The Dodge Dakota is grouped with compact pickup trucks, and it is definitely smaller than full-sized pickups. But it really could be classified as a mid-size, since it falls somewhere in-between most trucks in either class. The Dakota has been around in current form since 1997, but surprisingly still looks modern and performs as well as any of the competition. For 2001, the Dakota adds interior design improvements, slightly larger mirrors, and steering wheel radio controls. There are emissions, trim, and other minor changes.

The Dakota is available in regular cab, club cab, and quad cab versions. As a regular cab truck, the Dakota does feel a lot more like a true compact truck than it does in extended and quad cab guise. I found the seat travel insuffcient to find a comfortable driving position for my 6'0" frame. In that regard, it is really not much different than the competition, other than a little more space, a little more power, and a little more money spent. I think the Dakota really shines in extended and quad cab versions. When well equipped, but without going crazy on the options, the Dakota is an excellent bargain in its class. An Extended Cab 4x4 with sport package, V-8, automatic transmission, upgraded wheels, power windows, etc, will cost you, in the real world, only about $20,000. You could add another $2,000-$3,000 in options, but the truck looks great and is well-equipped at 20K. Quad cab models run about $1,800 more. Dropping 4wd saves you roughly $3,000, but I think the Dakota still rides smoothly with the 4wd, and it looks better than the 2wd models, though they are no slouch in the looks department either. It's a personal preference, but I would strongly consider the 4wd version if you can afford the upfront costs, since it will be returned to you at resale time. 4wd is a big plus when trying to sell an old truck, since many are bought as construction vehicles and recreational off-roaders.

Here's how the Dakota rates with me:

EXTERIOR: The Dakota looks flashy and sporty. For that reason, It should be a favorite with younger buyers and those who prefer a truck they can admire while washing it. The long wheelbase and big wheel wells mean you should definitely go with the larger wheel and tire packages. I have seen some pretty homely Dakotas around town without them. I really like the Dakota's optional 31 inch tire and wheel packages. They look aggressive and give the truck a muscular stance. The plastic grill does look a little cheesy, and trying to copy the Ram's lines on a smaller, narrower, shorter vehicle doesn't quite work 100%, but the Dakota does look nice, and I prefer it to all of the competition's styling. Paint is average, and Dodge doesn't have a great reputation for long-lasting paint jobs, but so far I haven't seen any with peeling paint problems. I prefer the color keyed look of sports models to the SLT's. Since the Sports also cost a little less, that would be my choice of trim line.

INTERIOR: This is probably my favorite part of the Dakota. The seats fit great, the driving position is comfortable, and the overall style just looks great to me. This is still a truck so expect some plastic buttons and a definite non-luxury look. You can get it with bucket seats and a console, or a split front bench with a fold down console. For a compact truck, the interior really does feel comfortable, though the roofline is a little low. Front seat passengers will have plenty of legroom, except in regular cab form, but things are more cramped in the rear unless you opt for the quad cab. I would recommend the club cab for singles and couples w/o kids, and the quad cab for dads trying to avoid mini-van syndrome. The front-hinged rear doors and more space make it possible to fit in child seats, which is a near impossibility in the club cab . I find it to be an excellent alternative for families who want an affordable alternative to a minivan or compact SUV. For comparison, the SUV version of the Dakota, the Dodge Durango, costs about $5,000 more. If you don't require seating for 7, you should consider the Dakota Quad cab with a locking roll-up metal bed cover. When it's time to haul messy or oversized items, you will be glad you did.

PERFORMANCE: This is another Dakota strong suit, but only if you opt for one of the V-8 engines. In 4 or 6 cylinder form, it becomes just another also-ran. There is a new 4.7L V-8 that is smooth, powerful, and modern. The bigger 5.9L V-8 is crude and noisy in comparison, and I see very little reason to go with the bigger engine. In real-world driving, the 4.7L feels strong and you really have to thrash the 5.9L to get the power. If you need that much additional towing power, you might be better off with a full size vehicle. I had the 5.9L V-8 in my Dodge Ram, and it was dependable, but felt less powerful than it was due to its excess noise and vibration. V-6 4x4's will be slowwwwwww. With the 4.7L V-8 a great deal at only $517, you will more than recoup the cost at resale time. GET A V-8! Straining a V-6 all the time will use almost as much fuel. Gas mileage isn't great with this truck, but then it isn't great with any really capable truck. If you want economy, stick with 4 cylinder engines.

Braking is adequate, though nothing spectacular. The Dakota feels smooth on the road, though it is still obviously a truck first, and family cruiser second. 4 wheel ABS is optional, and will run you about $500 more. The Dakota handles well for a pickup, with 2wd versions handling quite well. The available R/T package makes your truck a sports truck, but I prefer cars for sports driving. Big engines and tires tend to get you in trouble in a truck. A sports truck is still no sports car, and should not be driven like one. There are better trucks out there in terms of quiet, ride, and handling, but you have to go up to newer, much more expensive full sized models like the Toyota Tundra or Chevy Silverado to get it.

OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE: This is the one area that might steer me away from a Dakota and towards the competition, though I would chose a modestly equipped full size truck over any other compact available. They're just too small for me. Dodge vehicles are great designs, but they often have problems with the transmissions, brakes, and drivelines. My experience with getting warranty work done right was frustrating. My brother also owns a Ram, and he had similar problems. We both had multiple transmission problems in the first 36,000 miles, including one complete transmission rebuild. The Dakota did fare well in JD power initial quality surveys, so check around. I just find the Dodge dealers in my area to be less than eager to fix your problems. I have read and heard similar experiences, so take this into account when making a purchase decision.

Resale is average on Dakotas, with nice looking 4x4 extended cab models faring best. Any truck will hold its value well compared to most cars, so don't worry. Just be sure to avoid a stripper model, since the few dollars you save up front will mean much lower resale value.

SAFETY: This is where the Dakota seems to have a split personality. On the government's frontal crash test, the Dakota scores 4 stars, just off their highest 5 star rating. Side crash tests give the Dakota a top 5 star rating. This truck also weighs about 4,000 lbs, so it should be a great pick for safety, right? Well, not quite. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which has their own frontal crash test, gives the Dakota a "poor" rating in their frontal offset crash test. I'm not sure what to make of such differing test scores, but the overall injury rate for Dakota drivers is rated "good" at crashtest.com, a site which summarizes all the tests. I would feel safer in a Dakota than in anything but a large car, however. The Dakota 4x4 does sit high and has a somewhat narrow stance, so drive it with respect. The higher seating position, while a negative in terms of rollover risk, might help you avoid injury in a crash.

Overall, I like the Dakota a lot. If I hadn't found my 2wd Toyota Tundra such a great truck, I might have purchased a Club Cab Dakota 4x4. When you stop to realize that a 4wd Dakota, which is just a little smaller than a Tundra, costs $5000 less than a similarly equipped Tundra, you can see that there is real value here. Even a Quad Cab Dakota costs less, and it has a much more useable rear seat. It can tow and haul almost like a big truck, but is priced more like a compact. This brings up the Dakota's real-world price. With $2,000 rebates and heavy discounting due to slow sales, the Dakota is currently a fantastic bargain, if you take it easy on the options list. I also like that you don't see a lot of them on the road, especially nice looking 4x4 models.

For the cost-conscious economy truck user,you might try a reliable Nissan or Toyota Tacoma instead, but for a capable, reasonably spacious truck that won't bust your budget and will fit in your garage, the Dakota is hard to beat.

HINT: Farm Bureau members get an additional $500 rebate on Dodge Trucks. They have a minimum time you must be a member, so join well before you're ready to buy. Anyone can join for about $25, and you can save another $500, making the Dakota an even bigger bargain.
Amount Paid (US$): 20100
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and Options: 4x4 club cab sport