The 2024 Ram Dakota Could Surface in March
We’ve been following a few rumors about the Ram Dakota for months. It could come back as a compact truck to battle the Ford Maverick. However, only a few renderings and verbal hints from Stellantis employees have emerged. Now our hopes are up again because we have new 2024 Ram Dakota clues to evaluate.
Updated on 06/16/2023 for freshness.
Is the 2024 Ram Dakota on the way?
Maybe, Stellantis could be working on a new compact truck like the 2024 Ram Dakota to battle the incredibly popular Ford Maverick. But it could also be called the Ram Rampage, like the smaller truck that is about to debut in South America.
Back in March 2023, Mike Koval Jr., Ram CEO, showed a concept truck to dealers to gauge their reaction. If the truck was greeted in a positive way, it could enter production. We can assume things went well, because the Ram Rampage or Dakota keeps being spotted in America.
Also, if the Dakota returns as a midsize truck instead of a compact option, it could fill a void in the industry. Ram currently doesn’t have a truck to fight the Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma. Plus, it may provide a more comfortable and practical option than the Jeep Gladiator.
What do we know about the Dakota and or Rampage?
The official specs and information about the 2024 Ram Dakota or Ram Rampage are still under wraps. However, it could be based on the Ram 1200. There are a few spy shots of the new Ram 1200 floating around, but it’s heavily covered under camouflage.
It’s possible that the Ram Dakota could be a rebadged 1200 model. We don’t have the Ram 1200 in America, but we could enjoy its cousin. It would be similar to how other countries have the Toyota Hilux, and we have the Toyota Tacoma.
Based on the most recent batch of spy shots, the potential Ram Dakota looks like a midsize truck. We can speculate that it rides on the STLA medium platform instead of the large one. Both options support electrification.
But if it’s the Ram Rapamge, it could be based on the Fiat Toro. Also, to be successful, the smaller truck would need enough power to meet American standards. Our emission standards are higher too.
Interestingly, the smaller truck doesn’t match any current Ram models. It has round headlights like the Jeep Commander and Jeep Renegade.
So, are we possibly looking at the new Jeep Renegade truck? There was a Jeep Renegade concept truck at the Easter Jeep Safari back in 2016.
How much power will the 2024 Dakota have?
There are tons of engine possibilities for the potential 2024 Ram Dakota. But we’re interested in the Dodge Hornet’s powertrain. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 265 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
The Dodge Hornet PHEV uses a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an electric motor and a 15.5-kWh battery pack to produce 288 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. It has up to 30 miles of electric range on a single charge, putting it in Ford Maverick Hybrid territory.
However, the Dodge Hornet PHEV can be paired with AWD while the Ford Maverick Hybrid can’t. It would have a capable and sportier advantage.
The Hornet GT starts under $30,000, making it the fastest and most affordable option in the class. Perhaps the Dodge Dakota will use parts from the Renegade and the Hornet to give us an affordable, capable, and practical option.
We will keep an eye out for more clues. Hopefully, we will see either the mid-size Dakota or the compact Rampage by the end of the year.
