2022 Ram Dakota Remember the Dodge Dakota? This popular mid-sized truck was produced from 1986 to 2011 as a rival to the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado. Fast forward to a COVID-infused 2020, and it looks like the FCA is looking to return to intermediate action as evidenced by the Dakota trademark application filed in late April.
While our eagle-eyed spy photographer hasn’t shot any test mules to wander around, we’ll be taking a crystal ball pictorial look at what we can expect in terms of looks, powertrains, and everything else known to date. Let’s investigate further.
Inspired by its larger 1500 RAM sibling, this quad-cab study has a muscular, rounded appearance without being overwhelming. The frontal styling features a bold trapezoidal chrome grille flanked by LED headlights, color-coded lower bumper, and tow recovery points.
The side view shows an industrial-inspired approach with elements such as clamps on the b-pillar trim and features tension sheet metal surfaces on the doors and fenders. Further back, the short bed arrangement features vertical ‘wedge-shaped’ LED taillights and a 1500 RAM box for added storage and convenience.
2022 Ram Dakota Update
Many auto news outlets are reporting that Ram has canceled the development of the 2022 mid-size Dakota. This was first reported by, of all sites, the GM Authority. It cites “sources within Stellantis” and we have no doubt that their sources say what they say. But while whatever Ram was at work might have been killed off, we at MotorBiscuit have a different take on the rumours.
GM Authority blamed several reasons for “canceling” the Dakota on the fact that it was based on the Jeep Gladiator platform. Since the Gladiator wasn’t the grand slam that Jeep expected, Stellantis decided that this was the reason to kill Dakota. Others say that not having a V8 destroys the future of the Ram Dakota.
We believe Stellantis killed the Dakota he was working on, but the speculation is wrong. There’s no reason the Ram couldn’t capture the midsize pickup market share. Especially, because it now has a ready-to-go pickup that Ram can have for almost no development costs. Do you say it’s crazy?
Not. That’s not crazy, this is Landtrek. Peugeot Landtrek, which was launched last week. Peugeot has been making tracks for a long time and has a good reputation for building sturdy stuff.
But the option of picking up a new pickup and sticking a big chrome Ram head on it wasn’t an option for the Ram before last month. Now it has all the midsize pickups ready to go that can fit into the slots of the popular midsize pickups and grab a fair share of the market. This is a growing market. Why doesn’t Ram make use of trucks for every need?
In fact, the pickup segment is growing at the lower end beyond the mid-size. Compact trucks are also making a comeback. Ford is developing its own unibody small truck to compete with the soon-to-be-launched Hyundai Santa Cruz. And Ram also has built-in products for this segment, but not from Peugeot. This one goes through Fiat.
It was sold in Mexico as the Ram 700, so there wasn’t even a need to add a ram head to make it a Ram pickup. If the Ram needs a pickup in this segment, the Ram 700 is ready to go. But if anything stands in the way of the debut of one of the trucks, it’s the US “chicken tax”.
Placed in the 1960s it said the pickup needed to be built in the US or a 25% tax was added to it. That makes pickup imports into the country uncompetitive. So Stellantis had to find a site to build whatever was a pickup in the United States. It can’t just start importing Ram 700s and Peugeot Landtreks and get into action.
So while whatever Fiat Chrysler develops on the road to the mid-range Dakota Ram revival may have been scrapped, we’re sure Landtrek will fill that slot well. Chevy sells an average of 150,000 Colorados a year, with Ford selling more than 100,000 Rangers in 2020. You don’t think the Ram will turn his back on the numbers when he has a Landtrek in his hip pocket, do you?
Read next: 2022 Ram 1500 TRX: What We Know So Far!
2022 Ram Dakota Preview
The midsize truck segment is alive and well thanks to the combined popularity of the Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, and the recently launched Nissan Frontier. The Jeep Gladiator, while similar in size, is somewhat more niche.
For that reason, there have been reports for some time about the revival of the Dodge Dakota, only now the Ram truck. The Gladiator-based Dakota Ram was supposed to be part of Fiat Chrysler’s upcoming product line, but the automaker has merged with PSA Groupe to become Stellaris.
The new automaker is currently reviewing FCA’s previous plans and last month we learned that the reborn Dakota had been canceled. Or have it?
Automotive News now claims to have been notified directly by a Stellantis source that the Dakota project is still moving forward. No other details were given but if this is indeed the case, it is still reasonable to assume that it will share the Gladiator architecture. There’s only one problem with that: the segment is saturated; Ram is late for the party.
Ford is already working on the next-generation Ranger and updates are coming soon for GM and Tacoma trucks. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for Stellantis here. This new midsize truck is bigger than its predecessor.
Like almost all new vehicles these days, they are getting bigger and bigger. Hyundai, for example, has taken notice of the upcoming Santa Cruz, which will be slightly smaller than the others. Ford has come to the same conclusion, hence the 2022 Maverick. Instead of a reborn Dakota being a direct Ranger rival, perhaps she should face off against Maverick and Santa Cruz.
Stellaris declined to comment on future product plans, but we wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the automaker is rethinking the Dakota entirely based on its rapidly emerging new compact truck segment. This is pure speculation on our part, but a smaller and still very capable resurrected Dakota could be exactly what Stellantis is looking for.
2022 Ram Dakota Interior
We suspect the Dakota will have a similar interior styling to the Ram 1500, although it probably won’t live up to the pickup’s luxury standards. However, smaller pickups must provide a large number of standard and optional amenities.
This may include a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, wireless charging, and more. The lineup will definitely be offered with a crew cabin and possibly a smaller extended cabin.
However, since even the roomiest mid-size trucks—besides the Honda Ridgeline—won’t have very wide rear seats, we doubt the Dakota will be any different. It should also offer short and long cargo beds, and we’re sure the Ram will fill each model with a wide variety of creative storage solutions.
While the Ram 1500 boasts a large vertically oriented 12.0-inch touchscreen, we’re not sure that the infotainment system will be shared with the Dakota. We believe that the mid-size pickup will be available with at least an 8.4-inch touchscreen.
The company’s excellent Uconnect system is currently offered on a variety of other models and comes with the desired content that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The base model will likely have a more basic setup, but it should still have the features mentioned above.
Old truck interiors have never been a bastion of outstanding design, quality, and technology – but that is all changing with many jumping out of their luxury sedans into full-size & full-load pickups. And if there’s one the new Dakota should emulate, the RAM 1500 will top with its massive 12” touchscreen interface and premium finish.
Expect plenty of room for all occupants with internal dimensions pointing to the best of Colorado and Gladiator. Essential amenities can include items such as a digital instrument cluster, under-rear storage, Harmon Kardon audio, panoramic sunroof, WiFi connectivity, heated/cooled seating, and a full suite of driver assistance functions.
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2022 Ram Dakota Engine
It doesn’t matter if the Dakota is a streamlined version of the Ram 1500 or a remodeled Gladiator, the selection of engine options is pretty straightforward. While there’s almost no chance that a V-8 is on the cards, the 3.6-liter V-6 used throughout the Fiat Chrysler lineup is a sure bet.
It will probably be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear- and all-wheel drive. Another potential engine option is the recently introduced 3.0-liter V-6 diesel, which makes 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.
The Dakota will definitely have an off-road-oriented model to challenge similar offerings from its mid-range rivals. We can imagine the Rebel trim level that looks solid, the suspension is more solid, the skid plate under the body, and the tires are more prominent.
The Dakota had to ride a shortened version of the 1500 chassis or the Jeep Gladiator platform. Either way, power will likely come from a 3.6-liter V6 paired to a 48V eTorque mild hybrid system that produces 305 hp.
Alternatively, the EcoDiesel V6 3.0-liter turbocharged RAM could also be the ticket; in some applications, it can pull up to 12,560 pounds assisted by a generous 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels (or all four as an option) via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
2022 Ram Dakota MPG
Neither the EPA nor Ram has released any information on the estimated fuel economy for the upcoming 2022 RAM Dakota. Once the city and highway ratings were announced, and we had the opportunity to test the mid-size pickup truck on our 200-mile highway route, we were able to evaluate its real-world mpg.
Dodge Dakota 2022 Release Date
So far we have not been able to inform the official schedule of the RAM Dakota Release Date
2022 Ram Dakota Price
Ram hasn’t said how much the Dakota will cost or what trim levels it will offer. We think the base price could be much lower than the Gladiator, which currently starts at $35,040. Its starting price of around $26,000 will align it with major rivals like the Ranger and Colorado.
We’re not sure which trim levels will be offered or at what price, but if the model structure of the larger 1500 pickup can be used as a template, the mid-range SLT or Laramie models will likely deliver the best mix of features and features. affordability.
- Tradesman $26,000 (est)
- SLT $30,000 (est)
- Laramie $32,000 (est)
- Limited $34,000 (est)
