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2008 Dodge Dakota Review
Biggest, most powerful midsize pickup.
2008 Dakota Review Summary & Specifications
The Dodge Dakota is unique among midsize pickups. Its large size and available rear seat storage system offer plenty of room and utility for a typical family, and its powerful V8 engine makes it quicker and gives it more towing capacity than most competitors. The availability of full-time four-wheel drive and Dodge's new hard drive radio are other plusses that make Dakota worth a look. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Jim McCraw contributed to this report from Dearborn, Michigan, with Kirk Bell reporting from Chicago.
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| Vehicle Category | Pickups |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | Dodge Dakota ST Extended Cab 2WD ($19,435), 4WD ($23,685); ST Crew Cab 2WD ($22,135), 4WD ($25,085); SXT Extended Cab 2WD ($20,995), 4WD ($25,245); SXT Crew Cab 2WD ($23,640), 4WD ($26,590); SLT Extended Cab 2WD ($23,950), 4WD ($26,900); SLT Crew Cab 2WD ($26,170), 4WD ($29,120); TRX Extended Cab 2WD ($24,360); TRX Crew Cab 2WD ($26,550); TRX4 Extended Cab 4WD ($27,545); TRX4 Crew Cab 4WD ($29,745); Sport Extended Cab 2WD ($25,135), 4WD ($28,060); Sport Crew Cab 2WD ($26,565), 4WD ($29,475); Laramie Extended Cab 2WD ($26,745), 4WD ($29,725); and Laramie Crew Cab 2WD ($28,150), 4WD ($31,100) |
| Engines (standard) | 4.7-liter sohc 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 210-hp 3.7-liter sohc 12-valve V6; 302-hp 4.7-liter sohc 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed manual; 4-speed automatic; 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual-stage front airbags, Enhanced Accident Response System, tire-pressure monitor, LATCH-style child-seat anchors,rear-wheel ABS, EBD |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | four-wheel ABS; side-curtain air bags for front and rear seats |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Warren, Michigan |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-4ADODGE |
| Manufacturer URL | www.dodge.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 19135 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Dodge Dakota Laramie V8 Crew Cab 4WD ($31,595) |
| Standard Equipment | leather seats, six way leather power driver's seat; Alpine six-speaker 276-watt premium sound system with six-disc changer and MP3 capability; cruise control; fog lamps; overhead console; leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls; 16-inch aluminum wheels; fog lamps; tilt steering; dual folding rear seats; power windows, locks and mirrors |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | heated seats ($250); bedliner ($245) |
| Destination Charge | 645 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | four-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 31400 |
| Horse Power | 302 @ 4600 |
| Torque | 329 @ 3600 |
| Fuel Economy | 15/21 |
| Wheelbase | 131.3 |
| Length/Width/Height | 218.5/71.7/68.6 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 44.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.9/54.9/41.9 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.4/56.0/36.4 |
| Trunk Volume | 37.1 |
| Payload | 1150 |
| Towing Capacity | 6700 |
| Front Suspension | independent, upper and lower A-arms, coil springs over gas-pressure shocks, link-type anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | live axle, two-state multi-leaf semi-elliptical springs, staggered gas-pressure shocks, link-type anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance | 7.9 |
| Curb Weight | 4859 |
| Stock Tires | P265/70R16 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/drum with rear-wheel ABS |
| Fuel Capacity | 22 |
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