2004 Dodge Dakota: Road Test
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2004 Dodge Dakota ▼
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- MSRP: $17,200 -$24,835
- Invoice: $15,813 -$22,688
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Our road test for the 2004 Dodge Dakota includes a full evaluation of the 2004 Dodge Dakota from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2004 Dodge Dakota, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2004 Dodge Dakota help you decide if a 2004 Dodge Dakota is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 6 | 6 | 4.6 |
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. V6 is fine for medium-duty work, but lacks passing punch. Towing capacity ranges from 1800 lb to 6600 lb.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 4 | 4.1 |
No opportunity to measure with V6. Test 2WD 4.7 V8 Club Cab with automatic transmission averaged 16.0 mpg. Both engines use regular-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 3.6 |
Comfortable, stable with 2WD. Stiffer 4WD versions jiggle noticeably over bumps.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.3 |
Typical for pickups: fair cornering lean, modest grip. Available 4-wheel disc brakes an improvement over disc/drum setup, providing better pedal feel and sustained performance in repeated stops. Four-wheel ABS a worthwhile option over rear-only arrangement.
QUIETNESS
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 3.5 |
Considerable wind noise at highway speeds and some tire thrum on coarse surfaces. But test 2WD models were quieter overall than most rival small trucks and even some Dodge cars.
CONTROLS
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Simple, handy. Dashboard-mounted 4WD switch is preferred to floor-mounted lever common on most import compact pickups. Quality of interior materials and assembly competitive with any in class.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 4.1 |
Tight for three adults even with bench seat. Comfortable for two, and roomier than any compact-class rival.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2 | 4 | 1.9 |
Club Cab has child-size bench seat, and lack of even one rear door hinders entry/exit. Quad Cab beats any compact pickup for rear-seat room; even the center position has good comfort. Quad Cab entry/exit easy, with doors that open almost 90 degrees and reasonable 4WD step-in height. Still, tall passengers find their knees against the front seatbacks, and some testers say cushion too low for best comfort.
CARGO ROOM
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 | 3.1 |
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, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 6 |
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 seal its Best Buy credentials.
Total Score
| Reg. cab 4WD, V6 man. | Club Cab 2WD, V6 auto. | Quad Cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 51 | 56 | 40.2 |
Total Score: 49
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks
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