2007 Dodge Dakota: Road Test
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2007 Dodge Dakota ▼
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- MSRP: $19,235 -$29,585
- Invoice: $17,654 -$26,916
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Our road test for the 2007 Dodge Dakota includes a full evaluation of the 2007 Dodge Dakota from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2007 Dodge Dakota, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2007 Dodge Dakota help you decide if a 2007 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 | 5 |
No opportunity to test Dakota with 260-hp V8. Dakotas with 230-hp V8 have good power with either transmission, but lack the expected passing reserves. V6 Dakotas and Raiders underpowered for anything but daily commuting and light loads. Note that Raider no longer offers a V8 engine. Towing capacity ranges from 3150 to 7150 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 | 3.7 |
No opportunity to measure Dakota or Raider with V6. Test 4WD Dakota Quad Cabs with 230-hp V8 and automatic transmission averaged 11.6-13.4 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 | 4.6 |
Smooth and composed in any configuration. Dakota and Raider suffer 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 Dakotas and Raiders had 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 | 4.5 |
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 | 5.9 |
Dakota and Raider share their dashboard design. 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 | 5.3 |
Spacious cabin has plenty of head and leg room. Note that Raiders only offer a front bench. Dakota Quad Cab's available front bench seat will accommodate three occupants 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 | 2.9 |
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 because leg room is scarce.
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 | 4.1 |
Ample center-console and door-pocket storage. Folding rear seat adds 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 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Dakota earns Recommended status for its refinement, available all-wheel drive, and curtain side airbags. It's 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. There's little reason to consider the Mitsubishi Raider built from this design; it doesn't offer a V8, AWD, or curtain side airbags.
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 | 46 | 53 | 53 | 45.9 |
Total Score: 49
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks
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