Dodge Dakota takes the middle ground in terms of size. Some people find full-size pickups too big, and smaller, compact trucks too small. For them, the Dakota appears just right. The Dakota is larger than the
Ford Ranger,
Chevrolet S-10,
GMC Sonoma,
Toyota Tacoma and other so-called compact pickups, but it's not quite as big as a
Ford F-150 or
Chevrolet Silverado.
For 2001, the biggest news is a redesigned interior with a more car-like feel.
Dodge Dakota is available in three cab configurations: Regular Cab, Club Cab, and Quad Cab. Club Cabs are only available with two doors.
Choose from three trim levels: base, Sport and SLT. Base Regular Cab 2WD retails for $13,910; Sport Regular Cab 2WD goes for $14,695; and SLT Regular Cab sells for $16,810. Sport trim adds better seats and interior trim and upgrades to the exterior. SLT offers more luxuries, bright bumpers and grille, and more options.
Four engines are available: a 120-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-4, a 175-horsepower 3.9-liter V6, a 230-horsepower 4.7-liter V8, and a 250-horsepower 5.9-liter V8. The 4.7-liter was new to the Dakota line last year. Manual and automatic transmissions are available, with the 4.7-liter offering a sophisticated five-ratio four-speed automatic as an option.
Two types of four-wheel drive are available: One is a part-time system with shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive that works well for off-road use. The other is a fulltime four-wheel-drive system designed to provide all-weather traction capability.
Limited-production R/T models come with a high-performance version of the 5.9-liter V8. Less restrictive exhaust increases horsepower and torque and offers a more aggressive exhaust note. Available on 2WD Regular or Club Cabs, the Dakota R/T Sport Group includes aggressive (255/55R17) tires mounted on 17-inch aluminum wheels, heavy-duty stabilizer bars, and a limited-slip rear differential. The R/T is lowered 1 inch. The package adds bucket seats, fog lights, special trim and a long list of convenience items. It adds $2,420 to a Club Cab and $2,380 to a Regular Cab.
Dakota shares its Freightliner styling with the full-size
Dodge Ram. Bold lines give it a big, burley look, like it's ready to take on anything that comes its way.
Regular and Club Cabs have a 6-foot 6-inch bed - a good size for a compact truck. The Quad Cab, on the other hand, has a 5-foot 3-inch bed. According to Dodge, people seldom need the full length of the longer bed. Our experience, however, is that when you need it, you need it. Those who need more cargo space can consider an optional bed extender -an aluminum cage that flips over the lowered tailgate to extend the bed by 18 inches. Sometimes the bed extender works great, but a lowered tailgate with a mesh opening won't hold dirt back like longer bed with a solid tailgate. Dodge also offers a special shell developed for the Dakota by Leer that provides a protected cargo area.
