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2008 Dodge Dakota Full Review
Date Published: 7/16/08
2008 Dodge Dakota Review
The 2008 Dodge Dakota gains more available power and freshened interior and exterior styling. This pickup truck comes in two body styles. Extended Cabs have a 6.5-ft cargo bed and rear-hinged back doors that do not open independently of the fronts. They seat up to five. Quad Cab crew cabs have a 5.3-ft bed, conventional back doors, and seat up to six. Dakota's standard engine is a 210-hp V6. New for '08 is a 302-hp 4.7-liter V8. It replaces V8s of 230 and 260 hp. The V8 comes only with automatic transmission. The V6 comes with manual or automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 7050 lb. Dakota is available with rear-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive. The 4WD system should not be left engaged on dry pavement, but like the AWD system, includes low-range gearing for off-road use.

Available safety features include ABS and curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows. Also available are heated cloth or leather front seats. Mitsubishi sells a version of the Dakota as the Raider.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.

Our Best Buy is the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier.

News
Dakota should see further updates but no fundamental change for the next few years. A makeover on the current platform is said to be on for around model-year 2010. This may include replacement V6 engines designed for greater fuel efficiency, as well as a new 190-hp 4.2-liter diesel V6 being developed by Dodge and engine specialist Cummins.
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2008 Dodge Dakota Road Test
Pros Cons
Trailer-towing capability Acceleration (V6)
Fuel economy
Rear-seat room (Club Cab)
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
3 5 4.9

V8 Dakotas have good power in around-town driving, and adequate highway passing reserves. With either transmission, V6 Dakotas and all Raiders are underpowered for anything but daily commuting and light loads.
Fuel Economy

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
4 4 3.5

In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission extended-cab Dakota with the V6 averaged 20.2 mpg in mostly highway driving. We haven't had an opportunity to measure with the V8. All Dakotas use regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
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 is apparent over broken surfaces.
Steering/Handling/Braking

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
4 4 3.9

Steering has a direct feel and lacks typical truck sloppiness. Body lean is evident in turns, but is well-controlled overall for a pickup. Four-wheel ABS is a worthwhile investment over the standard rear-only arrangement.
Quietness

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
5 6 4.5

Road noise is impressively hushed. Some wind rush is apparent at highway speeds. Well-muted engines sound refined in rapid acceleration, though the V8 is quieter overall.
Controls

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
6 6 5.9

Controls are logically placed and readily accessible. Large gauges are easy to read.
Details

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
4 4 4.7

Interior materials look and feel budget grade. Hard shiny plastic covers most surfaces, and some controls lack a quality feel.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
7 7 5.6

The spacious cabin has plenty of headroom and legroom. The crew cab versions of both Dakota and Raider have an available front bench seat that will accommodate three occupants in a pinch.
Room/Comfort (rear)

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
2 5 2.7

Crew cabs offer three-abreast rear seating, but only two adults will fit comfortably. Headroom and legroom is adequate for adults under 6 ft, but taller riders will want more legroom. Extended cab's available forward-facing jump seats best suit those under 5-ft-3 because legroom is scarce. Extended cab's available Full Swing rear doors open nearly 170 degrees, thereby easing entry and exit, as well as cargo loading.
Cargo Room

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
3 4 3.6

Ample center-console and door-pocket storage. Folding rear seat adds to extended-cab utility.
Value within Class

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
7 8 5.8

This Recommended pick deserves a look 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.
Total Score

4WD Ext. Cab V6, manual 4WD Club Cab V8 Class Average
50 58 49.7
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score
35
Average Score
49
High Score
61
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2008 Dodge Dakota Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 05/02/2008
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
2WD ST Club Cab extended cab $19,805 $18,226 $690
4WD ST Club Cab extended cab $24,055 $22,054 $690
2WD ST Quad Cab crew cab $22,505 $20,674 $690
4WD ST Quad Cab crew cab $25,455 $23,335 $690
2WD Bighorn/Lone Star Club Cab extended cab $21,365 $19,615 $690
4WD Bighorn/Lone Star Club Cab extended cab $25,615 $23,442 $690
2WD Bighorn/Lone Star Quad Cab crew cab $24,010 $22,014 $690
4WD Bighorn/Lone Star Quad Cab crew cab $26,960 $24,674 $690
2WD SLT Club Cab extended cab $24,320 $22,245 $690
4WD SLT Club Cab extended cab $27,270 $24,915 $690
2WD SLT Quad Cab crew cab $26,540 $24,266 $690
4WD SLT Quad Cab crew cab $29,490 $26,926 $690
2WD TRX Club Cab extended cab $24,730 $22,610 $690
4WD TRX Club Cab extended cab $27,915 $25,489 $690
2WD TRX Quad Cab crew cab $26,920 $24,604 $690
4WD TRX Quad Cab crew cab $30,115 $27,482 $690
2WD Sport Club Cab extended cab $25,505 $23,299 $690
4WD Sport Club Cab extended cab $28,430 $25,948 $690
2WD Sport Quad Cab crew cab $26,935 $24,617 $690
4WD Sport Quad Cab crew cab $29,845 $27,242 $690
2WD Laramie Club Cab extended cab $27,115 $24,732 $690
4WD Laramie Club Cab extended cab $30,095 $27,430 $690
2WD Laramie Quad Cab crew cab $28,520 $26,028 $690
4WD Laramie Quad Cab crew cab $31,470 $28,688 $690
Price note: Bighorn/Lone Star requires Bighorn/Lone Star Quick Order Pkg. 22D, 4-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
Model Rebate & Incentives Type Expires
Dakota $1500-$3250 cash back or 0%-5.9% financing. Customer 07/31/08
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
ST
Powertrain
3.7-liter V6 engine, 6-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, rear antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, power steering, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 3-passenger split folding rear seat (Quad Cab), AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, tachometer, rear-hinged rear doors (Club Cab), front-hinged rear doors (Quad Cab), variable-intermittent wipers, carpeting.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear privacy glass, painted bumpers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
4-pin trailer wiring, full-size spare tire, 245/70R16 on/off-road tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
Bighorn/Lone Star adds to ST:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt steering wheel, cruise control, center console, rear jump seats (Club Cab), 3-passenger split folding seat (Quad Cab), power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, cargo-box light, floormats.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
SLT adds to SXT:
Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission (Quad Cab).
Comfort and Convenience Features
6-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, full-swing rear doors (Club Cab), satellite radio, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, compass, universal garage door opener.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, sliding rear window, fog lights, color-keyed bumpers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
TRX adds to SLT:
Powertrain
Limited-slip differential.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Tow hooks, 265/70R16 on/off-road white-letter tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, skid plates.
Sport adds to TRX:
Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
265/65R17 on/off-road tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
Laramie adds to Sport:
Powertrain
4.7-liter V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, Alpine AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 player, steering wheel radio controls, remote engine start, automatic headlights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Bedliner, bright rear bumper.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
265/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Bighorn/Lone Star Quick Order Pkg. 22D
Bighorn/Lone Star
$655
$576
Unique exterior trim, color-keyed bumpers, fog lights, 265/60R18 on/off-road tires. Requires 4-speed automatic transmission.
Convenience Group
Bighorn/Lone Star Club Cab
$360
$317
Bighorn/Lone Star Quad Cab
$265
$233
Satellite radio, full-swing rear doors (Club Cab), sliding rear window.
Extra Security Group
Bighorn/Lone Star, Laramie, SLT, ST, Sport, TRX
$640
$563
Curtain side airbags, front and rear antilock brakes.
Premium Sound Group
SLT/TRX Club Cab
$825
$726
SLT/TRX Club Cab w/automatic transmission, SLT/TRX Quad Cab
$1,010
$889
Sport
$960
$845
Alpine AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote engine start (Club Cab w/automatic transmission, Crew Cab).
Utility Group
Bighorn/Lone Star
$870
$766
Limited-slip differential, special axle ratio, special mirrors, bed utility rails, bedliner, heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling, 7-pin wiring harness, Class IV hitch receiver.
Chrome Edition Group
Bighorn/Lone Star, Laramie, SLT, ST, Sport, TRX
$790
$695
Chrome side steps, chrome fuel filler door, chrome exhaust tip.
Trailer Tow Group
SLT, 2WD TRX, Sport, Laramie
$525
$462
4WD TRX
$345
$304
Special mirrors, heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling, Class IV trailer hitch, 7-pin wiring harness.
Powertrain
Flex-fuel 4.7-liter V8 engine
SLT, TRX, Sport
$985
$867
Requires 5-speed automatic transmission.
4-speed automatic transmission
ST, Bighorn/Lone Star, SLT Club Cab, 4WD TRX Club Cab
$1,135
$999
2WD TRX Club Cab
$1,095
$964
NA w/4.7-liter V8 engine. Std. SLT/TRX Quad Cab, Sport.
5-speed automatic transmission
2WD SLT/TRX Club Cab
$1,210
$1,065
4WD SLT/TRX Club Cab
$1,170
$1,030
Sport, SLT/TRX Quad Cab
$75
$66
Requires 4.7-liter V8 engine.
AWD transfer case
4WD TRX/Sport/Laramie
$395
$348
TRX, Sport require 4.7-liter V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission.
Limited-slip differential
Bighorn/Lone Star, Laramie, SLT, ST, Sport, TRX
$295
$260
Requires automatic transmission or special axle ratio.
Special axle ratio
w/automatic transmission
$40
$35
w/manual transmission
$80
$70
Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
SLT, TRX, Sport
$1,795
$1,580
SLT/TRX/Sport w/Premium Sound Group, Laramie
$1,445
$1,272
Replaces Premium Sound Group and Laramie in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer w/single disc CD/MP3 player.
Power sunroof
SLT/TRX/Sport/Laramie Quad Cab
$850
$748
NA w/Extra Security Group.
Rear defogger
Bighorn/Lone Star, Laramie, SLT, Sport, TRX
$20
$18
Deletes sliding rear window. Bighorn/Lone Star requires Convenience Group. NA ST.
Upgraded cloth upholstery
Bighorn/Lone Star
$665
$585
Includes power driver seat, heated front seats.
Front split bench seat
SLT
$275
$242
Laramie
$245
$216
Front bench seat
TRX
$275
$242
Heated front seats
Bighorn/Lone Star, SLT, TRX, Sport, Laramie
$250
$220
Rear jump seats
ST Club Cab
$300
$264
Requires center console.
Center console
ST Quad Cab
$75
$66
Requires rear jump seats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Chrome side steps
Bighorn/Lone Star, Laramie, SLT, ST, TRX
$525
$462
NA Sport.
Bedliner
SLT, TRX, Sport
$245
$165
Engine-block heater
Bighorn/Lone Star, Laramie, SLT, ST, Sport, TRX
$35
$31
Special paint
Bighorn/Lone Star, Laramie, SLT, ST, Sport, TRX
$150
$132
Premium paint
Bighorn/Lone Star, Laramie, SLT, ST, Sport, TRX
$225
$198
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Black alloy wheels
Sport
$100
$88
Includes 265/60R18 on/off-road tires.
Chrome alloy wheels
SLT
$895
$788
Laramie
$545
$480
Includes 265/60R18 on/off-road tires.
265/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires
SLT
$350
$308
265/60R17 on/off-road white-letter tires
Sport
$100
$88
265/60R18 on/off-road white-letter tires
SLT, Laramie
$100
$88
Requires chrome alloy wheels.
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2008 Dodge Dakota Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Dodge Dakota extended cab Dodge Dakota crew cab
Wheelbase, in. 131.3 131.3
Overall Length, in. 218.5 218.5
Overall Width, in. 71.7 71.7
Overall Height, in. 68.6 68.7
Curb Weight, lbs. 4296 4381
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. -- --
Standard Payload, lbs. 1710 1630
Fuel Capacity, gals. 22.0 22.0
Seating Capacity 5 6
Front Head Room, in. 39.6 39.9
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 41.9 41.9
Rear Head Room, in. 36.5 38.4
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 32.1 36.4
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  sohc V6 sohc V8
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.7 /226 4.7 /287
Horsepower @ rpm. 210 @ 5200 302 @ 4600
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 235 @ 4000 329 @ 3600
Availability Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
   
6-speed manual 16/20 --/--
4-speed automatic 15/20 --/--
5-speed automatic --/-- 16/22
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Dodge Dakota extended cab Dodge Dakota crew cab
4WD Rollover 4 4
Front Impact, Driver 5 5
Front Impact, Passenger 5 5
Rollover Resistance 4 4
Side Impact, Driver 5 5
Side Impact, Rear Passenger NA 5
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain Lifetime/-- --
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/100,000 --
Free roadside assistance 3/36,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: USA
Drivewheels: all-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
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