What do people want? The new Ram Dakota! What are people getting? The Ram 1500. However, some people in other countries are getting a new compact truck known as the Ram 700 instead. The 700 might mean that the Dakota isn’t happening. 

Will the Ram Dakota make a return? 

Rumors suggested that Ram was building a compact truck. This is pretty exciting since the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are stirring up excitement for the return of smaller trucks. However, the Ram 700 came out instead. 

Instead of reviving the Dodge Dakota, Ram made a subcompact truck for other countries to enjoy. The 2021 Ram 700 isn’t available in the United States or Canada. So, that’s no fun for us! But people in South America get to enjoy it. 

According to Mopar Insiders, the new Ram 700 has a 1.4-liter inline-four cylinder engine with 85 hp and 90 lb-ft of torque. The 1.3-liter inline four-cylinder engine pumps out 99 hp and 94 lb-ft of torque. So, maybe we aren’t missing out. Also, the truck is only available with a five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. 

The positives about this truck include that it has an incredibly durable frame and can handle light off-roading situations. It also has a new 7-inch Unconnect system that can connect to two smartphones at once. 

What about the 2021 Ram Dakota?

According to Car and Driver, you don’t need to give up on your Dodge Dakota dreams yet. While Ram said they were going to build a compact truck, they did. But Ram could still resurrect the Dakota nameplate.

The 2021 Ram Dakota could be a new midsize pickup offered by Ram. This larger truck would compete against the Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger. But why would the FCA make another midsize truck when they offer the Jeep Gladiator? 

To put it simply, Ram models are very different than Jeep models. The Ram 1500 has an incredibly smooth ride, plush interior, and more. The Jeep Gladiator is focused on off-roading and taking the top off. It’s a bit noisier and has a bumpier ride on the pavement. Having another midsize truck to suit different needs would be beneficial.  

What do we know about the 2021 Dakota? 

It’s important to remember that the new Ram Dakota hasn’t been confirmed or denied. But it could happen. The Dodge Dakota was discontinued in 2011 due to the decreasing demand for midsize trucks. Plus, it was prone to problems with the AC, brakes, and more. 

But the 2022 Ram Dakota could fix those issues by becoming a more luxurious option like the larger, Ram 1500. Its most powerful engine option could be the 3.6-liter V6 with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque that’s found in the Jeep Gladiator. Also, the Gladiator has a 3.0-liter V6 diesel option with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. 

It could look like a baby Rebel or TRX truck with a rugged look that includes larger knobby tires, skid plates, and a beefy suspension. The aggressive exterior could be paired with a luxurious interior with sound dampening materials, high-quality soft-touch materials, and convenience features such as heated and ventilated seats. But until we learn more, all we can do is speculate.