Overview Rumor has it that Ram’s mid-size Dakota pickup truck is poised for a comeback. Discontinued after the 2011 model year, the Dakota had been a major player in the mid-size truck class, and since then, the segment has seen a boom in products and consumer interest. Details are scarce, but we think Ram could drop in a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or possibly even the Hurricane turbo inline-six under the Dakota’s hood. Styling is likely to be similar to the full-size Ram 1500 pickup, and we expect the Dakota to be built on a truck-style, body-on-frame chassis like rivals such as the Chevy Colorado and the Ford Ranger rather than a more carlike unibody setup like the Honda Ridgeline’s. As we learn more information about the new Dakota, we’ll update this story with details. What’s New for 2028?The Dakota will be an entirely new pickup truck when it eventually gets back to production. We think that timing is at least a few years away, though.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2028 Ram Dakota is expected to start around $35,000 and go up to $48,000 depending on the trim and options.Tradesman$35,000 (est)Big Horn$38,000 (est)Laramie$42,000 (est)Rebel$45,000 (est)Limited$48,000 (est)It’s too soon to know exactly which trims the Dakota will offer or how much each one will cost, but we suspect Ram will stick closely to the 1500’s rulebook and offer low-cost Tradesman and Laramie trims—and higher-end Rebel and Limited ones too.More on the Dakota Pickup TruckAs more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about:
- Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- 0–60-MPH Times
- Towing and Payload Capacity
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
- Infotainment and Connectivity
- Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Source: caranddriver.com
