1996 Dodge Dakota Review Summary & Specs
Base Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup
Bargains loom as the Dakota heads for big changes.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
Overall, the Dodge Dakota is a good, competent truck. But it has the misfortune to
belong to the same family as the Dodge Ram, which is a great truck. And with prices
overlapping, we'd prefer a low-end Ram over a high-end Dakota. Or perhaps a competing
compact.
On the other hand, Dakota transaction prices may be quite different from suggested
retail prices. With a new Dakota due this fall, dealers are likely to be willing to
bargain. The last time we checked, Dodge was offering cash rebates on these models.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Pickups |
| Editor |
Mitch McCullough, Editor-in-Chief |
| Model Lineup |
|
| Engines (standard) |
2.5-liter ohv 4-cyl. |
| Engines (optional) |
175-hp 3.9-liter ohv V6 220-hp 5.2-liter ohv V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
5-speed manual |
| Transmissions (optional) |
4-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
Driver's airbag |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
|
| Basic Warranty |
1 year/12,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Warren, MI; Toledo, OH |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-4A-DODGE |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.4adodge.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$11,075 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Dakota 4x4 Sport V8 |
| Standard Equipment |
AM/FM radio, front air dam, painted grille, rear step bumper, coat hooks, vinyl bench seat, removable tailgate with center stop light |
| Destination Charge |
|
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
5.2-liter V8, 4wd, 4-wheel ABS, 3.90:1 rear axle, limited-slip differential, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, tilt steering, premium cloth bucket seats with console, body-color grille and moldings, fender flares, 15-in. alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, carpeting, AM/FM cassette stereo, tachometer |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Layout |
|
| Price as Tested |
$20,339 |
| Horse Power |
120 @ 5200 |
| Torque |
145 @ 3400 |
| Fuel Economy |
21/25 |
| Wheelbase |
111.9 |
| Length/Width/Height |
195.3/69.4/65.0 |
| Track Front/Rear |
58.5/58.5 |
| Turning Radius |
39.8 |
| Seating Capacity |
2 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.5./58.0/41.8 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Trunk Volume |
|
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
7100 (V8 engine) |
| Front Suspension |
Independent |
| Rear Suspension |
Live axle |
| Ground Clearance |
6.5 |
| Curb Weight |
3042 |
| Stock Tires |
P205/75R-15 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/drum |
| Fuel Capacity |
15.0 |