The Dodge Dakota enjoys a comfortable spot in the competitive light-duty pickup truck market.  Considerably larger than the compact pickups that it’s considered to be in competition, yet smaller than the full-sizes, it’s got next to no direct competition.  The Dakota doesn’t need competition to be a decent truck, however, and it’s earned its particular catbird seat by combining the strengths of large and small pickups into a “just right” package.

The Dakota is available as a regular cab, an extended two-door Club Cab, and a Quad Cab with four full-size doors and a shortened bed.  Naturally, the Club Cab version is the most versatile of the group.  Although it only has two doors, the full-length bed makes up for the complicated access to its somewhat spacious back seat.

Once inside, up to four passengers can get comfortable in the Dakota.  Five can get in, but they won’t be comfortable.  Part of the advantage it enjoys among compact pickups is a comparatively spacious interior.  The dashboard looks like the six-year old design that it is, but everything works well.  The optional center console is cavernous, and the rear bench seat has additional secure storage underneath.  The high-backed front seats are comfortable for longish trips.

Dakotas have looked the same since 1997, but the aggressive styling has yet to become overly dated.  When it was first introduced, the bold Dakota brought big-rig styling to the compact pickup market.  Generously sculpted fenders and hood cradle a big, bold Dodge “crosshair” grille.  The fenders are flared aggressively, and even two-wheel drive Dakotas look like they’re ready to tackle any terrain.  The exterior can be livened up with a variety of exterior options and accessories, too; personalization is half of the game when it comes to personal-use pickups.  Molded running boards, caps, tonneau covers and bed are all available from Dodge dealers to dress up the Dakota.  The Dakota looks particularly good in two-tone paint, too.

The other half is, of course, the ability to work.  Dodge equips the Dakota Club Cab with power to spare in its V6 and V8 powerplants.  The standard 3.9 liter V6 has 175 horsepower and 225 lb.-ft. of torque.  Optional 4.7 liter V8 power boosts the grunt to 230 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. torque, although fuel economy suffers mightily.  The Dakota is one of the few compact trucks that can work like one of the big boys, however.  Properly equipped, the “compact” Dakota can tow up to 6150 pounds, and it’s got a payload of 1760 pounds.  That’s greater than some full-size SUVs and pickups.  We drove the 4.7 V8, and when it’s not loaded down, the Dakota offers somewhat urgent performance from a standstill.  And if that’s not enough, a 250 horsepower 5.9-liter “Magnum” V8 is available in the hot-rod Dakota R/T (but only with two-wheel drive).  The four-wheel drive system is a full-time system which doesn’t need to be switched on or off.

The suspension is standard pickup fare.  If there’s a part of the Dakota that’s showing its age, it’s the leaf-sprung rear end.  Four-wheel drive Dakotas use gas shocks and torsion bars up front, but it’s still undeniably a truck when driving around town.  A ride in the new full-size Dodge Ram gives us high hopes that the next version of the Dakota will drive as smoothly as its big brother.  For now, Dakota buyers will have to be content with handling that is unabashedly trucklike.  Front disc and rear drum brakes are standard, as are rear anti-lock brakes (ABS).  Four-wheel ABS is optional.

The Dakota is blessed with compact-truck pricing.  The value-driven SXT model starts at $17,000, and includes a number of popular options such as cast aluminum wheels and a CD player.  Farther up the scale are Sport and SLT models which pile on the options just like the big trucks do.  And why not?  The Dakota can work like the big trucks, so it might as well have optional overhead consoles, Class IV receiver hitches and leather interiors just like the big trucks do too.  It may be considered a compact, but the Dodge Dakota has the heart of a full-size pickup truck.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2002 Dodge Dakota Club Cab 4×4.

Length:         215.0 in.
Width:            71.6 in.
Height:            67.4 in.
Wheelbase:        131.1 in.
Cargo space:        46.0 cu.ft. (6.5 foot box length)
Towing capacity:    6150 lb.
Payload:        1760 lb.
Base price:        N/A
Engine:         4.7 liter SOHC V8
Drivetrain:         four-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Horsepower:         230 @ 4800
Torque:         295 @ 3200
Fuel capacity:        22 gal.