The all-new 2023 Ram Dakota should be out later this year. However, even though the manufacturer gave few details, Ram has now made its new mid-size pickup truck official! RAM says that the mid-size pickup truck market is the brand’s “best chance.” There have already been a lot of rumors about the Dakota model.
The 2022MY doesn’t look like it’s going to happen right now. However, the 2023MY is very likely to happen. A lot of rumors also say that the high-performance SRT version is also in the mix. Dakota was a popular model back in the days and Ram is now reviving this nameplate. Interestingly, many reports predicted Dodge Dakota, but Dakota will definitely arrive under Ram’s badge.
Dakota and Dakota SRT Specs
The upcoming 2023 Ram Dakota will most likely be a body-on-frame pickup truck. There is a chance that it will be built on the same platform as the famous Ram 1500. This would allow it to have a class-exclusive V8 engine. As a bonus, it may also be based on the Jeep Gladiator’s chassis, too. The Dakota could come back in 2022 as a kind of “lifestyle” pickup truck, like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, but it might not be as small. Stellantis already offers such a model in South America.
In Brazil, it’s called the Fiat Toro, but in the rest of Latin America, it’s called the RAM 1000. For now, it looks like the most likely engine is a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine. It could also be possible to choose a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine that makes 260 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. People say that the truck will have a hybrid powertrain as well. Finally, there have been a lot of rumors about the high-performance Dakota SRT.
Ram Dakota Interior Details
The 2023 Ram Dakota model will be based on the Ram 1500, so the cabin will be pretty much the same. This is a good thing because the Ram 1500’s interior is very modern and full of high-tech. We expect admirable comfort with upright materials and a lot of modern stuff. Dakota will surely arrive with a new infotainment system as well as more advanced safety features.
Even if it’s an option, we don’t know if the 12-inch screen will be available. We think this device will be an option on the lower trim levels and standard on the higher ones. The cabin of the Dakota pickup will be roomy and we also expect numerous cab options as well. In the same way that any modern pickup should have a digital instrument cluster, this one should too. We also expect to see a lot of very modern extras, like a sunroof, Wi-Fi, ambient lighting, and leather seats.
Renderings
There will be a lot of things that the 2023 Ram Dakota pickup truck shares with the Ram 1500 model, such as the engine. We’re not surprised, because this is the only logical thing to do. The Dakota, even though it is a smaller pickup, will have a modern look, but we can’t call it unique. Because the Dakota and the Ram 1500 both have the same body lines, the design language is very easy to spot.
When it comes to how they look, some things are almost the same. As soon as you see Dakota’s trapezoidal grille and LED headlights, you know it’s a Ram. The doors and fenders are very different from the Ram 1500. The bumpers, wheels, and colors are a little different, but they’re still easy to recognize. The new LED taillights will be on the back of the new Dakota. However, we are only talking about the rendering images, so we are waiting for the first official details.
2023 Ram Dakota Price and Release Date
The new 2023 Ram Dakota will cost about $26,000. This is just a wild guess, but the price will not exceed $30,000, that’s for sure. The most expensive trim levels will set you back more than $50,000. According to reports, sales will start later in 2022, most likely by the end of the summer.
