Dodge Dakota Generations: Through the Years

A new vehicle in a new market! Dodge saw a need and delivered with the midsize Dodge Dakota. See how each generation changed through the years. 

Leading the Way 

1987 Dodge Dakota – carsforsale.com |  Shop Dodge Dakota on Carsforsale.com

A first-of-its-kind truck showed up in 1986 and had a successful 25-year run. Bigger than a compact, but smaller than a full-size pickup truck, the Dodge Dakota eventually competed against the likes of the Honda Ridgeline and the Suzuki Equator. For several years, however, the Dodge Dakota was the entire midsize pickup market. It was literally in a class of its own. At one point, enthusiasts called it a “mini-Ram” because of the similarities to the full-size Ram pickup truck.

Other midsize trucks, like the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma, may have continued on after the Dodge Dakota, but no matter what product, sport, or piece of entertainment you’re talking about, it’s the first one that people tend to remember. Unfortunately, America’s first mid-sized pickup was eventually dropped when trends and demand started changing. As you’re about to find out, though, the Dodge Dakota certainly left a mark while it was here.

1st Generation Dodge Dakota (1987-1996) 

• The 1987 Dodge Dakota kicked off the first generation of the midsize pickup. It was made in the same plant that was making the full-size Dodge D/W series, so several other Chrysler components were shared with the first-ever Dodge Dakota.
• The ‘87 Dakota was powered by a 2.2-liter inline-four or 3.9-liter V6. The 2.2-liter engine produced 96 horsepower while the 3.9-liter made 125 horsepower. They were mated to either a standard five-speed manual transmission or an available three-speed automatic.
• Four-wheel drive (4WD) was available with the V6. The Dodge Dakota was the first pickup truck with rack and pinion steering, available only on two-wheel drive models.
• Trim levels for the 1987 Dodge Dakota included the base model, the SE, and the LE. The short bed manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the ‘87 short bed was $14,959. The long bed was selling for $15,419.

• The 1988 Dodge Dakota didn’t receive an increase in power, but fuel injection was added to the 3.9-liter V6.
• Dodge followed up with some bigger changes for the 1989 Dakota. First, a Dakota convertible was introduced. On top of the manually removable folding top was a roll bar. Only 3,700 convertible Dakotas sold in both 1989 and 1990 model years.
• Also, Carroll Shelby’s Shelby Dakota was introduced. It was powered by a 5.2-liter V8 that made 175 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. It was the first rear-wheel drive (RWD) Dodge in decades.
• The Dodge Dakota entered the 1990s with an extended cab model. The convertible was now available with the base trim, too.

• 1990 Dodge Dakota trims were also changed to the base, SE, LE, and Sport. The Shelby Dakota, introduced just a year earlier, was dropped.
• Several changes were made to the 1991 Dodge Dakota. 4WD was available on the Club Cab models and the convertible model was dropped altogether after low sales.
• The four-cylinder base engine provided 117 horsepower, an increase from the ‘90 models.
• Cosmetic changes on the ‘91 Dakota included updated composite headlamps on the LE and Sport trims, a new bumper, a new grille, and exterior door handles that were switched over from plastic to metal.

• 1992 Dodge Dakota pickups also increased in power. The V6 engine increased from 125 horsepower to 180 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. The V8 gained an additional 65 horsepower, for a total of 230 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
• After several updates over the previous few model years, the 1993 Dodge Dakota was, more or less, the same as the 1992 Dakota. The sports model, however, did get some new graphics.
• Some minor updates on the 1994 Dodge Dakota included the addition of a driver’s side airbag and side-door guard beams. The LE trim level was rebranded as the SLT.
• The big update for the 1995 Dodge Dakota was 2WD being added to the Club Cab Sport.
• For the final year of the first-generation Dodge Dakota, the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder was boosted to 120 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The sound system was updated, and three new colors were also added: aqua pearl metallic, claret red pearl metallic, and driftwood metallic.
• With the proper powertrain, a 1996 Dodge Dakota could pull up to 7,100 lbs.

2nd Generation Dodge Dakota (1997-2004) 

• The 1997 Dodge Dakota powertrains remained the same as the first-generation models, but the styling sure didn’t. A much-needed makeover, inside and out, included a new grille, new lines that were more akin to the Dodge Ram, and more comfortable seats.
• The R/T, equipped with a 5.9-liter 250 horsepower Magnum V8 was added to the 1998 Dodge Dakota lineup.
• 1999 Dodge Dakota updates included a new color (solar yellow) and remote radio controls on the steering wheel.
• The new Millennium Dodge Dakota saw a major change in the form of the Quad Cab. Available with four full-size doors, the 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab seated six people.

• The eight-foot truck bed was eliminated. A 4.7-liter V8 was added. The new engine delivered 235 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
• Sales in the U.S. jumped from 144,148 units in 1999 to 177,395 units in 2000.
• The Dodge Dakota was needing a change by 2001, and it got just that. The interior was given upgraded audio equipment while the outside was restyled with larger exterior mirrors.
• Bigger changes consisted of an updated front fascia on sports models, 15 x 7” cast aluminum wheels on Sport and SLT models, and a newly available leather interior on Quad Cab models.

• The value priced SXT trim debuted as part of the 2002 Dodge Dakota. It sat on 16” alloy wheels and added a CD player, AM/FM stereo, power windows, and optional keyless entry to the Sport model. Rear window defrost was added to Club Cabs as an option, too.
• The 2003 Dodge Dakota dropped the 120-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-four from its offerings. An optional five-speed automatic transmission was added for the 4.7-liter V8.
• A Stampede appearance package was available on the 2003 R/T models. Horsepower and performance were the same, but this ground effects kit used polished chrome on the wheels and other areas. 2003 ended up being the last year for the R/T.
• By the time the 2004 Dodge Dakota was released, the pickup had the most powerful engine in its class. A 210-horsepower 3.7-liter Magnum V6 replaced the 3.9-liter engine.
• The Stampede appearance package was available on the other ‘04 Dakotas since the R/T wasn’t part of the lineup.

3rd Generation Dodge Dakota (2005-2011) 

• Dodge kicked off the third generation of the Dakota with a hydroformed boxed steel frame, coil-over front suspension, and revised overall styling. The body grew 3.7 inches longer and 2.7 inches wider, too.
• A five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission pair with one of three engines: a 3.7-liter V6 that made 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque, a 4.7-liter V8 that made 230 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, or a high output 4.7-liter V8 that made 260 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
• The 2005 model wasn’t offered as a regular cab model but was still available as a Club or Quad Cab.
• A number of changes were made in time for the 2006 Dodge Dakota. Cabin upgrades featured an optional sunroof, better audio (including a jack for portable music players), and better access with rear cab doors that opened nearly 180 degrees.

• V6 models used a revised four-speed automatic transmission.
• A TRX package came with off-road tires and unique wheels while the Night Runner package gave the Trans Am the blacked-out paint treatment.
• With the 2007 Dodge Dakota came optional remote start, a dual-position tailgate, and, inside, stain-resistant fabric.
• The 4.7-liter V8 in the ‘07 Dakota had flex-fuel capability for the first time, too. It could run on an E85 blend or on regular gasoline. That V8 made 260 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

• 2008 Dodge Dakota models had an improved 4.7-liter V8 that upgraded output to 320 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. A limited lifetime powertrain warranty was offered for the first time.
• Inside of the 2008 Dakota were heated bench seats, a hard-drive-based navigation system, and a redesigned instrument panel.
• The ‘08 updates didn’t stop there. In addition to some revised front-end styling, a Big Horn trim was also added.
• Most of the changes on the 2009 Dodge Dakota consisted of reorganizing trim levels. The ‘09 Dakota was available as the ST, Big Horn, Lone Star, and TRX4. It was also available as an Extended Cab or Crew Cab.

• The Dodge Dakota may have been going out, but the 2010 Dodge Dakota went out with a few updates. A revised suspension with better tuning made for a better ride.
• Actually, it wasn’t even the Dodge Dakota at that point. It was moved to the Ram brand and called the Ram Dakota.
• Other updates, like eliminating the six-speed manual transmission and offering the TRX4 and Laramie strictly as Crew Cabs, made for a more limited selection.
• The last Dodge Dakota was assembled on August 23, 2011, marking a solid 25-year run.

2011 Dodge Dakota – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com |  Shop Dodge Dakota on Carsforsale.com

• Dodge found that there was a decreasing interest in compact pickups, and one issue that buyers complained about was that the Dakota wasn’t any cheaper than a full-sized Ram 1500.
• By 2010, the sales for the Dodge Dakota dipped to just 13,047. Just four years earlier, in 2005, sales were at 104,051.
• Dodge continued selling off the remaining Dakota models through 2012. 12,156 were sold in 2011 and 490 were sold in 2012.
• Of course, trends change and, as we’ve said before, light pickups are gone, but not for good. It’s always possible we see the Dodge Dakota name brought back at some point. The Dodge Dakota still makes our list as one of the Best Small Trucks Under $5,000.

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