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2011 Dodge Dakota Philadelphia

Check Out Our New Dodge Dakota Lineup!

The 2011 Dodge Dakota rolls into a new year with no major changes and for what will likely be its final model year in its current design.  Dodge's midsize pickup gets the corporate 4.7L V8 tuned for 302 hp, which highlights an updating of the Dakota's styling and interior changes that include a new instrument panel, center console, and an optional underseat cargo-management system for the Crew Cab. Other added options include heated bench seats and MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System. Three trim levels are offered: Base ST, mid-level Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas), and top-end Laramie. The off-road-ready TRX4 has been discontinued.  The 2011 Dodge Dakota is the perfect choice of vehicle for consumers looking to use a powerful vehicle on the road or on all types of terrains. This one is equipped with a powerful engine that can hold up, regardless of what your driving requirement is. But with its handsome looks, it will also garner enough attention on the street.

New Dodge Dakota Power

Dakota's standard engine remains a 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. It teams with a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 302-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 is optional on the Big Horn/Lone Star and Laramie. The V8 uses a 5-speed automatic and can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. Dakota is available with rear-wheel drive or part-time four-wheel drive. The 4WD system should not be left engaged on dry pavement, but includes a low-range gear for off-road use. Maximum towing capacity is 4,950 pounds with the V6 and when properly equipped, with the V8, the Dakota boasts best-in-class towing of up to 7,050 pounds. Traditional part-time 4WD is available for all models. It can be set to 2WD, 4WD Low or 4WD High. The 4WD modes are locked, so the truck shouldn't be driven on dry pavement when in 4WD.  A full-time 4WD system with an electronically controlled locking center differential is available on Laramie models. It normally operates in 4WD high that can be driven on dry pavement, and has locking 4WD Low and 4WD High settings.

2011 Dodge Dakota Design

The Dakota features a rugged conventional body-on-frame truck design. This compact pickup truck offers two body styles. Extended Cabs have a 6.4-foot cargo bed and rear-hinged back doors that do not open independently of the fronts. They seat up to 5. Crew cabs have a 5.3-foot bed, conventional rear doors, and seat up to 6. The 2011 Dakota shares its styling themes with the full-size Dodge Ram and Durango SUV. All three share the retro big-rig grille motif and bulging fenders that have become trademarks of the Dodge Truck brand. Still, Dakota boasts sharper, crisper lines and flatter planes than its relatives; and its grille is laid back, not vertical. The front fender lines are deliberately extended halfway along the length of the door. The rear fenders reflect the fronts with bulges that extend all the way to the rear of the truck. The intersection of the front fenders with the multi-element, twin-lens headlamps and raked grille makes the whole design work beautifully.

Inside the '11 Dakota

Available comfort and convenience amenities are impressive. The Dakota is available with leather seats, a six-way power driver's seat, air conditioning, cruise control, storage pockets galore, security system, power locks, power windows and more. Extended Cabs come with a front bench seat split 40/20/40; Crew Cabs come with front bucket seats, with the bench seat as an option. Bucket seats are optional. The available MyGIG Infotainment System has an integrated navigation system and 20-gigabytes of hard drive space to hold music, pictures, and navigation map information. It has voice control, and the nav system has real-time traffic. Crew Cab interiors are roomy, with more than 102 cubic feet of passenger space. The rear seats are deliberately stepped up on their bases so rear-seat occupants can see out more easily, and they are split into 60/40 sections. Rear-seat room is generous for family use, with 37 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seat.

Dodge Dakota Lineup

ST models come standard with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD stereo with audio auxiliary jack, tinted rear windows, front disc/rear drum brakes with rear-wheel anti-lock (ABS), and 16-inch steel wheels. Crew Cabs have split-folding rear seats.

The new mid-level Bighorn/Lonestar trim includes an accent color grille, black headlamp bezel w/chrome trim, convenience group engine: 3.7L V6, full swing rear doors, quick order package, rear sliding windows, remote start system, sentry key theft deterrent system, and a 4-Speed Automatic VLP transmission.

Laramie Extended Cab adds leather upholstery, steering wheel audio controls, premium 276-watt Alpine audio with MP3 capability and 6CD changer, remote starting, automatic headlamps, auto-dimming rearview mirror, body-color front bumper, and chrome bodyside moldings.

Conclusions

Available safety features include ABS, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Other available features include heated cloth or leather front seats and Dodge's Crate 'N Go system, which includes collapsible and removable interior storage containers. Since the complete 2005 redesign, the Dakota was freshened in 2007, including a modern new front fascia. The Dakota has gained a reputation of being an easy truck to live with. Getting in is easy, and the interior is comfortable and convenient, with controls that are easy to reach and operate. The rear doors on Extended Cabs and Crew Cabs open wide, and the Crew Cab can accommodate six people. A new under-seat storage system for Crew Cabs provides useful cargo carrying capacity. The Extended Cab has earned five-star safety ratings in both front and side impact testing by the federal government (NHTSA). For the latest updates, visit the official Dodge Dakota site.