The 2026 NADA Show in Las Vegas marked the unveiling of Stellantis’s long-awaited Ram Dakota, a midsize pickup truck that has been absent from the market since 2011. The Dakota nameplate was first introduced by Dodge in 1987 and served as the brand's midsize offering until its discontinuation. The recent announcement has generated excitement among enthusiasts, who have been clamoring for a return of a midsize Mopar pickup. The new Dakota is expected to arrive in the 2028 model year and will be built at the Toledo Assembly Plant, with an estimated production cost of $400 million. Dealer reactions to the unveiling were overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing confidence in the truck's sales potential. The Dakota is expected to be a fierce competitor in the midsize truck segment, currently dominated by the Toyota Tacoma. While Stellantis has not disclosed powertrain details, Ram boss Tim Kuniskis has confirmed that the truck ...
The 2026 NADA Show in Las Vegas marked the unveiling of Stellantis’s long-awaited Ram Dakota, a midsize pickup truck that has been absent from the market since 2011. The Dakota nameplate was first introduced by Dodge in 1987 and served as the brand’s midsize offering until its discontinuation. The recent announcement has generated excitement among enthusiasts, who have been clamoring for a return of a midsize Mopar pickup. The new Dakota is expected to arrive in the 2028 model year and will be built at the Toledo Assembly Plant, with an estimated production cost of $400 million.
Dealer reactions to the unveiling were overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing confidence in the truck’s sales potential. The Dakota is expected to be a fierce competitor in the midsize truck segment, currently dominated by the Toyota Tacoma. While Stellantis has not disclosed powertrain details, Ram boss Tim Kuniskis has confirmed that the truck will require real towing and payload capabilities, regardless of the powertrain.
Kuniskis emphasized the need for a proper truck with towing and payload capabilities, ruling out a V-8 engine but leaving open the possibility of the Pentastar V-6, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, or Hurricane inline-six. Hybridization is also a possibility, as is the case with the Toyota Tacoma. The Ram Dakota will need to offer everything a truck buyer is looking for, including towing and payload capabilities, to justify its existence as a midsize pickup.
The return of the Dakota has sparked anticipation for a potential SRT off-road model, which could be introduced soon. The recently revived SRT has already proven its capabilities with the Ram 1500 TRX, and a genuine off-road model is not far behind. With the Ram Dakota’s expected arrival in the 2028 model year, enthusiasts can look forward to a new midsize pickup truck that promises to disrupt the segment.
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