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| © Automobile Magazine Staff 2021 Ram Dakota |
Just a few years ago, the midsize-pickup-truck field was better suited
to archaeologists than automotive enthusiasts, but now General Motors' Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon doppelgängers share the road with Jeep's Gladiator, the returned Ford Ranger, an updated Toyota Tacoma, and soon a Ram Dakota
that might look something like this. Expected to arrive in 2020 for the
2021 model year, the upcoming Dakota might be exactly what you
expect—or it could yet hold some surprises.
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| © Automobile Magazine Staff |
Although details
are still entirely speculative, some baseline expectations are likely to
be met: a body-on-frame structure, a choice of gas or diesel V-6 or gas
turbocharged four-cylinder engines, and a careful job of positioning
around the Gladiator's space in the market. That latter element might be
the trickiest part of the Dakota's development, as Fiat Chrysler
Automobiles won't want its two most profitable brands stepping on each
other's toes.
Given Jeep's position as the off-roadiest brand in the FCA family,
Ram should push the Dakota toward the more realistic, everyday uses most
pickups actually get put to—think something more along the lines of
Honda's Ridgeline, minus the unibody construction and carlike driving
demeanor. (Or, viewed from the other end, plus body-on-frame toughness
and a satisfyingly trucklike driving demeanor.) FCA CEO Mike Manley has
already stated the Gladiator and Dakota will have very different missions.
To that end, the Ram is also likely to offer both single and quad cabs
and both short and long boxes, where the Jeep is only available with
four full doors and a short bed.
Threading the needle with the
Dakota gets even harder when you consider the Ram Classic, the marque's
previous-gen pickup, is still on sale alongside the current Ram 1500. It will continue after the Dakota's launch and was just updated to include a special-edition Warlock model.
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| © Automobile Magazine Staff |
Whatever the Dakota's final form, it's certain to meet a market recently repopulated with very strong competition. But given Ram's distinctive styling, strong powertrain selection, and broad, often brand-loyal fan base among pickup buyers, we're already stocking up on the popcorn.
On Sale: Mid-2020 (est) | Base Price: $25,000 (est)
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