It's no secret that big incentives and modern features in full-size pickups have played large roles in the decline of the midsize truck segment, but the aging Dodge Dakota has been hit harder than most small rigs. The Dakota's year-over-year sales in 2008 were down by almost 50 percent. The Ram's little brother needs help to keep it going until Dodge's future "lifestyle" pickup arrives, so for 2010, Dodge is giving the Dakota some shock therapy.
Next year's Dakota receives new front shocks and springs and rear spring assemblies for improved ride and handling. The suspension improvements are welcome additions following the Dakota's last major revision in 2008, which gave it a restyled nose, interior refinements and a new 290-horsepower, 4.7-liter V-8.
The 2010 Dakota also gets a few new colors added to its palette: Bright White, Flame Red and Mango Tango replace Stone White Clear, Detonator Yellow and Sunburst Orange.
Dodge is dropping the Dakota's Getrag six-speed manual transmission that was standard last year with the 3.7-liter V-6, along with that powertrain's 3.21 rear axle. Next year, the 3.7-liter V-6 comes standard only with a four-speed automatic. The 4.7-liter V-8 continues to offer a five-speed automatic.
The 2010 Dodge Dakota hangs onto its best-in-class towing rating of up to 7,250 pounds (extended cab, 2WD, short box, 4.7-liter V-8), an increase of 200 pounds over the 2009 model.
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