Dodge Ram 1500 2012: Engines and performance

Dodge Ram 1500 2012: Engines and performance. The world of SUVs and pickups has always had a great influence in North America, where everything like how bigger the better. But in recent years this fever for SUVs and SUVs has been expanded and manufacturers leverage to get the most out of this situation. A great example is the manufacturer every time Dodge has some larger vehicles. Now comes the new Ram 1500, an impressive pickup has some giant steps, and a large number of improvements over the predecessor version.

The Dodge Ram 1500 is a model that is sweeping the United States but also wants to convince the public of Europe and that is why the manufacturer is starring specials to facilitate the importation of the model, since it is a vehicle I have yet to be manufactured in our territory. Thus, Europeans wanting to enjoy a great truck with off-road capabilities, find their way a little easier.

What at first was to represent a few minor tweaks to improve the previous version of the Dodge Ram, has become an entirely renovated, with great additions and increased capabilities through the progression of the manufacturer. As we indicated from Dodge, is a model made especially for Americans but with qualities sufficient to convince Europe.

Engines and performance
it’s good that there are these vehicles, given their large size can do much, but it must also have a powerful engine. Dodge has focused on getting good performance.

This has been made for the one hand, with a V6 engine Pentastar 3.6 l able to develop a power 309CV. It becomes more efficient V6 engine, achieving three seconds reducing the acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h over the previous model.

But he has also used a new 5.7 l HEMI V8 engine with an output of 400hp, showing similar performance to the new Ford F-150. Also prominent in this case it’s better performance and improved efficiency.

Whichever engine you choose, we always have an automatic transmission to ensure the highest mechanical assembly operation at all times.

The Dodge Ram 1500 is the smaller version of the Ram range, though still far exceeds the size of any European or Asian pickup. He meets a large number of competitors like the Toyota Hilux 2012, showing a more aggressive approach. But there is none that has as high a performance at a price so affordable. In the U.S. the price of the Ram 1500 is around $ 21,000, in case you want to buy one, the price would not reach 30,000 euros, including imports from North America.

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2011 Dodge Grand Caravan overview

Dodge Grand Caravan In a class of minivan designs that includes the Odyssey's new lightning-bolt sideview and the Sienna's tarted-up swagger—not to mention the Quest's overt Flex cues—the Grand Caravan suddenly seems more boxy than ever. Chrysler's hacked the list of available drivetrains down to one. Minivans are about utility—passengers and cargo—first and foremost, and the Grand Caravan is comfortable to the max. The fold-away second-row seats are a great idea. We've never heard a kid beef about the trade-off of skinny seat cushions, though admittedly the harder-to-remove business-class seats in the Sienna and Odyssey would be the preferred choice for touring adults.

Though not fully redesigned, the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan receives numerous styling, powertrain, suspension and interior revisions.

The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is one such minivan. The Swivel 'n Go seating option is gone, but Stow 'n Go seats return with added strength and comfort. (Other minivans require the manual removal of their second-row seats to achieve maximum cargo capacity.)

If you regularly change your minivan's interior configuration from passenger transport to cargo hauler, the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan beats the competition with Stow 'n Go seats.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The Express model is the entry-level passenger model and features a touring suspension, carpeting, tri-zone air-conditioning, a removable floor-mounted center console, second-row Stow 'n' Go bucket seats, a conversation mirror and a six-speaker audio system. The Mainstreet trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels and power second-row and rear windows, and is eligible for more optional features as well.

The sporty R/T lies at the top of the DGC lineup with performance-tuned suspension, first- and second-row leather seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat and a premium Infiniti sound system.

Available options on select models include a power liftgate, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, running boards, a trailer tow package, rear parking and cross-traffic sensors, blind-spot monitoring, second- and third-row sunshades, a rearview camera, a navigation system with real-time traffic, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a nine-speaker sound system, iPod integration, a rear-seat entertainment system, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

All 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan models are powered by a new 3.6-liter V6 that produces 283 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. Standard safety features for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan include active front head restraints, driver knee airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front-seat side airbags, antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control.

Interior Design and Special Features
The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan's interior represents a significant improvement over its predecessors. Unlike other minivans that require the removal of the middle row of seats to achieve maximum cargo capacity, the Grand Caravan benefits from its Stow 'n Go second-row seats that fold flat into the floor. Luggage space behind the rear seats is a generous 33 cubic feet. Stowing all seats opens up 143.8 cubes, comparable to other minivans.

The multiple mechanical changes make the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan a contender.
The Honda Odyssey took the minivan sales crown in 2008 and 2009, while the Town & Country triumphed last year. Honda would contend that's only because its rival sells so many minivans to fleets, while Chrysler might point out that if you add sales of its nearly identical Grand Caravan to the numbers, it's the minivan leader by a Reagan-esque landslide.

Chrysler finally seems to have adjusted to this reality, making some major upgrades to its minivan lineup for 2011, including a complete overhaul of the engine, suspension and interior. The Grand Caravan's reasonable price only makes it more inviting. To further differentiate the Dodge and Chrysler models, Grand Caravan trim levels have been revamped for 2011, dumping the familiar and long-running SE and SXT models in favor of four new designations: Express ($24,995), Mainstreet ($25,995), Crew ($28,695), and a forthcoming R/T ($30,595).

Inside, the first thing you'll notice is that most of the old Grand Caravan's hard plastic interior parts have been almost entirely excised and replaced by much nicer, softer stuff. The new look is stylish, with a scheme seemingly inspired by the Volkswagen Routan, the minivan Chrysler builds for the German automaker. Chrysler made some changes in the Grand Caravan's seating as well, wrapping them in a new fabric and enlarging the second-row "Stow 'n Go" seats that fold into the floor. The one glaring weakness of the Grand Caravan's cabin is an unfortunate holdover from the old model: Chrysler's Uconnect Media Center, the infotainment system that bundles navigation and audio/video. Chrysler's extensive hardware upgrades start with a new engine, a 3.6-liter "Pentastar" V6. Chrysler should boast too, as this is a great engine. The Grand Caravan doesn't have this technology, but it does feature a new "econ" button on the dashboard to change the transmission shift schedule in an attempt to improve fuel economy. If there's anything untoward in the Grand Caravan's handling, it would be an occasional bout of torque steer, one of the downsides to routing all that power through the front wheels. The steering is taut and responsive, and the Grand Caravan feels firmly planted at all times.

Chrysler would like to see its revamped minivans planted firmly atop the sales charts, and the reworked 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is certainly worthy of that fight.

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2011 Dodge Nitro Reviews

2011 Dodge Nitro’s styling, but they find little else to like about the pugnacious little SUV.
Most affordable compact SUVs are starting to look alike – but not the 2011 Dodge Nitro. Consumer Guide says the 2011 Dodge Nitro “works best as a style statement, trailing most crossovers for drivetrain refinement, rear-seat accommodations, and interior materials."
The Honda Element has boxy styling, a lower starting price and better fuel economy than the Nitro.

Details: Dodge Nitro
For 2011 the Dodge Nitro is little-changed, with the exception of trim names. The Nitro shares much of its construction with the Jeep Liberty.

Despite its tough name, the 2011 Dodge Nitro is surprisingly wimpy. Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available, as are two engines - a 3.7-liter V6 and a 4.0-liter V6.
Pricing: base model should start at about $22,000 MSRP and a little over $21,000 invoice
Fuel economy: auto review articles lambaste the current Nitro for its poor city/highway mileage car ratings of 16/22 mpg, so the 2011 model should improve that number to make the Nitro more competitive in the affordable compact SUV class
Engine: standard engine is 3.7-liter, 210 horsepower V6; 4.0-liter, 260-horsepower V6 optional with Nitro SXT
Acceleration: the standard Nitro has a current 0-60 time of 9.5 seconds, while the rear-wheel-drive 4.0-liter Nitro has a 0-60 time of 7.7 seconds. For 2011, Dodge may up the power of the Nitro, resulting in more competitive acceleration.

Suspension: the live-axle rear suspension on the current Dodge Nitro has received substantial criticism, so changes may be in store for 2011 to give the Nitro a smoother, less trucky ride
Warranty: three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty; five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty

Exterior Features
Until Chrysler releases official photos of the redesigned 2011 Dodge Nitro, we really cannot say too much about what’s in store for the small SUV.

Interior Features
Despite a sprinkling of eye-catching aluminum accents, the overall ambiance of the Nitro's interior is sub-par.

Performance
The 2011 Dodge Nitro will never be mistaken for a high-performance vehicle. There are two parts to the experience of being inside the 2011 Dodge Nitro. The 2011 Dodge Nitro gives car buyers on budgets a decent option; after all, the base model has a starting price of around $22,000. With so many features-packed crossover SUVs on the market today, the 2011 Dodge Nitro is a tough sell.
The 2011 Dodge Nitro has the standard Dodge warranty including a basic warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles; drive train warranty of 5 years or 100,000 miles; roadside assistance of 3 years or 36,000 miles and rust protection warranty of 5 years or 100,000 miles

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2011 Dodge Journey Review

2011 Dodge Journey
Dodge kept the Journey's target audience in mind—those crafty new families who need an "everything" car.

Most of those shortcomings are fixed in the 2011 Journey. The new six-speed automatic's shift quality? Back inside, the Journey's unchanged packaging gets topped with a sprinkling of new features and improved actions. Four adults, or two adults and three or four kids, are happy enough inside the Journey, with flat seats and right-sized head and leg room taking good advantage of the Journey's proportions. On mid-grade-and-up Journeys, the second-row seat slides fore and aft to free up more leg room, and on the same versions, front seats have storage built in beneath the seat cushion, and the center console gets a new tilt-and-slide top. Flip everything down behind the front seats, and you can fit a half-dozen flat-screen TVs in the Journey's 67.6 cubic feet of space.

Standard features include air conditioning; cruise control; power locks/mirrors/windows; a cooled glove box; a telescoping steering wheel; and an AM/FM/CD player with MP3 capability. Options include a not-terribly-intuitive Garmin navigation system; Sirius Satellite Radio, TravelLink and Backseat TV, an on-the-go service with a small selection of kid-friendly programming; a DVD entertainment system; and a premium audio system and uConnect multimedia with MP3 player controls.

2011 Dodge Journey Review
The 2011 Dodge Journey is a crossover vehicle that manages to offer the modern family the best of all worlds. Dodge got the message. The updated interior for 2011 is a vast improvement over previous versions. The 2011 Journey is also great for exactly the nameplate it was dubbed, a journey. Performance and Safety

Older versions of the Dodge Journey weren’t nearly as responsive as drivers would have liked. The 2011 Dodge Journey comes standard with the Pentastar V-6, taking performance and responsiveness up a notch. It has front, rear, and third row head airbags; child seat anchors; dual front side-mounted airbags; rear door child safety locks; and four-wheel ABS. The Dodge Journey gets the insurance industry’s highest rating for all four test categories – frontal offset, side impact, roof strength, and rear crash protection.
To sum it all up, the 2011 Dodge Journey is an affordable crossover that’s perfect for the modern family.

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Dodge Dakota Review

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.

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2011 Dodge Durango

This 2011 Dodge Durango looks and feels nothing like any Durango to have come before it – and that’s no bad thing.Presumably named after the mining town-turned-tourism hub in southwestern Colorado, the Durango is a rear or all-wheel-drive unibody SUV with three rows of seats and a choice of V6 or V8 power. No mere crossover, the Durango puts the majority of its power to the rear wheels, unlike its rivals. In many ways an extended wheelbase version of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Durango shares some of its architecture with the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. At just shy of $50,000, our Durango Citadel AWD wasn’t cheap, but it wasn’t lacking much, either.

Dodge Durango primarily square off against domestic rivals, the Ford Explorer and General Motors’ Lambda platform trio, the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Rendezvous. Mazda Unlike its crossover competitors, the Durango offers traditional SUV grunt and towing capacity thanks to the optional HEMI V8.

For starters, no Durango looks and feels like a base model, unlike some of its rivals. Loaded with swagger, the Dodge Durango is exactly what you might expect from the automaker that also offers the Charger and Challenger. Keep going and the Grand Cherokee channels itself in the rear, where a chrome strip links the tail lights. Way bolder than its Ford and GM rivals, the Durango positively oozes style. Sexist judgments aren’t our thing here, but there’s no denying that the Durango is the man’s family hauler, especially with the chrome 20-inch wheels on the Citadel.

Citadels feature rear seat butt warmers. Unlike some rivals, the Durango’s rear seats are manually-folding, an inconvenience we don’t really find inconvenient. Our Durango was optioned up with the $1,895 HEMI V8, which packs 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft. of torque. V6s are a more palatable 16/22 with all-wheel-drive. The fully independent suspension comes, at least in part, from the Mercedes-Benz parts bin, meaning Chrysler can thank ze Germans for the Durango’s terrific ride control. Add in decently communicative rack and pinion hydraulic power steering (not the electric setup found on rivals) and the Dodge Durango actually becomes mildly entertaining on curvy roads. Speaking of that all-wheel-drive system, the Durango offers a two-sped transfer case but no 4×2 mode. Unlike the versatile Grand Cherokee, the Durango sits fairly low to the ground – we snagged its front lip spoiler on modest hills during our photo shoot. Towing capacity blows away crossovers but doesn’t quite reach the big SUVs at 7,100 lbs.

That’s about halfway between crossovers (the Explorer is rated at 5,000 lbs.) and body-on-frame SUVs (the Tahoe can tug 8,500 lbs.).
Highway cruising is perhaps the Durango’s biggest forte.

The 2011 Dodge Durango Midsize SUVs. If you remember the Dodge Durango as a trucky, subpar family SUV, we’ve got news for you: reviewers say the all-new Durango can keep up with the pack of midsize family SUVs.

Reviewers say the 2011 Dodge Durango, which is all new, changes that. "Dodge's revamped Durango brings style and comfort to the 7-seat crossover segment,” says Consumer Guide. In short, car reviewers agree that the Durango is back, and is better than before.

While the Dodge Durango was on hiatus, the midsize SUV class got more competitive. Inside, reviewers say the Durango matches or exceeds what the competition offers. The Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Durango share a platform and some components. Most reviewers compare the Durango to the 2011 Ford Explorer, another SUV that’s all-new this year. Like the Durango, the Explorer can seat seven, rides smoothly and has a welcoming cabin. Unlike the Durango, the Explorer doesn’t have an available V8 engine.

Details: Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango is all new for 2011. Four trims are available: Express, Crew, Crew Lux and Citadel. The Durango shares much of its architecture with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Like the Grand Cherokee, the new Durango sends outdated, hard-edge plastics to the recycling bin. With an engine lineup whittled to only a 3.6-liter V-6 or the HEMI 5.7-liter V-8, the Durango gets focused on superior powertrain performance, and wins the battles for acceleration, responsiveness and towing capacity. The Durango mates better with the essentially carryover five-speed automatic in the Durango than it does with Chrysler's new six-speed gearboxes. Accompanying the drive are fantastic HEMI drivetrain noises. There's none of the bounding you'd find in a Grand Caravan, which also seats seven—the Durango's heft mutes it out, even without the optional, advanced air suspension of the Grand Cherokee and the GL-Class.

Even from its side profile, the 2011 Dodge Durango looks a lot more passenger-friendly than the version it replaces. With a 119.8-inch wheelbase, the Durango is 75.8 inches wide, and has 84.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. Inside, the Durango is notably comfortable and refined—especially for a vehicle without a luxury badge. The driving position in the Durango is excellent, with a nice, upright vantage point, and the seats are supportive and comfortable. The base Durango Express is priced just below $30,000 and includes a pretty impressive feature set; but Bluetooth is an option and upgrades like power seats, seat heating, push-button start and a power telescoping steering wheel are not offered. A top Citadel model; for about $42,000, bundles almost every option and feature including a sunroof; blind-spot monitors; adaptive cruise control; a Garmin navigation system; and a heated steering wheel.

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2011 Dodge Ram 2500

Last year, Chrysler overhauled the Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups with new exteriors and interiors.
Almost everything above the heavy-duty Ram's frame was freshened, including its aerodynamic exterior and all-new interior, which is shared with the Dodge Ram 1500. A new four-door crew cab with bigger back doors and more rear passenger space replaces the previous, smaller four-door Quad Cab. A new 8-foot cargo box option (a 6-foot-4-inch bed is standard) should make the crew cab Ram HD an attractive choice for fifth-wheel towing.
It's the only Ram HD with a 4.56 rear axle and locking front and rear differentials.
The Laramie Longhorn model is new and the most luxurious Ram truck yet.
Exterior
The front bumper has aggressive stamping. The plastic snap-on rear fenders on previous-generation Ram HDs with dual rear wheels have been replaced with sculpted fenders stamped into the sides of the cargo box.
Interior
The brake controller eliminates the need for an aftermarket kit to control a trailer's electric brakes for improved towing control.
Buyers who tow long distances will appreciate the Ram's seating improvements, which include better ergonomics and comfort. The new Laramie Longhorn is ultra-luxurious. The Laramie Longhorn is equipped with all of the standard equipment found on the top-level Ram Laramie plus navigational radio, remote start, backup camera, front ventilated seats and rear heated seats

Constructed on a strong chassis that's modular in design to allow multiple configurations for cabin size and box length, the heavy-duty Ram dominates the road with forceful exterior styling and your choice of gas-fired or turbo-diesel muscle, designed not only to pull the truck's hefty weight, but also tow incredible loads.
The Ram 2500 configures as a two-door Regular Cab or a four-door in a new-for-2010 Crew Cab design or extended-length Mega Cab, with a truck box in back which measures 230.4-inches or 248.4-inches long, and either rear-wheel two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction format.
HAULING POWER HANDLES A HEAVY WORKLOAD
Regarding powertrains, the Ram 2500 trucks list two powerful engines, with a standard heavy-duty V8 rendition of the fabled HEMI engine design boasting 5.7-liers of displacement and making 383 hp at 5600 rpm and 400 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm. Tow capacity for the Ram 2500 Regular Cab maxes at 13,500 lbs, while the Crew Cab Ram 2500 caps the tow load at 12,650 lbs. and the Mega Cab version runs to 12,850 lbs.
Depending on the truck you pick, the steering systems vary. 4WD Ram 2500 models get a recirculating ball system that yields precise tolerances. The Ram 2500 comes in a total of five trim levels ST, SLT, TRX, Ram Power Wagon and ultra Laramie.
The Ram Power Wagon is not some muscle-bound SUV; rather it's a Ram 2500 truck designed for 4WD forays over rugged terrain. The TRX kit for 2WD and 4WD Ram 2500 models brings a two-tone paint treatment with painted fender flares, painted front and rear bumpers, quad headlamps plus foglamps, tow hooks and skid plates, a limited-slip differential, premium cloth covering front bucket seats, 17-inch aluminum wheels capped by 265/70/17 all-terrain tires, and special badges; TRX (2WD) or TRX4 (4WD).

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2011 Dodge Dakota Overviews

Think the 2011 Dodge Dakota is just your typical truck? First and foremost, you can choose from 3 body styles when you go out shopping for the 2011 Dodge Dakota: regular cab, extended “Club” cab, and the crew “Quad” cab. A sneak peek into the interior of the 2011 Dodge Dakota has also earned its raving reviews. The seating configuration deliver from interior room and seating space with a 40/20/40 split-bench front seats, while the rear passenger can accommodate up to 3 passengers.

There are three engine choices to this model, thus providing consumers more option to pick an engine power to suit your driving needs. Then, there’s Magnum Next Generation 4.7-liter V8 engine that can produce a maximum of 235 horsepower. The 2011 Dodge Dakota is the perfect choice of vehicle for consumers looking to use a powerful vehicle on the road or on all types of terrains.

Truck lovers will be happy to know that the new 2011 Dodge Dakota is now available for purchase. Powerful with the V8 engine option, it is underpowered when it comes with the standard V6 engine.
For the final year of its current design, the 2011 Dodge Dakota compact pickup truck will remain largely the same. The Dakota is offered in two body styles, extended and crew cab. Holding up to 6 passengers, the crew has a 5.3 foot bed and traditional rear doors.

Test Drive
Though the per gallon mileage was the lowest for the Dakota, this model runs on E85 ethanol blended fuel to keep the costs low. The 2011 Dodge Dakota handles and drives better than the typical truck does. There is a feeling of body lean taking the turns, but the new Dakota is still effectively controlled compared to other pickup trucks. As far as overall ride quality is concerned, the 2011 Dodge Dakota's ride is average for a truck. The factory issued Dakota engine is the 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Dakota offers part-time four wheel drive or rear wheel drive. With the V8 engine, the new Dakota boasts a nice 4.7 liter engine and provides 302 horsepower when run at 5,650 RPM's. In such a configuration, it offers a peppy 329 feet pounds of torque when run at 3,950 RPM's. The downside to this mightier engine design is evident in the 14 miles per gallon around town and only 19 miles per gallon on the highway. With this V8 engine, the Dakota provides ample power for in town driving, as well as sufficient pickup for passing on the highway. The V6 engine configuration is another story altogether.

Interior
The new Dodge Dakota's interior is fairly comfortable. The interior noise levels are quieted impressively for a truck. The cabin has plenty of legroom and headroom. The bench-style rear seating of the extended-cab holds two adults comfortably, but three is a little tight. The Crate 'N Go collapsing storage units and folding rear seats add even more room.

Safety
The Dakota is not the most reliable truck. This is especially troubling given its high sticker price when compared to other compact pickup trucks. The Toyota Tacoma is the most popular compact truck, being easier to handle and drive, but the Dakota has far more towing and hauling power. The 2011 Dodge Dakota has its pros and cons both. In the pros category, this is a fairly nice light pickup truck with big truck hauling and towing capabilities for the price, particularly at entry level. Higher end models are pretty pricey for many truck buyers' budgets. The Dodge Dakota is a solid but relatively expensive choice for a compact pickup truck.

Back for another model year while it awaits a date with the retirement home, the Dodge Dakota--Chrysler's mid-size pickup truck--returns for the 2011 model year with very few changes.
Square-jawed and box-tailed, the Dodge mid-size pickup grew plainer and more cheap-looking in the 2008 redo.

The Dakota has more power on tap than poise. Handling, braking and steering are adequate, if a little floaty.
Bigger than the Ford Ranger and GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado, the Dakota stacks up against the Nissan Frontier, the Toyota Tacoma, and the Honda Ridgeline. Two body styles include an extended cab with a cargo area behind rear-hinged rear doors, and a true four-door Crew Cab. In back, the Dakota offers a 6.6-foot bed on extended cab trucks and a 5.3-foot bed on the Crew Cab, and both have built-in utility rails.
The Dakota's safety score should rise this year because of the addition of standard curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes.

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