08 Dodge Dakota Sport Crew Cab 4x2 By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net It is called “the most powerful pickup in the small truck segment.”  It is NOT a mini-Ram.   It is the only small pickup truck to offer full-time four-wheel drive. It offers bold new styling, versatility, and capability.  I'm talking about the new 2008 Dodge Dakota compact pickup.  Myt wife Judy and I had a bright red Sport Crew Cab 4x2 recently to test drive.  It was actually called Flame Red with a dark slate gray interior.

The Dakota is a small size pickup that offers a life-style for those wanting a pickup but not necessarily to be used for heavy duty, day-to-day work.  It certainly appeals to younger buyers shopping for their first truck.  For 2008, Dodge has made some significant changes and improvements, including the towing capability, which appears to be among the best in the small pickup class at over 7000 pounds.

My test model Dakota was powered by an all-new 4.7 liter V8 – the only V8 in the small size pickup class.  This V8 engine has 302 horsepower, which is about a third better than last year’s model.  It offers 329 lb-ft of torque.  All this and an increase in fuel economy of about 5 percent.  This new 4.7 liter V8 uses two spark plugs in each cylinder, just like the 5.7 Hemi engine.  The new V8 is also E85 fully capable. I’m talking about the new V8 engine, but that is an option.  The standard engine is a 3.7 liter V6 with 210 horsepower.  The engines are matched with a six speed manual transmission, but a five-speed automatic is available, which is how my test model was equipped..

The Dakota doesn’t come in a regular, standard cab model.  There’s only two models offered – an Extended Cab and a Crew Cab.  I had the Crew Cab.  Most pickup owners prefer to keep a lot of their “stuff” behind the seat and have it available to carry passengers on occasion.   The 2008 Dakota fits that lifestyle perfectly, while serving up a lot of interior space for a small pickup.  There is 30 cubic feet of interior space in the Extended Cab and over 37 cubic feet in the Crew Cab. 

New features added for 2008 include built-in cargo-box utility rails, heated bench seats, and an under-seat storage system that’s really neat.  This under-seat storage system is one of those things that you can’t figure out why it hadn’t been thought of before.  The rear seat folds up and reveals two flat, folded storage boxes.   When these box sides are pulled up and snapped together, it appears like two milk crates.  These storage box crates can hold a lot of “stuff” and keep it from sliding around and getting buried under the seat.  The crates can easily be removed and lifted out of the back for transporting items at a ball field, home, or office.

The tailgate is another great feature.  It stops at the halfway point, which allows the top of the tailgate to line up on the horizontal with the side-wheel wells.  This allows carrying of 4x8 sheets of lattice, plywood, or sheet rock – flat – not lifted upwards or downwards on a slant.

The exterior offers up great looks with new flared fenders, a distinctive grill and hood, and chrome body side molding.  The 2008 Dakota offers remote keyless entry, side-curtain air bags, height-adjustable seatbelts, and more.  Depending on the driver’s personal lifestyle, the Dodge Dakota can be configured for work, play, or a combination of both. 

There are three key ingredients to notice about this re-designed Dodge Dakota.   It has an improved ride quality, significantly improved performance, and an abundance of added utility.  My test model had a base price of $26,565, but with a premium sound package, automatic transmission, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and delivery charges, the bottom sticker price came to $30,575.  It's a great little pickup truck.  Check out the new 2008 Dodge Dakota at your Chrysler dealership soon.