Among compact pickups two vehicles really stand out: The Dodge Dakota and the Ford Ranger (and clone Mazda B-Series). Dakota is the only one to offer a V8 engine and near-full-size cargo and towing capacity. Ranger is the most refined and probably the best daily use vehicle.

This year we are limiting our Recommended choices to the Toyota Tacoma. It's every bit as good as the Ranger in daily use, just a tad more expensive.

Dakota sales shot up 23 percent in calendar 2000 vs 1999 to near 177,400. That's well ahead of Toyota Tacoma, but still puny spuds against the class-leading Ford Ranger's 330,000-plus.

A new-generation Dakota remains on track for 2003, provided Chrysler Group's current money problems don't force a delay. The related Durango SUV will be redesigned at the same time. Both models share a basic new-design frame said to be lighter than the existing chassis but just as sturdy, if not stronger.

Like Dodge's redesigned 2002 full-size Ram pickup, the next Dakota will likely lose its 2-dr extended Club Cab body. It may also do without a base 4-cyl engine and the regular 4-wheel drive that can't be used on dry surfaces. V8 options should continue as is, but the current 3.9-liter V6 will doubtless be replaced by the new 210-hp 3.7-liter unit available in '02 Rams. Styling is reportedly much like that of the retro-looking 2000 PowerWagon concept pickup, with a high, square hood; low, rounded fenders; and curved regular-cab roofline. Sources say interior fit-and-finish will be upgraded and the dashboard simplified, changes also slated for the '03 Durango.