Most people know that Chrysler was the first company to offer today’s minivan. But few know that the Dodge division also was the first to introduce a mid-size pickup, the Dakota.
When introduced in the late 1980s, the Dakota was unique because it was larger than the popular small pickups but smaller than the standard half-ton pickups. In 2000, Dodge introduced a four-door crew cab version, another first for the genre.
In addition to its in between size, the Dakota also rode much smoother than the small pickups with an almost car-like ride. That continues through today.
The current Dakota came out in 2005 and has been refreshed for 2008 with some cleaner styling and a bigger V8. Dodge also was the first to offer a V8 in a small pickup as well.
Our test model was the Dakota Sport 4X4 crew cab with full-time four-wheel drive, another first for this class. You can get two-wheel or part-time four-wheel drive as well.
One of the nice things about our test Dakota was the rear doors that open nearly 90 degrees for easy entry to the rear seats. The only shortcoming was the small, five-foot-four-inch bed. Dodge doesn’t offer a bed extender or other bed options on the crew cab. Extended cab models have a six and a half foot bed but less room in the rear seating area. An adjustable tie-down rail system is built into the bed rails for versatility when carrying cargo.
Under the hood was a 302-horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 linked to a multi-speed automatic transmission. Dodge also offers a 210-horsepower V6 that is an option if fuel economy is high on your list. The V8 only averaged around 16 miles to the gallon, some five miles less than a V6 engine.
Thankfully, Dodge has toned down the semi-truck front grill from the early years. The Dakota now has a stylish look about it that looks as good on the farm as downtown.
The interior is still a bit on the cheap side but everything is well laid out and easy to use for the most part. There are four cupholders up front and two for the rear. The enclosed glove box sits beneath another multi-compartment, open storage area.
Our truck came with the optional towing package and navigation system that helped boost the base price from just under $30,000 to $35,805. For many, the towing package is worthwhile, the navigation maybe not.
Heated front seats, audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel and power folding mirrors are additional goodies that make the Dakota worthwhile.
As always, the Dakota rides very smoothly. The big V8 offered plenty of power and despite the four-wheel drive system, the ride was comfortable and quiet on all types of surfaces.
Being first can pay off in many ways. With the Dakota, it definitely pays off for Dodge.

Ryan’s Ride –
The Dakota has always been unique because of its in-between size. However, as the small pickups have gotten larger through the years, the Dakota is now about the same size as a regular pickup from just a few years ago, but still smaller than today’s half-tons.
While I like the four-passenger room the crew cab offers, the lack of a larger bed is a problem for me. There’s not much that will fit in the back when you run to The Home Depot. But, to get the longer bed, you have to sacrifice the rear doors and extra passenger room for the extended cab model.
I did like the way the rear doors swing wide for easy entrance or exiting. And, the back seats aren’t that bad for short trips.
The large 6X9 mirrors that fold back are a great addition. In today’s traffic, you need all the visibility you can get.
You would think that after all these years, I would have remembered how to program the pre-sets on the audio system. But we don’t get that many Chrysler products to test and I had to drag out the owner’s manual again to program my favorite Sirius stations.
Other than the short bed, the Dakota is a worthwhile truck to consider. Depending on your usage, the V6 should suffice for most buyers.

Marilyn’s Moment –
I’ve said it before, I like trucks. And I liked the Dakota. Because of its size, it was easier to get in and out of and to park.
Most of today’s full-size trucks are so high off the ground, it’s hard to get in or out without a foot stool.
Overall, the interior is well done with the gauges and controls easy to read or reach. The seats were comfortable. There are all kinds of places for items inside the cab. The extra cupholders are great and the center storage bin is deep enough for items you want to keep out of sight.
The rear seating area offers plenty of legroom and the doors that open wide make it easy to exit or enter.
The Dakota drove like a car with plenty of power and a smooth, comfortable ride. One of the reasons I like pickups is that you’re sitting up higher and it’s much easier to see around in traffic. The bigger mirrors on the Dodge were a big help, especially driving between Highway 92 and Barrett Parkway in the never ending construction zone.