The 2011 Ram Dakota is the best Dakota model year, with the 2010 Dodge Dakota at #2 and the 2009 at #3. All three have the 302 hp 4.7 L V8, and we ranked each year on power, towing, safety and features.
Photo: order_242 from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best Dakota year.
Top engine: 4.7 L V8, 302 hp and 329 lb-ft, E85 compatibleTowing: Best-in-class towing of up to 7,250 lbs.Room: 30 cu ft of interior space in the Extended Cab and 37.1 cu ft in the Crew CabLast of the line: The last Dakota came off the line on August 23, 2011, ending a 25-year run
The 2011 Dakota, sold under the Ram brand, has the 302 hp, 329 lb-ft 4.7 L V8 and best-in-class towing of up to 7,250 lbs. It was the last one built: the final truck came off the line on August 23, 2011.
Go ifThe newest Dakota you can buy, with the strongest V8 and towing
Skip ifYou want a V8 with a manual: that option was dropped on V8 models for 2007
Why #1 over #2: It has the same 302 hp V8 and 7,250-lb towing as the 2010 and is the final, newest Dakota.
2
2010 Dodge Dakota (ND)
Photo: order_242 from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe ride-and-handling year.
Top engine: 4.7 L V8, 302 hp and 329 lb-ft, E85 compatibleNew for 2010: New Tokico shock modules and Arvin springs for improved ride and handlingTowing: Best-in-class towing of up to 7,250 poundsBed: Largest and longest standard cargo bed in its class: 6-foot 6-inches in the Extended Cab
The 2010 Dakota added new Tokico shock modules and Arvin springs for improved ride and handling. It keeps the 302 hp V8, 7,250-pound towing and the class’s largest standard bed, 6-foot 6-inches in the Extended Cab.
Go ifA late Dakota with the improved ride and the full trim choice, including TRX4
Skip ifYou want the very last model year
Why #2 over #3: Its new shocks and springs give it a better ride than the 2009.
3
2009 Dodge Dakota (ND)
Photo: order_242 from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe value facelift year.
Top engine: 4.7 L V8, 302 hp (introduced for 2008)New for 2009: Big Horn/Lone Star models replace SXT; the 4.7-liter V-8 becomes available on Big Horn/Lone StarStandard on Laramie: 18-inch aluminum wheels and premium cloth bucket seatsStorage: Crate ’N Go under-seat storage standard on Big Horn/Lone Star
For 2009 the Big Horn/Lone Star replaced the SXT and could be ordered with the 4.7-liter V-8, while the Laramie got standard 18-inch wheels and premium cloth bucket seats.
Go ifA Big Horn or Laramie with the 302 hp V8 for less than a 2010-2011
Skip ifYou want the 2010 suspension update
Why #3 over #4: It adds the Big Horn/Lone Star trim with the V8 available and standard 18-inch wheels on the Laramie.
4
2008 Dodge Dakota (ND)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first facelift year.
Top engine: 4.7 L V8, 302 hp and 329 lb-ftNew for 2008: New hood, grille, front fascia, fenders and headlamps; built-in cargo-box utility rails; heated bench seatsLaunch price: $20,080 (ST Extended Cab 4x2, including $645 destination)Engine gain: More power and torque with better fuel economy and more refinement than previous 4.7-liter V-8s
The 2008 facelift brought a new hood, grille and headlamps, cargo-box utility rails, heated bench seats and the new 302 hp, 329 lb-ft 4.7 L V8. It started at $20,080 for an ST Extended Cab 4x2, including $645 destination.
Go ifThe first year of the 302 hp V8 and the facelifted look
Skip ifYou want the Big Horn trim (2009 onward)
Why #4 over #5: Its 302 hp V8 beats the 2007’s 260 hp High Output engine.
5
2007 Dodge Dakota (ND)
Photo: Cutlass / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe budget third-gen pick.
Top engine: 4.7 L High Output V8, 260 hp and 310 lb-ftNew for 2007: Dual-position tailgate standard on all models; segment-first remote start available on SLT and LaramieFuel: The 4.7-liter engine becomes flexible-fuel capable (E85)Crash test: IIHS rated this generation “Good” in the frontal offset crash test
The 2007 Dakota made the dual-position tailgate standard, added segment-first remote start on SLT and Laramie, and made the 4.7 L flexible-fuel (E85) capable. IIHS rated this generation Good in the frontal offset test.
Go ifA cheaper third-generation Dakota with modern features
Skip ifYou want a stick shift with the V8 (deleted for 2007)
Why #5 over #6: Its standard dual-position tailgate and available remote start make it the better daily truck than the 2006 R/T.
6
2006 Dodge Dakota R/T (ND)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe sporty third-gen.
Top engine: 4.7 L High Output V8, 260 hpR/T package: 4.7-liter High Output engine, hood scoop, 17-inch chrome-clad wheels and R/T gauge graphicsNew for 2006: TRX, TRX4 Off-Road, R/T and Night Runner packagesGearbox: The standard-output 4.7 L V8 could still be ordered with the six-speed manual in 2005 and 2006
The 2006 R/T package paired the 260 hp 4.7-liter High Output V8 with a hood scoop and 17-inch chrome-clad wheels. 2006 also brought the TRX, TRX4 Off-Road and Night Runner packages, and the standard-output V8 could still be had with the six-speed manual.
Go ifA sporty-looking Dakota with the High Output V8
Skip ifYou expect a true performance truck: the 2006 R/T was mostly cosmetic
Why #6 over #7: Its R/T package and the new 2006 TRX4 option give it more choice than the 2005.
7
2005 Dodge Dakota (ND)
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first third-gen year.
Top engine: 4.7 L High Output V8, 260 hpLaunch price: $19,210 (ST Club Cab 2WD, including $645 destination)Redesign: Six-speed manual, coil-over independent front suspension and a stronger hydroformed frameFirst: The first mid-size pickup to offer heated cloth seats
The redesigned 2005 Dakota brought a six-speed manual, coil-over independent front suspension, a stronger hydroformed frame and a 260 hp High Output V8 option. It started at $19,210 for an ST Club Cab 2WD, including $645 destination.
Go ifThe cheapest way into the safer third-generation body
Skip ifYou want the 2007 tailgate and remote start updates
Why #7 over #8: Its third-generation body earned a Good IIHS frontal offset rating, while a 1998 second-generation Dakota was rated Poor.
8
2004 Dodge Dakota (DN)
Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best second-gen year.
Top engine: 4.7 L V8, 230 hp and 295 lb-ftNew for 2004: A 3.7-liter V-6 replaces the 3.9-liter V-6; front bucket seats become standard on Quad CabV6 output: 3.7 L PowerTech V6, 210 hp and 235 lb-ftLast of its generation: Second-generation production ran July 1996 to July 2004Crash test: A 1998 Dakota of this generation was rated Poor in the IIHS moderate overlap front test
The 2004 Dakota replaced the old 3.9 L V6 with the 3.7 L PowerTech V6 (210 hp, 235 lb-ft) and made front bucket seats standard on Quad Cab; the 4.7 L V8 makes 230 hp.
Go ifThe most refined second-generation Dakota
Skip ifYou want the third generation’s Good IIHS frontal rating
Why #8 over #9: Its 3.7 L V6 and standard Quad Cab buckets make it a better buy than the 2002.
9
2002 Dodge Dakota (DN)
Photo: Cutlass / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe budget second-gen.
Top engine: 4.7 L V8, 230 hp and 295 lb-ftNew for 2002: Door structure revised for dynamic side-impact protection; new SXT modelInterior: All-new instrument panel, cluster, floor consoles and trim panels arrived for 2001Four-cylinder: 2002 was the final year for the four-cylinder engine
The 2002 Dakota got a door structure revised for dynamic side-impact protection, the all-new 2001 interior and the 230 hp 4.7 L V8. It was the last year for the four-cylinder engine.
Go ifAn inexpensive Dakota with the 2001 interior and the 4.7 V8
Skip ifYou want the 3.7 V6 (2004 only in this generation)
Why #9 over #10: Its revised side-impact door structure and 2001 interior make it a safer, nicer daily truck than the 2000 R/T.
10
2000 Dodge Dakota R/T (DN)
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe real performance Dakota.
Top engine: 5.9 L Magnum V8, 250 hp and 345 lb-ftPerformance: 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds; a quarter mile in just over 15 secondsNew for 2000: The Quad Cab and the next-generation 4.7-liter V-8 arrivedLimits: The R/T came in 2WD, with 1,800 lb maximum towing and 970 lb maximum payload
The 2000 Dakota R/T has the 5.9 L Magnum V8 with 250 hp and 345 lb-ft and ran 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. It came in 2WD, with 1,800 lb maximum towing and a 970 lb maximum payload.
Go ifA fun, collectible V8 street truck
Skip ifYou need towing or four doors (not offered on the R/T)
How we ranked these
We ranked each model year on what it gives a used-truck buyer today: engine power, towing, crash-test results and features, using Chrysler’s own Dakota press kits and the Dodge Dakota record. Newer third-generation years rank first. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best year for the Dodge Dakota?
The 2011 Ram Dakota: the last model year, with the 302 hp 4.7 L V8 and best-in-class towing of up to 7,250 lbs.
Which Dakota years have the most powerful engine?
The 2008-2011 trucks, whose 4.7-liter V-8 makes 302 hp and 329 lb-ft.
When did Dodge stop making the Dakota?
The last Dakota came off the line on August 23, 2011, ending a 25-year run.
How fast is the Dakota R/T?
The 1998-2003 Dakota R/T with the 250 hp 5.9 L V8 ran 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.
Top engine output (as published) at a glance
2004 Dodge Dakota (DN)230 hp
2002 Dodge Dakota (DN)230 hp
2000 Dodge Dakota R/T (DN)250 hp
2005 Dodge Dakota (ND)260 hp
2011 Ram Dakota (ND)302 hp
Top engine output (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
