The 2020s have seen a few fallen icons like the Ford Bronco, Chevy Blazer and Toyota Supra make a welcome comeback. Dodge discontinued the Dakota in 2011 before Ram became an independent brand. However, the Dakota continues to enjoy a revered status among many pickup truck enthusiasts, making it a prime candidate for revival. Now, rumors of the Ram Dakota's return have been circulating for a while, and Stellantis intends to introduce a fresh midsize truck into Ram's growing line-up.
Ram debuted with the Ram 1500, which has remained a tremendous success in the full-size truck segment. Ram has revealed the 2024 Rampage for the Brazilian market, but they have not officially announced the Dakota. Reviving the classic Dakota nameplate as a smaller Ram 1500 for the American market will capitalize on its popularity and offer Stellantis a capable entry into the resurging midsize truck segment with increasingly popular rivals like the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Ford Maverick. But, if or when the Dakota finally shows up, it will face off with the newly revitalized 2024 Toyota Tacoma, currently the best-selling midsize pickup. Here's how Ram can ensure the Dakota outclasses the new Toyota Tacoma.
We have assembled a list of ways the speculated Ram Dakota truck can outclass the Toyota Tacoma and added interesting data using information from reputable sources, including Ram Trucks, Motor Trend, EPA, and Consumer Reports.
10 The New Dakota Will Outshine The Tacoma With Enhanced Off-Road Equipment
The all-new Tacoma brings many new goodies with design elements from the bigger Toyota Tundra and Sequoia siblings. Buyers will also have access to eight trims, including the TRD Off-Road and Trailhunter, which come ready for serious trail-hunting expeditions.
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A new Dakota should offer a trim, highly equipped for off-road adventures to usurp the Tacoma. Ram could offer features like superior ground clearance, better approach and departure angles, advanced adaptive suspensions, and specialized tires. Also, basing the Dakota on the Jeep Gladiator platform could give it a competitive edge off the beaten path against the Tacoma.
Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Trim Specs
- 11 inches of Ground clearance
- 33.8-degree approach and 23.5-degree break over, and 25.7 departure angles
- TRD wheels With optional 33-inch tires
- Skid plates
- Rear Locking differential
- Multi-Terrain Select
- Bilstein shocks
9 The New Dakota Should Offer More Powerful Engine Options Than The Tacoma
In light of new emission regulations, Toyota ditches the 3.5-liter V6 engine for the new Tacoma and uses a turbo four-cylinder hybrid engine. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid combines the power of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed transmission, integrating a 48-hp electric motor.
The Tacoma outputs 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, almost doubling the current Tacoma's V6 engine. Ram can grab the lead over Toyota by offering the Dakota with Stellantis' new high-output Hurricane motor as one of the powertrain options. The 3-liter twin-turbo straight-six engine achieves a V8 rivaling output of 510 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.
Range-Topping Engine Specs
Tacoma Pro | |
|---|---|
Engine | i-FORCE MAX 2.4-liter cylinder hybrid |
Power | 326 hp |
Torque | 465 lb-ft |
8 The New Ram Dakota Should Feature A More Spacious Cabin
Full-size pickup trucks, such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, and GMC Sierra, typically provide ample interior space for front and rear passengers, with comfortable seating and generous legroom and headroom. Midsize trucks might have slightly less space than their full-size counterparts, but still provide reasonably spacious cabins.
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Modern midsize trucks have significantly improved cabin design and space utilization, offering comfortable seating and adequate room for passengers. So, through innovative design, the Dakota can provide a more spacious cabin feel with clever storage cubbies and carry-on space inside.
7 The New Dakota Can Beat The Tacoma If It Offers Better Payload Capacity
Several pickup trucks offer clever cargo bed designs that provide innovative and convenient features to enhance storage and functionality. The Honda Ridgeline stands out with its unique dual-action tailgate. It can swing open to the side like a door or fold down like a conventional tailgate, providing easier access to the bed and facilitating loading and unloading.
Ram can offer the Dakota with the optional RamBox cargo management system provided with the Ram 1500. It offers integrated, lockable storage compartments built into the sides of the truck bed. Also, they can try to provide more payload capacity than the 1,685 lbs offered by the Tacoma.
Tacoma Cargo Bed And Payload Figures
Bed Options | 5-foot or 6ft-2-inches |
Maximum Payload Capacity | 1,685 lbs |
Notable Bed Features | Composite bed liner, power-folding tailgate, a deck rail with adjustable tie-down points |
6 The New Dakota Should Offer Better Towing Capacity
The ability of a vehicle to pull or haul a trailer, boat, camper, or other heavy loads is one of the primary purposes for which many people buy a truck. It allows them to transport various types of cargo and use it for work or outdoor recreation. The type of engine of the truck and towing equipment package dictates the size of load a truck can haul. Toyota claims the 2024 Tacoma can tow up to 6,500 lbs with the gas i-Force engine.
The Tacoma falls behind other midsize trucks like the Jeep Gladiator, Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, and the Dakota can capitalize on this by providing class-leading towing capacity.
Midsize Trucks Towing Capacity
2023 Honda Ridgeline | 5,000 lbs |
2023 Nissan Frontier | 6,720 lbs |
2023 Ford Ranger | 7,500 lbs |
2023 Chevy Colorado & GMC Canyon | 7,700 lbs |
2023 Jeep Gladiator | 7,700 lbs |
2024 Toyota Tacoma | 6,500 lbs |
5 The New Dakota Will Surpass The Tacoma With Cutting-Edge Tech Features
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The automotive industry is one of the most progressive in terms of technology, and these advancements have infiltrated every segment, including pickup trucks, which traditionally favored a bare and utilitarian approach. Modern trucks come equipped with a wide range of advanced technology, enhancing convenience, safety, and overall driving experience. The 2024 Tacoma comes standard with many safety and assistive technology like the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. The Dakota could borrow from its Ram 1500 sibling, which features an impressive array of technology and safety features.
Toyota Tacoma Standard Safety Features Which The Dakota Can Improve Upon
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Lane Tracing and Road Sign Assists
- Automatic high beams
- Proactive Driving Assist (optional)
4 The New Dakota Should Offer More Interior Comfort And Luxury
Many people speculate that the Dakota will bring features not offered elsewhere in the midsize truck market but available in the more expensive full-size trucks like the Ram 1500. Ram should offer the Dakota with several trim levels from the basic to off-road focused and range-topping models, providing an unmatched level of luxury that outclasses the GMC Canyon in the segment.
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Toyota will offer the Tacoma with seats that incorporate a shock absorber system to stabilize the driver's view, improve driver focus comfort, and reduce fatigue, which now leaves the ball in Ram's court to do one better.
3 The New Dakota Should Offer A Wider Ranger Of Customization Options
Customization options allow room for tailored functionality, individual style and expression, improved performance, enhanced comfort and convenience and adaptability to changing needs. While the Tacoma has up to eight trim levels and endless customization options, it only offers two powertrain options. Ram has a history of providing many personalization options for their vehicles, and the Dakota could follow suit and beat the Tacoma by offering a wider range of powertrain options, from the frugal to the powerful.
2 The New Dakota Could Beat The Tacoma If It Proves More Fuel Efficient
Toyota's downgrade to inline-four engines will likely improve on the 18 mpg combined from the current V6-powered model with a manual transmission. The new hybrid motor has already seen application in the Lexus RX500h, providing 27 mpg combined, and the Tacoma will return similar figures. This leaves the Dakota with the enormous task of offering better gas mileage on the Tacoma.
The best possible outcome is offering a less powerful but frugal engine option for buyers who aren't too keen on the high performance of a Hurricane motor. For instance, they could deploy a version of the Stellantis 1.6-liter inline-four turbocharged unit that is currently in development.
Midsize Trucks Combined Fuel Economy
2023 GMC Canyon | 22 mpg |
Honda Ridgeline | 21 mpg |
Jeep Gladiator | 24 mpg |
Hyundai Santa Fe | 24 mpg |
1 The New Dakota Should Offer More Competitive Pricing Than The Tacoma
Price is a significant factor for many people when buying cars and can often be a deal-breaker. Midsize trucks have an advantage in this regard, because they offer a more affordable option to their full-size siblings. If Ram manages to offer the Dakota at a competitive starting price point compared to the Tacoma, it could attract customers looking for a capable midsize truck but are conscious of their budget.
Midsize Pickup Truck Starting MSRP
2024 Toyota Tacoma | $28,000 est. |
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe | $28,200 |
2023 Honda Ridgeline | $38,800 |
2023 GMC Canyon | $38,395 |
2023 Jeep Gladiator | $38,305 |
