After Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger, the 2019 Dodge Dakota should also come back, if we can rely on the latest reports. These days, the competition in the mid-size truck segment is getting tougher, so FCA has decided to enter this resurrected segment as well. At this point, all the reports are unofficial and based on rumors and speculations. Still, the arrival seems pretty likely for many reasons.
One of them is the fact that the company now has a completely prepared architecture, so there is no need for bigger investment in developing a whole new model. Also, these vehicles are getting more popular, as a cheaper alternative to full-size trucks. Therefore, FCA could speed up the whole process and introduce the new model already n the next year.
2019 Dodge Dakota Platform and Specs
In terms of base design characteristics, we have no doubt on Dodge Dakota 2019’s specs. This refers primarily to the platform. As you probably know, the legendary Wrangler has been redesigned recently. Along with the famous SUV, we are about to see a pickup derivate. It will be a mid-size pickup truck, so it seems obvious that the new Dakota will use the same architecture as well. The new Wrangler pickup is still waiting for its launch.
Once it arrives, we will know more details about base specs. According to the latest reports, it will feature a longer wheelbase compared to the SUV version, and the same thing should happen to the 2019 Dodge Dakota. Benefits from the new platform are numerous, starting from the weight saving, improved efficiency etc
How the 2019 Dodge Dakota is going to look like?
This is definitely one of the most interesting questions about the new pickup truck. Last time we saw a model under this name was seven years ago. However, Dodge hasn’t updated its design language too much since those days. Moreover, most of the models from the brand’s lineup feature an outdated styling. The only fresh model is the most iconic one, Ram 1500. The famous full-size truck received a complete overhaul recently and now features a completely new styling, far more attractive than before.
The same aesthetic philosophy should be applied on the new mid-size Dodge Dakota 2019. Of course, with a fine amount of differences that will accentuate each one’s place in the company’s hierarchy. Anyway, count on a variety of body styles and bed sizes in the offer. The new model should come in both single cab and double cab layouts. A slightly stretched version is also possible.
Interior
Another thing that bothers truck enthusiast is the interior design. The new truck is still too far away from serial production and it seems useless to speculate about the cabin layout. Still, we could presume that a lot of inspiration would be taken from the bigger Ram 1500. This model is very fresh and comes with a very upscale, class-leading interior. We could expect from the Dodge Dakota 2019 to follow this trend and come with lots of quality materials and more focus on comfort, compared to other models in the class. This refers not just to quality materials, but on lots of standard equipment as well.
2019 Dodge Dakota Engines
This is no place for surprises in this aspect. The 2019 Dodge Dakota should come with FCA’s familiar engines. Base models should come with a familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, with a max output of 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Also, count on a new, more efficient 2.0-liter turbo inline-four unit, which features a max output of 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. As you can see, it features a quite similar amount of power as the larger V6, but also offers much better fuel economy and overall efficiency. Both engines will come in a pair with a new 8-speed automatic transmission.
For towing enthusiasts, FCA will offer a version with a familiar 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel. This unit comes from Italy, from VM Motori. It is the same unit that powers Grand Cherokee. It features 3.0 liters in displacement and delivers around 260 horses and 442 pound-feet of torque.
Some reports also suggest a hi-performance 2019 Dodge Dakota SRT. We don’t have any detailed information at the moment, but we can presume that this version would come with a V8 engine and a few more upgrades.
2019 Dodge Dakota Release Date and Price
The new mid-size truck still waits for the official confirmation, so it seems useless to speculate about 2019 Dodge Dakota release date until FCA officials come out with some details. On the other side, the price shouldn’t go far away from rivals. This means that base models would cost somewhere between 20.000 and 25.000 dollars. Speaking of the rivals, those would be Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma.
Will the new Fiat Fullback be based on the new Dakota?
Another question that bothers us is the Fullback’s future. The current generation is pretty much a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi L200/Triton. The current generation is on the market for a couple of years but, meanwhile, Japanese manufacture became a part of Renault-Nissan alliance. Therefore, we don’t expect future cooperation between two companies. Naturally, the next generation of the Fiat Fullback should be based on the new Dodge Dakota.