2006 Dodge Dakota: Road Test
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2006 Dodge Dakota ▼
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- MSRP: $20,340 -$29,790
- Invoice: $18,638 -$27,098
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Our road test for the 2006 Dodge Dakota includes a full evaluation of the 2006 Dodge Dakota from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2006 Dodge Dakota, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2006 Dodge Dakota help you decide if a 2006 Dodge Dakota is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4.8 |
No opportunity to test with 260-hp V8. Dakotas, Raiders with 230-hp V8 have good power with either transmission, but lack the expected passing reserves. V6 versions underpowered for anything but daily commuting and light loads. Dakota towing capacity ranges from 3150 to 7150 lb. Raider's towing capacity ranges from 2800 to 6600 lb.
FUEL ECONOMY
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
No opportunity to measure with V6. Test Dakota 4WD Quad Cabs with 230-hp V8 and automatic transmission averaged 11.6-13.4 mpg. Similar Double Cab Raider averaged 14.4 mpg. V6 and 230-hp V8 use regular-grade fuel. Dodge recommends premium for 260-hp V8.
RIDE QUALITY
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.3 |
Smooth and composed in any configuration. Little of the bounding and jiggle typical of the class. Some choppiness over broken surfaces in 4WD models.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.9 |
Steering has direct feel, lacks typical truck sloppiness. Body lean evident in turns, but well-controlled for a pickup. All test trucks wore 17-inch tires. Four-wheel ABS a worthwhile investment over standard rear-only arrangement.
QUIETNESS
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4.4 |
Road noise impressively hushed. Some wind rush at highway speeds. Well-muted engines sound refined in rapid acceleration, though V8s are quieter overall.
CONTROLS
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.8 |
Controls logically placed, readily accessible. Large gauges easy to read. Interior materials look and feel low grade. Hard shiny plastic covers most surfaces, and some controls lack quality feel.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.2 |
Spacious cabin has plenty of head and leg room. Available crew cab front bench seat will accommodate three passengers in a pinch.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 |
Crew cabs offer three-abreast rear seating, but only two adults will fit comfortably. Head and leg room adequate for adults under 6 ft, but taller riders will want more leg room. Extended cab's available forward-facing jump seats best suit those under 5-ft-3, as there's little leg room. No opportunity to test with Club Cab's wider-opening "full-swing" rear doors.
CARGO ROOM
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3.7 |
Ample center-console and door-pocket storage. Folding rear seats add to extended cab utility.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 6.2 |
Dakota and its Mitsubishi Raider cousin impress for their refinement, available all-wheel drive, and curtain side airbags. They're a bit too big for easy daily commuting, but a V8 model is a terrific choice if you tow or do heavy hauling and don't want the bulk of a true large pickup truck. Mitsubishi's warranty coverage is broader than Dodge's, but the Japanese brand is hampered by a spottier dealer network and uncertain resale value. That earns Dakota a Recommended nod.
Total Score
| 2WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Club Cab, V6 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 45 | 52 | 53 | 44.8 |
Total Score: 49
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks
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