Acceleration

4WD ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie Club Cab V8	Class Average
3	5	5.1

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 ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie 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. The V8 can also run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel.

Ride Quality

4WD ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie Club Cab V8	Class Average
5	5	4.7

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 ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie 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, though it should really be standard.

Quietness

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

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

Details

4WD ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie Club Cab V8	Class Average
4	4	4.6

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 ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie Club Cab V8	Class Average
7	7	5.7

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 ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie 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 are adequate for adults under six feet, 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 ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie Club Cab V8	Class Average
6	6	3.8

Ample center-console and door-pocket storage. Crate 'N Go and folding rear seats add to these trucks' utility.

Value within Class

4WD ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie Club Cab V8	Class Average
7	8	6.1

This Recommended pick deserves a look for its refinement and "big truck" capability. It's a bit too cumbersome 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 ST Ext. Cab V6, manual	4WD Laramie Club Cab V8	Class Average
53	60	50.5

Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score		40
Average Score		50
High Score		61