2008 Dodge Dakota vs. Its Competition

2008 Dodge Dakota 2WD Ext Cab ST Open Doors
Martin Padgett Martin Padgett Editorial Director

The mid-size pickup market isn't hotly contested, and excluding the HUMMER H3T, the players are all kind of stale.

The V-8 in the 2008 Dodge Dakota gives it a distinct advantage in power over the five-cylinder Chevy and GMC mid-size twins, as well as the six-cylinder Tacoma, Frontier, and Ridgeline.

However, the imports offer quality and dynamic performance advantages over the Dodge.

New for 2009, only the HUMMER H3T Alpha model offers a V-8, and at nearly $40,000, it's much pricier than the Dodge.

2008 Dodge Dakota 2WD Ext Cab ST Open Doors2008 Dodge Dakota
Browse Used Listings		2008 Honda Ridgeline 4WD Crew Cab RT Open Doors2008 Honda Ridgeline
Browse Used Listings		2008 Nissan Frontier XE2008 Nissan Frontier
Browse Used Listings		2008 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner2008 Toyota Tacoma
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
7.4
Especially with the improved V-8, the 2008 Dodge Dakota can do most of what a full-size truck can while consuming fewer resources in the process.
7.6
The 2008 Honda Ridgeline is a flexible light-duty truck with a plush feel, but it can't tackle all the tasks a full-size truck does well.
7.8
For those of us who don't live on a ranch, the 2008 Nissan Frontier is large enough to haul real people and cargo, but sized for the urban-congestion reality.
7.4
The 2008 Toyota Tacoma covers the basics, at a price that’s lower than full-size trucks.
MSRP From   
$20,470$28,000$16,530$14,280
Gas Mileage   
14 MPG City / 20 MPG Hwy15 MPG City / 20 MPG Hwy14 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy15 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy
Engine   
Gas V6Gas V6Gas 4-cylGas I4
EPA Class   
N/A4WD Pickup TrucksN/AN/A
Style Name   
2WD Ext Cab ST4WD Crew Cab RT2WD King Cab I4 Manual XE2WD Reg I4 MT (SE)
Drivetrain   
Rear Wheel DriveFour Wheel DriveRear Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity   
2543
Passenger Doors   
N/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style   
Extended Cab 6'7" Bed4 Door Crew CabKing CabRegular Cab
Transmission   
Manual w/ODAutomatic w/ODManualManual w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2008 Dodge Dakota vs. 2008 Honda Ridgeline2008 Dodge Dakota vs. 2008 Nissan Frontier2008 Dodge Dakota vs. 2008 Toyota Tacoma