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2005 Dodge Dakota 4WD Club Cab Laramie Road Test

Apparently Size Does Matter

The 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup is a little big in the britches to still be considered a compact truck. Sure, its the smallest pickup Dodge presently builds, but at 218.8 inches in length and equipped with four doors, four-wheel drive and a powerful V8, it hardly fits into the compact segment. The only thing longer in its class is the new Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab long box, which pulls the tape to an astounding 221.3 inches.

Along with greater size, 2005 brings the Dakota stylish new sheet metal, improved front and rear suspension, a stronger boxed frame, the availability of full-time all-wheel drive and a significant boost in power thanks to a high-output Magnum V8. My top-of-the-line Laramie tester featured the Club Cab body, which

The 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup is a little big in the britches to still be considered a compact truck. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

is considerably smaller than Dodges four-door Quad Cab. Interestingly though, the two are identical in length, with a smaller box size the trade-off for the Quads larger living space. The Club Cabs cargo box is 6.5 feet in length, versus the Quads compact 5.3 foot-long cargo box.

This years design firms-up the Dakotas soft exterior lines with lines more angular and in line with Dodges current Ram styling characteristics.

I am quite pleased with the Dakotas makeover; like a reality TV-show contestant, it has gone from dowdy to howdy! (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

The remake also pays homage to the Durango SUVs recent restyling, which makes sense given that the Dakota is based on its well-refined platform. I am quite pleased with the Dakotas makeover; like a reality TV-show contestant, it has gone from dowdy to howdy!

The improved looks carry over into the cab as well, where Dodge has drawn from the Durangos gene pool to create an orderly, well-proportioned, appealing dash layout. Large white-backed gauges sit prominently ahead of the driver, next to a satin metal-

Dodge has drawn from the Durangos gene pool to create an orderly, well-proportioned, appealing dash layout. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

trimmed center stack housing the audio unit and a straightforward, three-dial HVAC system. Unfortunately, though, the over-use of hard plastic, while functional and easy to maintain, robs the interior of premium status.

Despite this criticism, I found the cab of the Dakota very comfortable and full of conveniences such as forward-facing flip-down rear seats, accessible through a pair of rear-quarter doors. Although these seats are not intended for long distance travel - at least I hope not - they are useful to cart children short distances when necessary. In their stowed position, plenty of cargo space

I found the cab of the Dakota very comfortable and full of conveniences. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

opens up behind the Dakotas front seats. Adding to Dakotas ability to accommodate things big and small is a tremendously deep console storage bin and large bins in the base of each door.

Because my tester was the fully loaded Laramie edition, it spoiled me with heated power- adjustable leather seats, a six-disc in-dash CD audio unit and many other amenities. Regardless of bell-and-whistle content, the Dakota will also spoil occupants with a remarkably smooth, well-controlled ride, attributable to the rigidity of its all-new, fully boxed hydro-formed frame onto which a revised, independent, front coil-over-shock suspension setup is hung.

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