Ram Is Planning To Resurrect The 'Dakota' Moniker For Its New Midsize Pickup Truck, And Here's How It Should Be

Side profile shot of a Blue 1989 Dodge Dakota

Published Nov 24, 2022

Joseph has always been interested in cars and automotive history. He can be found driving around town in a rusty police cruiser that he purchased from a city auction. His dream is to one day compete in a demolition derby.

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The departure of the Dodge Dakota from the market in 2011The departure of the Dodge Dakota from the market in 2011 left a gap in the competitive truck market.GM,Toyota,Nissan, andHonda graciously stepped in to fill the space with their mid-size truck offerings.When Ford re-introduced the Ranger in 2019, it was also promoted from the compact truck category into the mid-size segment. Now that everyone's pieces of the pie are getting smaller, how big of a bite can Ram take?

Coming Soon At A Dealership Near You

A new version of the Ram Dakota has been rumored for years. Brand CEO Mike Koval Jr. has said,"We have something we're actively and aggressively looking at". Earlier reports anticipated the arrival of the truck as early as 2020. I’m not sure if you remember, but there was a global event in March 2020 that really messed up a few things. Supply chain issues also continue to hamper every conceivable industry on the planet. Nevertheless, automakers likeFord, Toyota, andAlfa Romeo have managed to launch new models post-Covid.

Among the “Big Three” domestic truckmakers, Dodge/Ram has always managed to thread the needle somewhere between Chevy and Ford’s offerings. The Ram name split from Dodge’s white-knuckling muscle cars in 2009 and established itself as a separate truck-focused division. While Ford’s have the unflashy aura of blue jeans and New Balance sneakers, Chevy’s have always featured more attitude & machismo in its design. Ram is neither boring nor steroidal. While power has always been a focus -the Dakota was the first mid-size pickup to receive a V-8 engine - style is a defining feature of Ram trucks. The silhouette lines have a little more curve, the interiors are a little more shiny, and the chrome is just a little more prominent.

To BEV Or Not To BEV

When it’s finally announced, the powertrain will undoubtedly be the defining feature of the truck. The introduction of the Ford Maverick as a standard hybrid model is what stood out most in press releases.Dodge is introducing electric muscle cars, Jeep offers PHEV options, and Ram itself has offered itsmild hybrid eTorque system since 2019. Will Ram decide that an all-electric pickup truck is the way to go? To cover the most ground, a plug-in hybrid powertrain would be a smart move for Ram. Despite the promising future of electric vehicles, they remain toys of the wealthy.

Jeep’s 4xe models offer the best of the legendary brand's off-road features coupled with an emissions-free driving mode. However, to compete with other vehicles, the Ram will need some impressive specs.The RAV4 Prime currently sets the gold standard for capable PHEVs. While the RAV4’s all-wheel-drive system is no match for the Wrangler or Grand Cherokee’s off-road prowess - it offersfifty-percent more electric range and is priced at over $14,000 less than the Jeep option. If Ram can offer a respectable electric range at a realistic price, it could win over PHEV-leaning buyers.

What Do We Want To See In The Ram Dakota?

Trucks have more bells and whistles nowadays than your grandaddy's truck. The features we’d most like to see on the Ram truck are the ones that highlight its role as a pickup. Ideal options should include…

Intelligent trailer assist technology
Rivian-style Gear Tunnel
Parking assist technology
Modest-sized interior display
Seamless wireless charging and connectivity
Customizable bed/tailgate system

A hybrid system on the Ram would improve its ability to maneuver at low speeds. Toyota’s system makes use of the Tundra’s iForce MAX power to gently direct large loads. Rivian’s space-efficient Gear Tunnel has seeminglyno end to its usefulness. A not-to-big but not-too-small display screen is a better fit for pickup truck drivers who want to see the road, not watch it unfold on their GPS maps. TheUconnect System gets high marks for reviewers who praise its connectivity features. Truck drivers cannot be bothered by glitchy technology. Finally, tailgates are no longer just hinged slabs of metal.Chevrolet’s Multi-Flex Tailgate can Optimus Prime itself into numerous useful positions. A similar system on the Ram, combined with pickup bed power outlet options, would elevate the usefulness of the bed to more than just a beefy, open-air trunk.

A Complicated Past

It’s also possible that the Ram Dakota won’t even be called the Dakota at all.Dakota is a Native American name that has its origins in the Sioux Tribe. The name means “friend” or “ally”.The Jeep brand has faced criticism from native groups who want the brand to drop the “Cherokee” name from their lineup. Chuck Hoskin Jr., the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, was quoted as saying “I think we're in a day and age in this country where it's time for both corporations and team sports to retire the use of Native American names, images, and mascots from their products, team jerseys and sports in general”. The rest of the country, from small towns to big cities, have been wrestling with this issue. Ram could be sympathetic and avoid any potential controversy by retiring the “Dakota” name altogether.

Nice Things Come In Small Packages

There is a chance that the Ram pickup arrives even smaller than we imagined.The Ford Maverick has revived the vitals of the compact pickup truck market. The automaker canbarely keep up with the demand for the new truck. Spurred by the Maverick’s strong sales -Toyota is now considering a small pickup as well. Ram may consider the mid-size market to already be too crowded. A quick entry into the compact truck sphere would give Ram a head start. The Jeep Renegade is the perfect candidate for Ram to rebadge with a pickup bed. Its low price, unique design, and off-road capability could win over new converts to the burgeoning Ram brand.

The Past Was Cooler

This last feature we’re hoping for, we’ll admit, is a pipedream. Dodge briefly sold theDakota as a two-seater convertible option in 1989-1990. While it was never a hot-seller, it is a genuinely gorgeous automobile.If Ram ends up sharing any DNA with the Jeep Gladiator, the soft-top option would be an incredible feature on a lower-priced Ram.Three million pre-orders for theTesla Cybertruck also prove that buyers are willing to take bold chances with vehicle styling. Let’s hope Ram is brave enough to make a statement.