Ever get the urge to buy a Dodge Dakota? Do it, and do it soon.
For what many have called “the perfect-sized pickup” is going to be resized to a smaller package.
The 2011 model year will be the last for the Dakota as it is today.
The replacement will be smaller, more efficient and more affordable than the current Dakota, according to Fred Diaz, president of Chrysler’s Ram brand.
The Dakota, like all tough trucks, is of ladder-frame construction. Though not confirmed by Chrysler officials, the 2012 pickup is expected to be a unibody model and built at the Windsor, Ontario, minivan plant. Obviously, it would be for light-duty and recreational use.
I’ve recently driven an impressive-looking 2010 Dakota Laramie Crew Cab two-wheel-drive pickup.
The Dakota is rated a compact truck, though since 2000, when it came out with its crew cab, it has lent the feel of driving a full-sized pickup. That perception diminished only when a big Ram (or F-150 or Silverado) pulled up alongside. The Dakota today is 10 inches longer and 400 pounds heavier than a Toyota Tacoma Double Cab.
Wheelbase of the review model is 131.3 inches. When it was introduced in 1987, the Dakota offered two wheelbases – 111.9 and 123.9 inches. It was restyled and enlarged in 2000 with its Quad Cab (four-door).
The current third-generation, with a bold grille and flared fenders, showed up for the 2005 model year.
Our drives in the ’10 Dakota the past week delivered high fuel-mileage average of 19.8 miles per gallon from its 210-horsepower, 4.7-liter V-6 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. Also available is a 302-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 and 5-speed automatic, which is E85 compatible.
The Dakota’s V-6 is underpowered somewhat in climbing the hills to the west. Attention to gas-charged front shocks and rear springs has improved the truck’s ride and handling. Its towing capacity of 5,550 pounds can go as high as 7,200 when properly equipped and with the V-8 power.
Length of the truck bed, with the crew cab, is only 5-foot-3. An extended-cab model is available and adds a foot more of box length. Handy in the box are built-in cargo rails and tiedown cleats.
The interior, relatively quiet at highway speeds, is roomy like a full-size truck; lots of legroom in the rear seat. Its leather-covered seats are heated in front. Among features are a touch-screen display for navigation and AM/FM/CD and Sirius satellite radio.
Among other options in the truck’s $34,085 sticker price are trailer-tow package, foldaway mirrors, rear-window defroster and 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. Side-curtain airbags and four-wheel antilock disc/drum brakes are safety additions.
Leather-wrapped steering wheel (tilt) is among standard items, along with air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, speed control, remote start, automatic headlamps and full-size spare tire.
Offroad capability
with Grand Vitara
By simply switching a dial on the instrument panel, the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara can be locked into four-wheel drive. Move it another notch and low-range maneuvering is at hand.
Few realize the offroad capability of the nicely styled Grand Vitara. Most of the smaller crossovers offer all-wheel drive.
Complementing its 4wd makeup is an independent suspension and 230-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 and 5-speed automatic transmission. Though lacking strong low-end torque, the powertrain delivers relatively high fuel mileage. I averaged 22.3 miles per gallon in a 60/40 split of highway/city driving.
The Suzuki Limited’s $27,653 sticker price included a Garmin navigation screen that rises from the top of the dash and a power slide and tilt sunroof. It also included side-curtain airbags, keyless entry, fog lamps, leather seats (heated in front), power windows/locks/mirrors and cruise control.
The Grand Vitara can be bought with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine at several thousand dollars less.
Notes from e-mail
Q: Bud, I live six months here in Aurora during the summer and six months in deep south Texas (Mission/McAllen). When I arrived in Aurora this year I looked at the Buick LaCrosse and the Toyota products and when I was shown the 2011 Avalon Ltd., drove it and, of course with the approval of the head of the war department (wife), bought it. Having only 250 miles, I haven’t had a chance to really test it. I began to watch Toyota dealer ads in the paper and on TV, and suddenly I began to wonder if Toyota actually made the Avalon or if it was farmed out to Kia, etc., as all ads, paper or TV show all the Toyota products except the Avalon. It’s as if Toyota suddenly has a stepchild. – J.S.
A: The Avalon, John, as nice a sedan as it is, is the lowest-selling car in the Toyota lineup. In fact, only the FJ Cruiser and Land Cruiser show lower totals among the trucks. Perhaps the Toyota officials would as soon prospective buyers opt for the higher-priced Lexus ES.
2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 2wd
$34,085
(price as tested)
MPG City 15 Highway 20
Vehicle type: Midsize pickup
Wheelbase: 131.3 inches
Length/Width/Height: 218.5/71.7/68.6 inches
Weight: 4,210 pounds
Engine: 3.7-liter V-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Fuel mileage: 19.8 mpg
Fuel tank: 22 gallons
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles basic; 5/100,000 powertrain
Competitors: Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier
Built at: Warren, Mich.
THE STICKER
$30,180 base
$1,445 Touch-screen navigation, audio, Sirius
$640 Side-curtain airbags
$525 Trailer-tow package
$35 Engine block heater
$740 Destination
PLUSES
Big-truck capability
Ram-like styling
Easy entry
Roomy interior
MINUSES
Relatively high price
Fuel mileage
