2010 Dodge Dakota ,Fuel economy registers an estimated 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway for rear-wheel-drive (RWD) models with the 3.7-liter engine, and 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway with the 4.7-liter engine. Four-wheel-drive (4WD) mileage drops slightly to 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway. And when running on E85, RWD mileage drops to 9 mpg city/13 mpg highway, while 4WD mileage comes in at 9 mpg city/12 mpg highway. The Extended Cab Dakota receives an "acceptable" rating for frontal offset testing from the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The 2010 Dodge Dakota gains revised suspension tuning for an improved ride and better handling. Dodge hopes to remedy some of that with the 2010 Dakota. Also receiving high marks are the pickup's innovative rear under-seat storage bins and comfortable seating. As a workhorse, though, the 2010 Dodge Dakota still stands tall.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2010 Dodge Dakota is a midsize pickup truck that is available in either extended or crew cab body styles, each of which has only one bed size. The TRX4 and Laramie models are only available as crew cabs.
Standard features for the ST include 16-inch steel wheels, a dual-position tailgate, foglights, air-conditioning, front bucket seats, a front center console, two rear folding seats (extended cab only), a rear under-seat storage system (crew cab only), cloth upholstery, a tilt steering wheel and a CD player stereo. The Big Horn adds 17-inch alloy wheels, body-colored bumpers and front fascia, full power accessories and cruise control. The Laramie also adds the Big Horn's optional items plus 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior accents, automatic headlights, a bedliner (optional on the Big Horn and TRX4), heated front seats and leather upholstery. The Big Horn and Laramie extended cabs can be equipped with a front bench seat in place of the standard buckets. A 3.7-liter V6 is standard on every 2010 Dodge Dakota, producing 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard on all Dakotas, with four-wheel drive being optional (standard on the TRX4). Fuel economy registers an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined for rear-drive models, while four-wheel-drive mileage drops slightly to 14/15/18 mpg. A five-speed automatic is standard. In performance testing, a 4WD Dakota Laramie crew cab with the V8 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. When properly equipped, a V8 Dakota can tow 7,200 pounds.
Safety
Rear-wheel antilock brakes are standard, while an optional Safety Group provides four-wheel ABS and full-length side curtain airbags. In side-impact tests, the Dakota crew cab without side curtain airbags earned five stars for the protection of both front and rear passengers.
Interior Design and Special Features
In general, pickup trucks aren't expected to have high-quality interiors, but even by this low benchmark, the 2010 Dodge Dakota disappoints. On the upside, the Dakota's interior design is mostly straightforward. The standard bench seats are very comfortable, while the available power seats offer a wealth of adjustability.
The 2010 Dodge Dakota aims for a tough styling take on basic work trucks, and it succeeds-but it's a little institutional.
As a mid-size truck, the Dakota comes in two body lengths: extended and crew cab. Cars.com calls it "the perfect size for many truck consumers; it's not too small or too big."
Cars.com notes that recent restyling leaves behind "hints of the Dodge Rampage concept truck," which gives the Dodge Dakota an "edgier" appearance than previous models.