2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab TRX4 4x4 By:  ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net             Most people think of the Dakota as being a small sized pickup.  But when the Dakota was delivered for a test drive, it looked so big, I thought it was a Dodge Ram instead.  The Dakota is large, capable, and powerful. In 2008, Dodge made some significant changes and improvements, including the towing capability, which is among the best in the small pickup class at over 7000 pounds.    It is NOT a mini-Ram.   It used to be the only small pickup truck to offer full-time four-wheel drive,  but now it is a basic, two speed system.   The Dakota offers bold styling, versatility, and capability.   This 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.

       The Dakota is powered by a 4.7 liter V8 – the only V8 in the small size pickup class.  The 4.7 liter V8 uses two spark plugs in each cylinder, just like the 5.7 Hemi engine. This 4.7 V-8 produces 302 horsepower and was in our test model.  The standard engine is a 3.7 liter V6 with 210 horsepower.  Our test model was matched with a five speed automatic equipped with overdrive.

The Dakota doesn’t come in a regular cab model.  There are only two models offered – an Extended Cab and a 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 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.  Having all this storage room was great for the Thanksgiving weekend when we were hauling things back and forth.

The Dakota includes 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 exterior offers up great looks with flared fenders, a distinctive grill and hood, and chrome body side molding.  Our test model was a beautiful Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Clear Coat.  The interior was Dark Slate Gray.The 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. 

Today’s full-size pickups are so much larger than those from several years ago.  The Dakota may be listed in the Small Pickup category, but it is impressive in its capabilities.  If you need or want towing cability, the Dakota has it, yet it can maintain a very comfortable cruising speed on the highway.  The Dakota is very maneuverable and the steering was fairly tight.  Off road, the Dakota provides quite a bit of ground clearance.

The 2010 Dodge Dakota is EPA rated at only 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.  Judy and I averaged 20 mpg for the week, but it included a lot of highway driving during the Thanksgiving week.  The base MSRP is $31,365, but with all the options and delivery charges, the bottom sticker price came to $36,160.  I have heard a number of people say that for that price you should get a used Ram.  Possibly, but the 2010 model includes so many improvements in safety features and other small areas.  It received five star ratings for frontal crash tests.

            Check out the new Dakota pickup yourself at a Chrysler-Dodge dealership and see if this “small” pickup might be big enough for you.