Sources have never been so confident about the 2023 Dodge Dakota. Still, FCA needs to give us some official clues. One thing is sure – the Ram 700 is not coming back to the US. The company will rather use the old nameplate, since many fans are asking about the comeback.
Still, the 2023 Dodge Dakota might be a disappointment. Ford started something new – building a compact pickup truck called Maverick. It is just a matter of time when its rivals are jumping into the same class. General Motors launched Chevrolet S-10 in South America. Dodge Ram trucks definitely need an expansion and the Dakota is the perfect choice.
Rumors and Facts
This truck was in the market for nearly 25 years. It is a long run that reached the end in 2011. One of the main reasons was the drop in sales and overall interest in compact trucks. Well, the entire segment was wiped out and even mid-size pickups were on the edge as well. Still, the class survived and now we can see more and more models available at dealerships. Ford brought back Ranger, Jeep is a player again, and Hyundai recently launched Santa Cruz. Definitely, Dodge Ram needs something to go against Tacoma and Colorado, and the 2023 Dakota would be the perfect choice. Since Jeep Gladiator is a mid-size truck, the new arrival might take a slot in the compact segment.
Specs and Towing Capacity
Under the hood of the 2023 Dodge Dakota will be a V6 engine if it is going to take a slot in the mid-size segment. Well, that is not something new, since the old version used a six-cylinder unit as the base powertrain. Optionally, buyers could opt for a V8. Now, the V6 can deliver 310 hp. A turbocharged four-pot unit could be optional for the return edition.
If the 2023 Dakota becomes a small truck, then a naturally-aspirated four-pot engine can do the job. Towing capacity than suffers. With a V6 and a larger body, you can count on 7,000 pounds, at least. A four-banger is not so mighty. A compact truck would be a city vehicle, specialized for the delivery in crowded streets.
2023 Dodge Dakota Release Date and Price
There are no official details about the comeback, but we can find a lot of theories. If the company wants to bring back the 2023 Dodge Dakota, they will have to announce it as soon as possible and start the production by the mid-2022. The price depends on the size and engine capacity. So, we will have to be patient with the news about the Dakota. At the moment, this is one of the biggest things the FCA is working on, alongside Jeep Wrangler Magneto.
The price of the small truck will be around $20,000. We used to see this when the mid-size models are using the base equipment and a weak four-pot unit. If the Dakota becomes a member of the mid-size family, the price will go up, starting probably around $28,000 with a V6. In this case, Dodge and Jeep will have models rivaling each other, like Grand Cherokee and Durango SUVs.