Home » Car Reviews » Dodge » Dakota » 2006 Dodge Dakota Compact Pickup Truck
2006 Dodge Dakota Compact Pickup Truck
Not a Winner
New Car Review of the 2006 Dodge Dakota Compact Pickup Truck
Base MSRP Range: $20,340 - $29,790
Base Invoice Range:
Options & Features
Price Quote
New Car Prices
Used Car Prices
Payment Calculator
Rebates & Incentives
Trade In Values
Find A Dealer
Financing
Insurance Rates
Sell Your Car
MSRP As Tested: Not Available.
Versions: ST, SLT, Laramie
Vehicle Category: Compact Pickup Truck
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: 4-Wheel drive, All-Wheel drive and Rear-Wheel drive.
Standard Engine as Tested: 3.7-liter, Single Overhead Cam, 12-valves, V-6, 210 - horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 235 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm.
Transmission: Four-speed automatic, Six-speed manual.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 16/22.
Optional Engine: 4.7-liter, Single Overhead Cam, 16-valves, V-8, 230 - horsepower at 4,600rpm and 290 lb-ft torque at 3,600 rpm.
Transmission: Five-speed automatic, Six-speed manual.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 14/19. 15/20.
Optional High Output Engine: 4.7-liter, Single Overhead Cam, 16-valves, V-8, 260 - horsepower at 5,200, rpm and 310 lb-ft torque at 3,600 rpm.
Transmission: Five-speed automatic.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 14/18.
Standard Safety Features: Dual Front Airbags, Rear Anti-lock Brakes.
Competition: Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, Isuzu i-280 and i-350, Mazda B-Series, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma.
Dodge comes in third after Chevy and Ford in the American truck market. The 2006 Dakota shows us why with sub-par fuel efficiency, poor interior materials and poor acceleration capabilities. However, for towing is ok with the Dakota, which can pull over 7,000 lbs (with available tow package), and the V8 models do have some decent power behind them.
The Dakota comes in two models - The Club Cab and Quad Cab. The Club Cab is an extended cab with hinged rear doors that don't open unless the front doors are open. It features a 6.5-foot bed, and seats up to five (albeit snugly.) The Quad Cab shortens the bed by a little over a foot, but offers four regular doors and seats six.
The ST, SLT, and Laramie badges are available for both models. All engines are 3.7-liter V6s, although larger engines are available - with enticing manufacturer's discounts. Choose from two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.
Prices range from about $20,000 to $30,000. Packages can add up, as Dodge often requires the purchase of one package to buy another, so thousands can add up quickly.
Performance
For a fast truck experience, be prepared to spend a lot more money on modifications for this vehicle, because it's not a speed racer, even with the High-Output 4.7-liter V8. A step down to the available 230-horsepower V8 will find decent power, but passing is a problem nonetheless. The V6 engine is very underpowered for the weight of the truck, meaning the V8 Dakota is a better pick for people who like to cruise and who tow lots of toys.
All versions begin with the standard-across-the-board single overhead cam (SOHC) 3.7-liter V6 engine that boasts 210 horsepower (at 5,200 RPM) and 235 lb.-ft. of torque (at 4,000 RPM). Optional engines start with that SOHC 4.7-liter V8 which offers 230 horses (at 4,600 PRM) and 290 lb.-ft. of torque (at 3,600). The High-Output engine boasts 260 ponies (at 5,200 RPM) and a hefty 310 lb-ft of torque (at 3,600 RPM).
It runs right around $1,600 more and is not available in the ST editions. You'll also need the optional five-speed automatic transmission for the High-Output engine (which runs at $75 more for the Laramie but - ouch - another $1,170 for the SLT).
The transmission for the ST and SLT models is a six-speed manual, although automatic is available. The Laramie offers as standard a four-speed automatic transmission, with a five-speed automatic transmission available.
Gas mileage is atrocious - 16 MPG in the city and 22 on the highway in the V6, and 15/20 in the V8. The High-Output V8 doesn't have a mileage rating, so if fuel efficiency is one of your car requirements, stay as far away from the Dakota as possible.
