram, though.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Neither the EPA nor Ram ever released any information on fuel-economy estimates for the Dakota. If plans for the truck are ever carried through, we'll update this story with fuel economy figured once they're published.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

We suspect the Dakota would have had similar interior styling to the Ram 1500, although it probably wouldn't have lived up to that pickup's luxurious standards. Still, the smaller pickup would have likely provided a plethora of standard and optional amenities. This may have included a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, wireless charging, and more. The lineup would have likely offered a crew cab and a smaller extended cab. However, since even the roomiest mid-size trucks—aside from the Honda Ridgeline—don’t have very spacious back seats, we doubt the Dakota would have been any different.

Infotainment and Connectivity

While the Ram 1500 offers a huge vertically oriented 12.0-inch touchscreen, we're not sure that that infotainment system would have been shared with the Dakota. The company's Uconnect infotainment system would have likely included desirable content such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Base models would likely have had a more basic setup, but still would have had the aforementioned features.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Dakota would likely have been equipped with an assortment of standard and optional driver-assistance technology. The roster would likely have included features such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Dakota would have had an average limited and powertrain warranty compared with its mid-size rivals. The Canyon, Colorado, and Tacoma all have complimentary maintenance, something that the Ram brand does not currently offer.