The H3T stands out in this category for its styling and the HUMMER brand's cachet with a certain crowd, but plenty of people are likely to be scared away from that brand's eco-unfriendly image; the H3T is considerably more expensive, too.
The two vehicles in this class with the freshest look are the H3T and the Ridgeline, which received a modest refresh for 2009.
The Colorado is on paper a competitor, but in the real world its powertrains are uncivilized and it feels in a class below the others.
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.
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 2009 Dodge DakotaBrowse Used Listings |  2008 Honda RidgelineBrowse Used Listings |  2008 Nissan FrontierBrowse Used Listings |  2008 Toyota TacomaBrowse Used Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Specs | |||
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If you need most of a full-size pickup's capabilities but want to be able to get into a parking space or carport, consider the 2009 Dodge Dakota with its available V-8. |
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. |
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. |
The 2008 Toyota Tacoma covers the basics, at a price that’s lower than full-size trucks. |
| MSRP From | |||
| $22,560 | $28,000 | $16,530 | $14,280 |
| Gas Mileage | |||
| 14 MPG City / 20 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 20 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||
| Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas 4-cyl | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||
| N/A | 4WD Pickup Trucks | N/A | N/A |
| Style Name | |||
| 2WD Ext Cab ST | 4WD Crew Cab RT | 2WD King Cab I4 Manual XE | 2WD Reg I4 MT (SE) |
| Drivetrain | |||
| Rear Wheel Drive | Four Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||
| 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Passenger Doors | |||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||
| Extended Cab 6'7" Bed | 4 Door Crew Cab | King Cab | Regular Cab |
| Transmission | |||
| Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Manual | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||
| 2009 Dodge Dakota vs. 2008 Honda Ridgeline | 2009 Dodge Dakota vs. 2008 Nissan Frontier | 2009 Dodge Dakota vs. 2008 Toyota Tacoma | |
