Dodge Dakota:Review the specs, features and pros & cons

Dodge Dakota Safety

If you're looking at more recent Dakotas, models from 2008 and onwards have a wide array of safety features, including: 

• Driver and passenger airbags, as well as front side and front and rear head protection
• Four-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System to help control the truck in the event of a skid
• Front disc/rear drum brakes for reliable four-wheel braking
• Child locks

Earlier models certainly lacked safety features, but it's worth noting if you opt for an older car that the 2003 did well on side impact tests, even without airbags.

Dodge Dakota Interior

The 2008 SLT Extended Cab trim level offers a six-way power driver’s seat, with a choice of seat height, proximity to the steering wheel, and amount of recline, and a 40/40 folding split rear seat—the entire back seat can be folded down, or just one side or the other. Heated bench seats, air conditioning and electric window controls are also offered in different trim levels.

You can still find a decent older model, such as the 2004, with basic features like air conditioning. The SXT even offered leather seating at the time, so your second-hand Dakota may feel less dated than other vehicles of its time.

Dodge Dakota Technology

Models produced since 2010 have a wide variety of electronic features, like standard 12-volt power outlet and tire pressure monitoring, and options such as:

• 6.5-inch LCD screen
• MyGIG infotainment system
• Voice-activated GPS
• Bluetooth audio
• Remote start
• Six-DVD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input 
• Sirius radio

Some drivers find that the optional touchscreen could be more user-friendly but is still a welcome addition. Entertainment-wise, tech on older models around 2007 only comes with a standard CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

Dodge Dakota Space

The Dakota has a surprising amount of cab and cargo space and a lot of options for interior storage. This is the only compact pickup that can seat six. There is 46.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first-row seat in the Crew Cab model, and 39 cubic feet of cargo room in the Extended Cab model. The “Crate 'N Go” storage system expands the available cargo space with collapsible plastic crates that can be stowed under the rear seats, leaving lots of leg room in the back seat. The Dakota's box capacity rivals that of full-size pickups. 

Dodge Dakota Comfort

ceaA well-engineered suspension ensures a ride that feels more like a car than a pickup truck. Even with the available full-time four-wheel drive engaged, the truck drives smoothly and handles very well. The Dakota is responsive and comfortable to drive. Although critics point out that too few body styles were offered, the three cab types, two box sizes and four trim levels available provide enough variety to keep the Dodge Dakota resale market very strong.