2027 RAM Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck that will be available in 2027. This old Dodge mid-size pickup truck will definitely fill the void in the Ram portfolio for low-cost vehicles.
We are always working to keep this information up to date so that we can appropriately name the assembly factory where the new Ram Dakota will be made.
Hey, CarsAuthority buddies, the secret is out. When Ram comes back to the midsize truck market it departed in 2011, the new pickup will have a name that people will recognize.
Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of Ram, stated at a media event that the brand’s next mid-size truck will be called the Dakota.
Anyone who follows Ram or knows about pickup vehicles won’t be too surprised by this news. It’s the most recent news about the midsize truck before it officially comes out. We don’t know the precise date yet, but the new Ram Dakota is set to start being made at the company’s plant in Toledo, Ohio, around 2027.
This vehicle will have a body-on-frame design and a choice of engines. It is intended to have both regular gasoline engines and a plug-in hybrid system. Let’s talk about them together.
2027 RAM Dakota Overviews
As the prices of full-size pickup trucks go up, Ram wants to make a cheap entry-level truck. The 2027 Ram Dakota will fill a gap in the manufacturer’s pickup truck portfolio, sitting below the Ram 1500. It will take advantage of the fast rising midsize truck market. The Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma are likely to be the 2027 Ram Dakota’s main competitors.
The Dakota is a new version of an old Ram model name. The last time the car company had a model smaller than the Ram 1500 was when it and Dodge made the Dakota from 1986 to 2011. Ever since then, we’ve been waiting for its replacement.
A new truck is on the way. It’s probably going to be a midsize lifestyle pickup truck that competes with popular compact and midsize versions like the Ford Maverick and Toyota Tacoma. We think the 2027 Dakota will come with a number of engine choices, but Ram hasn’t said which ones will be available yet.
- What happened: Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of Ram, recently said that the Dakota, which used to be a Dodge, is back.
- Why this is important: Ram needs a midsize pickup truck back because all of its competitors already have one.
- When will we get it? We don’t have an official schedule yet, but we think it will be ready by 2027.
2027 RAM Dakota Truck for Mid-Size
Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of Ram, just said that the Ram Dakota is coming back. This vehicle was last made in 2011 and was once called the Dodge Dakota.
At a media presentation in Detroit on Thursday, the brand’s CEO said that they need a $40,000 truck on the market. He wasn’t talking about a simpler, cheaper version of the brand’s 1500 full-size truck when he said that.
Now we know for sure that Ram will bring back the Dakota moniker and that it will be a pickup truck that is in the middle of the size range. Kuniskis said that bringing back the Dakota name was “an easy decision,” and his statement also announced the truck’s ultimate pricing. The Ford Ranger costs about $35,000, and we think the Dakota will be very similar to other midsize trucks.
Even though there have been speculations, this is the first time anyone from the Ram brand has said for sure that the new Dakota is true and will be here. Not much else is known after that.
But we wouldn’t be surprised if this new Dakota had the same 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque as the recently updated Jeep Grand Cherokee’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It would also have an eight-speed automatic transmission and part-time all-wheel drive.
We hope to learn more about Ram’s new midsize truck in the coming year, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it hit the road by the middle of 2027. Stay tuned; this new Dakota will be the most important thing the Ram brand has made in a long time.
READ NEXT: 2027 RAM 1500 Specs, Price and Reviews
2027 RAM Dakota Redesign
The design of the 2027 Ram Dakota is very similar to that of bigger Ram trucks. It has a huge RAM grille, a strong hood, and complete LED lighting all over.
The Dakota Warlock variant, like the 1500 version, adds a more adventurous touch with 17-inch matte black alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, side steps, and Rambars that may be used for both style and practicality.
2027 RAM Dakota Interior
We all know that the RAM Dakota’s inside is really nice for its class. It has soft-touch materials, a raised center console, and two digital displays: one for the driver and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for entertainment.
It comes with several USB ports, wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and phone charging. Adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and six airbags are all safety features.
We don’t know yet if the RAM Dakota will get any new features inside for 2027. As new information comes in, we’ll keep this page up to date.
Performance
No one knows where the 2027 RAM Dakota will be. We think, though, that the power will come from a 2.2-liter Multijet II turbodiesel engine with 200 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, which will be paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission.
The selectable 4×4 powertrain has a low gear and a rear differential that can be locked. The maximum weight it can carry is 2,205 pounds, while the maximum weight it can pull is 7,716 pounds.
2027 RAM Dakota Engine
It doesn’t look like the Dakota will use Stellantis’ STLA Large unibody chassis, but Ram could still provide its midsize pickup with a range of powertrain options. In fact, they need to do this to be competitive.
It doesn’t look like full EV power will be available, but what about a hybrid drivetrain or Stellantis’s new Hurricane 4 turbocharged gasoline engine beneath the Dakota’s hood? We’ll just have to wait and see.
2027 RAM Dakota Models
We think that the 2027 RAM Dakota will have both diesel and plug-in hybrid trim levels, which will cover the gap between the Ram 1500 and the Ram 2500.
2027 RAM Dakota Price
We think the Dakota will compete directly with other compact and midsize trucks on the market when it comes to price, but no official pricing information has been revealed yet. The Dakota will probably do even better than the Ram 1500 Classic, which costs about $40,000.
The Dakota will probably include a version that targets the low- to mid-$30,000 pricing range, though, as the Toyota Tacoma starts at little over $33,000. This would help the Dakota get buyers from the mid- and upper-end Ford Mavericks and lower- and upper-end Tacoma customers.
2027 RAM Dakota Release Date
The Dakota, which is produced in Argentina, is meant for the Latin American market. However, Ram is also working on a mid-size pickup truck for North America.
Stellantis said that the new Ram truck will be made at its Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio. It will probably have a body-on-frame design like the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator.
The US version is scheduled to come out in 2027, and production will probably commence in 2028 or 2029.
The Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant is where Ram is anticipated to make the 2027 Dakota. The UAW says that production will start in 2027 and that units might be reaching dealerships by the end of that year. The Belvidere facility is not currently in use, therefore it is a good place to get ready to make the new pickup truck.
We think the 2027 RAM Dakota will start to be sold in South America in early 2026.
Verdict
The return of the RAM Dakota represents a strategic move rather than a fully revealed product. With midsize pickups growing rapidly in popularity, Ram clearly needs a model positioned below the Ram 1500.
While many specifications remain unconfirmed, the Dakota’s comeback alone signals Ram’s intention to compete directly with established rivals like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado.
This article will be updated as soon as Ram releases official technical details. For verified automotive news, future truck updates, and in-depth analysis, explore our latest articles and bookmark this website to stay informed.
