2009 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 Pickup Truck

The 2009 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a 4-door, up to 6-passenger compact pickup, available in 3 trims, making 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 2009 Dakota Crew Cab 4X2 is a carryover from 2008.

2009 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Lone Star

This truck is very well equipped, including heavy-duty suspension and trailer towing equipment.

Despite the photo, the truck we tested was a Crew Cab Dakota with the Lone Star package, essentially a Dodge Dakota SXT with a couple of "Lone Star" badges for Texas bragging rights. (Dodge actually did this to a Dodge sedan back in the mid-1950s, selling a "Dodge Texan," though nobody we talked to outside of Texas believed us when we told them about it.)

What Dodge now calls a "mid-size" truck is about the size large American pickups were ten years ago or less. Still, it offers another option for those who need a truck and a family car as well, and the Dakota as tested is a great deal less expensive than the big trucks we've tested. It does, of course, have less equipment on it as well: no four-wheel drive, no leather seats and no DVD player in back, for instance.

On the other hand, all of those things are no doubt available for just a bit more money if you just have to have them. But at $29,810, this truck was very well equipped, including heavy-duty suspension, trailer towing equipment, 3.7-liter V6 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, limited slip rear differential, heavy-duty suspension and the usual cruise, tilt, air conditioning, remote keyless entry and remote start, plus the almost mandatory satellite radio system.

In other words, this truck is comfortable, but not pampering; ready for work, but not intended for heavy hauling, which makes it a very good compromise for those who need a truck and a car but can only justify buying one. And, let's face it; a truck makes a better car than a car does a truck.

This is, as the Dakota has always been, a three-quarter-size pickup truck. It's just a bit larger than the small trucks, but just a bit smaller than the really big pickups. And it is really only larger because everything else in its market has gotten larger, a not uncommon trait for vehicles sold in the United States, no matter where they are designed and built.

Well, everything is a compromise, and this is a pretty good one. For starters, you don't need a ladder to get into it, particularly in two-wheel drive configuration. And it's a good bit easier to maneuver in a parking lot or while driving through an area in which the road is under construction. Yet it still has four doors and reasonably comfortable space for three adults in the back seat.

The Dakota Crew Cab is comfortable on the road as well. The four-door configuration and the truck bed at the rear mean the wheelbase is fairly long, improving the ride under most circumstances. There is space for adults in front or in back, and aside from not being able to recline the rear seats they are as comfortable as the fronts.

We question the wisdom of leather seats in a work truck, so we think the cloth seats (treated against both stain and odor) make sense in a multi-purpose vehicle. Visibility is better than in most sedans and coupes, and as the driver and passengers ride a little higher than in cars they have a better view of the road without the Dakota feeling top-heavy.

2009 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 4x2

The 2009 Dakota Crew Cab 4x2 by Dodge.

The 2009 Dakota Crew Cab is suitable for those truck fanatics that like to travel with large group of friends and family. Ultimately it accomodates up to six passengers in the most comfortable fashion. And for 2009 Dodge launches the Dakota Crew Cab with more potential and convenience than ever before.

And depending on the amount of luxury or style you crave for, the Dakota Crew Cab comes in three forms: Bighorn-Lonestar; Laramie; and the ST which comes with a manual transmission.

On account of a 6-cylinder, 3.7L engine you'll achieve up to 210 horsepower to take on any type of terrain. You'll always have the option to upgrade to an 8-cylinder, 4.7-liter engine that achieves up to 302 horsepower in case the standard engine just isn't enough for your high demands for power.

You'll find that the Dakota Crew Cab comes with a standard 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive, however you can always switch to a 4-speed automatic transmission likewise with overdrive.

Additionally due to a fully garnished and completely sturdy exterior the Dakota Crew Cab 4x2 will take you to places you'd otherwise be deprived of. Plus outside you'll find chrome headlamp bezels with chrome trim; a corporate 8.25 rear axle; deep tint sunscreen glass; an exclusive Dakota and Dodge Badge; Dual Position Tailgate; front Stabilizer Bar; front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers; front Door Tinted Glass; a fixed long mast antenna; Halogen Headlamps; and Goodyear Brand Tires.

And regardless of the trim you select each Dakota Crew Cab comes available with driver-friendly and passenger-friendly featurees like bucket seats; advanced multistage front airbags; aid conditioning; driver assist handle; front seat carpet; passenger assist handles; passenger side sun visors with mirrors; a rear 60/40 Folding Seat; and a key in ignition and seat belt warning buzzer.

Of course this is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Dakota Crew Cab 4x2. Stay tuned and learn about what each different trim level has to offer.