2002 Dodge Dakota: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Dakota is larger than other compact pickups but not quite a full-size truck. It offers a 3-passenger regular cab, 6-passenger 2-dr extended Club Cab, and 6-passenger 4-dr crew cab Quad Cab. Regular and Club Cab have a 6.5-ft cargo bed, Quad Cab a 5.3-ft box. Available engines are a 2.5-liter 4 cyl, 3.9 V6, 4.7 V8, and 5.9 V8. The 2.5 comes only with manual transmission, the 5.9 only with automatic; the other engines use either. Dakota is available with rear-wheel drive, 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement, or 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement; 4x4s include low-range gearing. Rear ABS is standard, 4-wheel ABS optional. Club and Quad Cabs offer a rear-window defroster. Slotting between the base Dakota and uplevel SLT and Sport models for 2002 is a new SXT version that includes popular equipment such as 16-inch wheels and bucket seats. The R/T package for 2WD regular and Club Cabs includes a sport suspension, 17-inch chrome alloy wheels, bucket seats, and distinct trim.

COMPETITION

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.