Among compact pickups two vehicles really stand out: The Dodge Dakota and the Ford Ranger (and clone Mazda Truck). Dakota is the only one to offer a V8 engine, full-time 4WD, 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 choice to the Toyota Tacoma. It's every bit as good as the Ranger in daily use, just a tad more expensive.

After spurting 23 percent in calendar 2000, Dakota sales eased 8 percent in 2001 on a year-to-year basis. Several factors were involved, including, perhaps, buyer wariness in the face of Chrysler Group's current, well-publicized financial troubles. Interestingly, Dodge's full-size Ram line generated more than twice as many sales.

Dakota is being redesigned for 2003 along with the related Durango SUV. Both will ride a new-design frame said to be lighter than the existing chassis but just as strong, if not stronger. The pickup will remain visually similar to the SUV, but both will have a new look taken from the 2001 PowerBox concept wagon. That should mean a high, square hood; low, rounded fenders; and an arched regular-cab roofline. Sources say interior fit-and-finish will be upgraded across the board to improved "perceived quality."

As with the just-redesigned Rams, Dakota should lose its 2-dr extended Club Cab for '03. It may also drop a base 4-cyl engine and the basic 4WD that can't be used on dry pavement. The '03 Durango will reportedly offer a 3.7-liter V6 and 4.7- and 5.7-liter V8s, so the new Dakota should too.