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Being a smaller guy I've never really been into Big! So Dodge's mid-size pickup, the Dakota, seems darned near perfect to me.
The brilliant red test truck with its lowered fenders and big chrome cross-hair grille was both a looker and a hauler.
Redesigned for the 2005 model year with slight enhancements for 2006, the Dakota is 3.7 inches longer than its predecessor and features a hydro-formed fully boxed frame that makes it lighter, but stronger. In fact, its frame is 8 times more rigid than the previous model.
Combine that with a new coil-over front suspension and power rack-and-pinion steering and you've got a limber handling pickup that's strong.
Not sold? Add in the multiple engine choices.
Dakota comes with a strong 210-horse 3.7-liter V-6, but our test truck upgraded (just $785) to the 230-horse, 4.7-liter V-8. Even those numbers can be misleading though, cause this Magnum V-8 (not a Hemi!), delivers a monstrous 290 foot-pounds of torque. It pulled a fully loaded four-place snowmobile trailer like a champ.
Dodge, which loaned us the truck for last year's snow season, says both the V-6 and V-8 will pull 6,800 pounds. If you need more power there's also a high-output V-8 that cranks 250 horses and has a torque rating of 300.
We logged more than 5,000 miles in AmSnow's Official Truck of the Year, almost all with a trailer in tow, and the pickup never felt like a laggard. It pulled strong up hills and with its on-demand four-wheel-drive, the truck was solid in snow, which we saw plenty of touring the U.P. and as far north as Cochrane, Ont.
But it's not just its pulling ability that makes Dakota a strong choice. It handles well and is extremely comfortable too.
Dodge's suspension, with front and rear stabilizer bars, gives the Dakota a good ride and excellent handling for a pickup. The steering is easy, so you don't have to muscle it around turns, especially when it's loaded down.
The truck turns into corners well too and the four-wheel drive gives it authority in sloppy conditions. This one also upgraded (just $75) from the four-speed to the five-speed automatic transmission, a good move because this was a smooth shifter.
Inside the test truck, which was the upscale Laramie model, there was a two-tone khaki leather interior that fit the truck's character of being sophisticated but workmanlike.
I liked its white-faced gauges with their black numbers and red needles with matte silver dimpled bases and surrounds. That dimpled silver look carries through to the door handles too. There are power windows and door locks, plus power mirrors on the driver's door. Dakota also features automatic lights, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and cruise control buttons on the steering wheel hub.
Dodge drops in a solid stereo too with six Infinity speakers. The system comes with six-disc CD player, MP3 system and good-sized tuning knobs and buttons so it's easy to operate while driving.
The three knobs for climate control are simple and efficient too. Heat came on quickly, something tested in frigid Ontario during a snowmobile romp.
The test truck also featured heated outside mirrors, part of a valuable $525 towing package that included heavy-duty engine cooling, an auxiliary transmission oil cooler, 7-pin wiring harness and more.
In addition, below the climate controls is a knob to adjust the four-wheel-drive, either to engage it, or put it in low for heavy-duty off-road running in mud or snow.
Dakota also gives you plenty of interior storage space for sodas, maps, etc. There are three cup holders between the seats, two adjustable ones by the dash and the other further back. Plus there's a square hole you could use for a juice box, or pens and other taller items like sunglasses or maps. Additionally, there are big map pockets in the doors.
The test truck added two-speed heated seats (cheap at just $250).
Seats themselves were fairly comfortable. We did some major distances in this and were happy with the long-term comfort. The seats are relatively flat, but offer moderate contouring for the back. However, there are power adjustments on the side, which allow you to select the seat height and angle, a big plus on long rides.
The seat back is manually adjusted though, with no lumbar adjustment.
Dakota's rear seat easily holds two folks, so this can be a family pickup. However, the rear seat back is only moderately angled, so could prove less comfortable on a long haul. The back seat provides ample room for multiple suitcases and gear bags if the weather is nasty outside and precludes you using the pickup bed.
Note there's a large handle built into each A-pillar, which helps folks pull themselves aboard the truck, which rides a little higher than normal, since it's four-wheel-drive. But it's not high enough to require a running board.
Overhead are solid visors, but no extenders. In addition there's a compass and trip computer overhead, plus an outside temperature gauge.
Gas mileage? Well, in normal driving it was easily in the 15-16 mpg range, but with a trailer in back that slipped to 12.5-14 mpg, depending on how hilly an area we were in. The EPA says to expect 15 mpg city and 20 highway.
Price? The test truck started at $28,965 and ended at $33,550 with a long list of helpful extras. You can get into a base Dakota ST Quad Cab with two-wheel drive for only $21,060. It has the 3.7-liter V-6. So there's a big range here for you to find what you need at a price that fits.
I've driven larger, more powerful trucks, but for the money, and for being only a midsize truck, the Dakota is a hauling champ and has everything most folks need when pulling sled trailers.
2005 DODGE
DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4X4 LARAMIE
Made in: Warren, Mich.
Engine: 3.7-liter, V-6, 210 hp
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Tow capacity: 6,800 lbs.
MPG: 15/20
Base Price: $28,965
Dealer's Price: $26,364
Delivery: $645
Major Options:
o Trailer tow group (heavy-duty service group and engine cooling, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, power 6X9 fold-away multi-function mirrors, class IV hitch receiver, 750-amp maintenance-free battery, 7-pin wiring harness, heated mirrors), $525
o 4-wheel ABS, $495
o Side airbags, curtains, $495
o 5-speed automatic transmission, $75
o 3.92 ratio axle, $40
o Anti-spin differential axle, $295
o 4.7-liter, (230-horsepower) Magnum V-8, $785
o Sliding rear window, $140
o Heated front seats, $250
o 17-inch aluminum chrome-clad wheels w/on- and off-road tires, $595
o Bedliner, $245
Test vehicle: $33,550
Sources: Dodge, www.kbb.com