2027 RAM Dakota: As full-size pickup truck prices soar, Ram is looking to add an affordable entry-level truck. The 2027 Ram Dakota will capitalize on the booming midsize truck segment, slotting below the Ram 1500 in the manufacturer’s pickup truck lineup. The 2027 Ram Dakota’s competitors are expected to include the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma.
Updates (March 16, 2026): We’ve just updated the latest details on the 2027 Ram Dakota, which is expected to offer a range of engine options—including traditional gas and a possible plug-in hybrid setup. Estimated Price: $26,000–$34,000.
Ram is reviving a discontinued model name with the Dakota. The last time the automaker included a model smaller than the Ram 1500 in its lineup was when it, and before it, Dodge, offered the Dakota from 1986 to 2011. We’ve been waiting for its replacement ever since.
There’s a new truck coming soon, likely positioned as a midsize lifestyle pickup truck aimed at competing with popular compact and midsize models like the Ford Maverick and Toyota Tacoma. We expect the 2027 Dakota to be offered with a variety of engine options, though Ram hasn’t confirmed which ones will be available.
- Accessible entry point from Ram
- Several drive system options are planned.
- Body construction over frame.
2027 RAM Dakota Reviews
Ram has been aggressively expanding its midsize truck segment lately, aiming to compete with big players like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. After teasing the model last week, the brand has now revealed its first South American-specific competitor, the all-new 2027 Ram Dakota. Built at Stellantis’ Córdoba Industrial Complex in Argentina, the first unit – the Warlock variant – has officially rolled off the production line.
The new Dakota marks Ram’s return to the midsize category, filling the gap between the compact Rampage and the larger 1500 in the region. Sales will begin in Argentina this November, followed by a launch in Brazil in February 2026.
The 2027 Ram Dakota’s design aligns closely with larger Ram trucks, featuring a wide RAM grille, a muscular hood, and full LED lighting throughout. Like its counterpart on the 1500, the Dakota Warlock trim offers a more adventurous touch with 17-inch matte black alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, side steps, and Rambars that serve both utility and style.
Inside, the cabin feels luxurious for its segment, with soft-to-touch materials, a raised center console, and two digital displays—one for the driver and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and phone charging are standard, along with multiple USB ports. Safety technology includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and six airbags.
Power comes from a 2.2-liter Multijet II turbodiesel engine producing 200 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The selectable 4×4 drivetrain features a low gear and a lockable rear differential. Maximum payload is 2,205 lbs, and towing capacity is 7,716 lbs.
While the Argentinian-made Dakota is intended for Latin American markets, Ram has another midsize pickup truck in development for North America. Stellantis confirmed that the all-new Ram truck will be built at its Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio, likely sharing the body-on-frame architecture with the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator.
READ NEXT: 2027 RAM 1500 Specs, Price and Reviews
2027 Dakota
There’s no official name yet, but “Dakota” is the leading candidate. Ram plans to use the Dakota name for a truck for the South American market, which will be produced in Argentina. Another possible name is Rampage. This speculation intensified after the automaker officially obtained a US design patent for a pickup currently sold outside the United States.
The Dakota certainly has a strong heritage among contemporary buyers and can bridge the appeal of nostalgia with modern technology.
2027 RAM Dakota Updates
Well, folks, the secret is out. When Ram returns to the midsize truck segment it left in 2011, the new pickup will have a familiar name. At a media event today, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis confirmed that the brand’s upcoming midsize truck will indeed be called the Dakota.
Tim Kuniskis has leaked the name of Ram’s upcoming mid-size car, which will go into production in 2027 and start at around $40,000.
While this news isn’t particularly surprising to anyone who follows Ram or is familiar with pickup trucks, it’s the latest information ahead of the midsize truck’s official debut. We don’t yet know the exact date, but the new Ram Dakota is scheduled to begin production around 2027 at the company’s plant in Toledo, Ohio. Not only will the truck feature a body-on-frame construction, but it will also offer several engine options, expected to include both a traditional gasoline engine and a plug-in hybrid system.
- Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis confirmed today that the brand’s upcoming midsize pickup truck will be named the Dakota.
- While we already knew that the mid-size Ram would go into production in 2027, we now know that it will revive a familiar nameplate that was discontinued in 2011.
- The new Ram Dakota will offer several engine options, likely including a gasoline engine and a plug-in hybrid, and is expected to start at around $40,000.
2027 RAM 1500 Specs
The Limited trim of the Ram 1500 has a lot of space in the cabin, and it’s much more luxury than I thought it would be. The second row of seats is unusually roomy, with plenty of legroom and headroom for all the bigger passengers. A Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof ($1,595) is also included for all passengers. The Rambox Cargo Management system is also a good feature because it lets you store things outside the truck bed in a safe, lockable way. For your convenience, there is also a 115V AC outlet in the driver’s side Rambox.
The Hemi V8 variant can haul 11,470 pounds, which is a lot. It’s not as strong as some of its closest competitors, but it can still tow more than the Inline-6 model, which can tow 9,740 pounds. But with a few small changes to the arrangement, that number can go up. You can also get a stronger 3.6-liter V6, but that wasn’t an option on our Limited model.
The 2027 RAM 1500 Limited has a lot of characteristics that make it great for going off-road quickly. It has four-wheel drive and an air suspension, which lets the suspension be lifted to handle tougher terrain. But if you want to be able to go off-road, the Rebel, RHO, or Ram Power Wagon would be better options. You also have five drive modes to choose from: Auto, Tow, Snow, Sport, and Off-Road. These modes will help you satisfy your driving needs.
It is also likely that the 2027 RAM 1500 will have a safety system that works well and is even better. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go is also very good. I thought this system was a little easier to use than some other manufacturers, but your experience may be different. Blind-spot and cross-path detection perform well and keep drivers from getting into accidents.
2027 RAM Dakota Design
Stellantis management has confirmed that a physical clay model has been created, not just a sketch. The design process is ongoing. It’s possible the US design will bear similarities to the Ram Dakota (pictured) or the Ram Rampage, which will soon be marketed in South America.
2027 RAM Dakota Engine
While it doesn’t appear the Dakota will use Stellantis’ STLA Large unibody platform, Ram could still offer its midsize pickup with a variety of powertrain options—indeed, to be truly competitive, they’ll need to. Full EV power seems unlikely, but could a hybrid drivetrain be available, or perhaps Stellantis’s powerful new Hurricane 4 turbocharged gasoline engine under the Dakota’s hood? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Ram plans to offer a variety of powertrains: traditional internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). We likely won’t see an all-electric version of the 2027 Ram midsize truck, given that Stellantis recently canceled several EV-related projects, including the all-electric Ram 1500 and, most recently, the Jeep Gladiator 4xe PHEV.
Platform
The new truck will use a body-on-frame platform instead of a unibody design. It’s expected to use a version of Stellantis’ STLA frame—the same platform that will power the Ram 1500 Ramcharger.
Of course, there’s also the possibility that this car shares its underpinnings with the Jeep Gladiator, a rumor that’s been circulating since 2019.
2027 RAM Dakota Competitor
- Ford Ranger
- Chevrolet Colorado
- GMC Canyon
- Nissan Frontier
- Toyota Tacoma
2027 RAM Dakota Price
We expect the Dakota to compete directly with other compact or midsize trucks on the market, although there’s no official pricing information yet. The Dakota will likely build on the success of the Ram 1500 Classic, with an MSRP of around $40,000.
However, given that the Toyota Tacoma starts at just over $33,000, the Dakota will likely offer a variant targeting the low-to-mid-$30,000 price range. This would allow the Dakota to attract buyers from the mid- and upper-end Ford Mavericks, while also capturing customers from the lower- and upper-end Tacoma lineup.
2027 RAM Dakota Release Date
Ram is expected to produce the 2027 Dakota at its Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant. The UAW claims production will begin in 2027, with units potentially arriving at dealerships before the end of that year. The Belvidere plant is currently idle, making it an ideal location to prepare for production of the new pickup truck.
Productions
Production is expected to restart at Stellantis’ currently idled Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant. Recent speculation has suggested the midsize truck could be produced alongside the Jeep Gladiator in Toledo, if it shares its underpinnings with the JT. It could also be produced at the Warren Assembly Plant alongside the Ram 1500.
The Warren plant has excess capacity and was formerly the site of Dakota production. The Belvidere plant requires a complete overhaul to produce split-body trucks; this isn’t the first time Stellantis/FCA has changed its mind.
Verdict
We expect to learn more about Ram’s new midsize truck over the next 12 months, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see it on the road by mid-2027. Stay tuned because this new Dakota will undoubtedly be the Ram brand’s most important product in a long time.
The 2027 Ram Dakota feels like a long-overdue comeback—and honestly, it lands right where it matters most. A midsize truck with real capability, familiar DNA, and just enough modern tech to stay relevant. It’s shaping up to be one of Ram’s most important moves in years.
We’ll keep this page updated as new details come in—no fluff, just what matters. If you’re following the Dakota or trucks in this class, bookmark this site and don’t miss our latest reviews and updates. There’s more coming, and you’ll want to stay ahead of it.
FAQs: People also ask about the Dodge RAM Dakota 2027
Is Dodge bring back Dakota in 2027?
The 2027 Dakota is expected to be built by Ram at its assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois. The UAW says that production should start in 2027, and dealers might have units before the end of that year. The Belvidere facility is now closed, so it's the perfect place to get ready to make a new pickup truck.
Will the Ram Dakota be available in the USA?
Autoblog says that the Ram Dakota will come back to the US market, with production starting around 2027-2028. GM Authority said that it will be a body-on-frame midsize truck made at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in Ohio.
