2003 Dodge Dakota: Road Test
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2003 Dodge Dakota ▼
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- MSRP: $16,845 -$26,450
- Invoice: $15,497 -$24,076
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Our road test for the 2003 Dodge Dakota includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Dodge Dakota from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Dodge Dakota, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Dodge Dakota help you decide if a 2003 Dodge Dakota is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4.4 |
Only nonfull-size pickup to offer a V8 and 4WD that can be used on dry pavement. Teamed with the 5-speed automatic, the 4.7 is powerful enough for all but heavy towing. That's where the stronger 5.9 takes over. Peppy V6 is fine for medium-duty work. Towing capacity ranges from 1800 to 6600 lb.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
No opportunity to measure with the V6. Test 2WD 4.7 V8 Club Cab with automatic transmission averaged 16.0 mpg. Test 4WD 5.9 V8 Quad Cab averaged 13.3. All engines use regular-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3.6 |
Comfortable, stable with 2WD. The stiffer 4WD versions jiggle noticeably over bumps.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.4 |
R/T almost sporty-car agile. Other Dakotas are typical pickup: fair cornering lean, modest grip. Newly available 4-wheel disc brakes are an improvement over the disc/drum setup, providing better pedal feel and sustained performance in repeated stops. Four-wheel ABS is a worthwhile option over rear-only arrangement.
QUIETNESS
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3.3 |
Considerable wind noise at highway speeds and tire thrum on coarse surfaces. But test 2WD models were quieter overall than some Dodge cars and rival small trucks.
CONTROLS
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.7 |
Simple and handy. Dakota's dashboard-mounted 4WD switch is preferred to the floor-mounted lever common on most import compact pickups. Assembly and quality of materials is good.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Tight for three adults even with bench seat. But comfortable for two, and roomier than any compact rival.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1.5 |
Club Cab has child-size bench seat, and lack of 3rd door hinders entry/exit. Quad Cab beats any compact pickup for rear-seat room; even the center position has good comfort. Entry/exit is easy, with doors that open almost 90 degrees and reasonable 4x4 step-in height. Tall passengers will find their knees against the front seatbacks, and some testers say the cushion is too low for best comfort.
CARGO ROOM
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2.7 |
Being larger overall than compact trucks pays off in a bit more behind-the-seat storage space in all cab styles.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6.5 |
Dakota is a good choice if you don't need a big pickup but want more power, space, and towing capacity than a compact. Available V8 power, all-surface 4WD, and Quad Cab versatility cement its Best Buy credentials.
Total Score
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.9 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 51 | 56 | 50 | 39.1 |
Total Score: 49
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks
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