Review Of 2010 Dodge Dakota Pick Up Truck

Introduction of 2010 Dodge Dakota

The 2010 Dodge Dakota priced at MSRP: $22,755 – $33,180 is a perfect sized pick up truck which is neither too big nor too small. This Dodge edition creates its popular image with its sharp exterior styling, impressive towing and hauling capabilities, and appealing interior accommodations.

What’s on offer?

The 2010 Dodge Dakota receives Tokico shock modules and Arvin springs which assist in improving its performance. Dodge has dropped the six speed manual transmission for the 3.7 liter edition leaving with the option of only a four-speed automatic for the six-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic for the 4.7-liter V-8.

Silhouette

The 2010 Dodge Dakota offers a perceptible different silhouette which is different from its predecessors or its bigger siblings. The new edition looks angular unlike the rounded predecessor. Dodge has managed to maintain the aggressiveness of this edition intact.

The new edition is available in two body styles viz. the extended cab and the crew cab. The extended cab features rear hinged aft doors, while the crew cab has conventional four doors.

Inside the cabin

The 2010 Dodge Dakota has exciting interiors with abundance of storage space. The interiors are dressed in hard plastic that feels hard however, the instrument panel features black on white color scheme which makes it easy to read. The controls and gauges are placed at comfortable places which add convenience to the operator.

There is ample of under seat storage space which makes the cabin spacious and practical.

Overall, good quality material would have been appreciated and would assist in making them self felt in this competitive automotive segment.

Features of 2010 Dodge Dakota

The 2010 Dodge Dakota is available in four trim levels. The standard trim features 17 inch aluminum wheels, cruise control and power windows. The luxury Laramie trim includes heated leather seats, chrome grille, chrome rear bumper, remote start, and premium audio. The TRX4 off road package adds skid plates, off road wheels and tires, and sliding rear window.

The new Dodge edition sports a dual position tail gate that assists as a support for extra long cargo extending beyond its bed size.

2010 Dodge Dakota Powertrain

The 2010 Dodge Dakota is powered by 3.7 liter V6 engine which generates 210 horsepower and 235 pounds feet of torque. The V6 engine is mated with a four speed automatic transmission. This burly engine offers an estimated fuel economy of 15/20 mpg on 2WD and 14/18 mpg on 4WD. When fully equipped it offer a towing capacity of 7,250 pounds.

This edition offers an option of 4.7 liter V8 engine which generates 302 horsepower and 329 pounds feet of torque. This V8 engine is teamed with five speed automatic transmission. The V8 engine offers a fuel economy of 14/19 mpg on 2WD , 14/19 mpg on (4WD, gasoline), 9/13 mpg on (4WD,E85). When fully equipped this edition offers a towing capacity of 5,500 pounds.

This rugged vehicle features Tokico shock modules and Arvin springs which a smooth ride.

2010 Dodge Dakota Safety

The 2010 Dakota Dodge is equipped with seat belt pretensioner, latch child seat anchors, and electronic brake distribution. Full length side curtain airbags, and four wheel antilock brake system are available as optional features.

During the various crash tests that were conducted to check the efficiency of these features it scored five stars for passenger and driver protection in the front a well as rear seats.

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 4X2

MSRP

$25,305 - $30,180

Invoice

$24,078 - $28,514

The 2010 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a 4-door, up to 6-passenger compact pickup, available in 3 trims, ranging... read more from the ST to the LARAMIE.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 210-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a carryover from 2009.

2010 Dodge Dakota

2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab

Trim	Transmission	Drive	Engine	Doors	Seats	Horsepower	Torque@ft-lbs	MPG	Invoice	MSRP
Dakota ST 4X2 Extended Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	4	215@5200	235@4000	15/20	$21,715	$22,755
Dakota ST 4X4 Extended Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	PT 4-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	4	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$25,630	$27,005
Dakota Bighorn / Lonestar 4X2 Extended Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	4	215@5200	235@4000	15/20	$22,502	$23,630
Dakota Bighorn / Lonestar 4X4 Extended Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	PT 4-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	4	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$26,417	$27,880

The 2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab is a 4-door compact pickup that seats up to five passengers. The 2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab is a carryover from 2009.

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab

Trim	Transmission	Drive	Engine	Doors	Seats	Horsepower	Torque@ft-lbs	MPG	Invoice	MSRP
Dakota ST 4X2 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	16/20	$24,090	$25,305
Dakota ST 4x4 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	P/T Four-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$26,805	$28,255
Dakota Bighorn / Lonestar 4X2 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	15/19	$25,008	$26,325
Dakota Bighorn / Lonestar 4x4 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	P/T Four-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$27,723	$29,275
Dakota Laramie 4X2 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	RWD	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	15/20	$28,477	$30,180
Dakota Laramie 4X4 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	P/T Four-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	14/18	$31,237	$33,180
Dakota TRX 4X4 Crew Cab	4-Speed Automatic w/OD	P/T Four-Wheel Drive	3.7L V6	4	5	215@5200	235@4000	14/19	$29,604	$31,365

The 2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab is a 4-door compact pickup that seats up to five passengers. The 2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab is a carryover from 2009.

2010 Dodge Dakota

The 2010 Dodge Dakota gets a slightly revised suspension, but is largely unchanged otherwise. This compact pickup truck comes in two body styles. Extended Cabs have a 6.4-ft cargo bed and rear-hinged back doors that do not open independently of the fronts. They seat up to five. Crew cabs have a 5.3-ft bed, conventional back doors, and seat up to six. Four trim levels are offered: Base ST, mid-level Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas), off-road-ready TRX4, and top-end Laramie. Dakota's standard engine is a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6. It teams with a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 302-hp 4.7-liter V8 is standard on the TRX4 and optional on Big Horn and Laramie. The V8 comes only with a 5-speed automatic. Dakota is available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. The 4WD system should not be left engaged on dry pavement, but it includes low-range gearing for off-road use. Maximum towing capacity is 7250 lb. Available safety features include ABS and curtain side airbags. Also available are heated cloth or leather front seats and Dodge's Crate 'N Go system, which includes collapsible and removable interior storage containers.

2010 Dodge Dakota Receives Shock Therapy

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.