Updates on the Ram Dakota 1200
We’ve heard the rumors about Ram entering the mid-size pickup truck segment. We saw the spy shots of the Ram Dakota 1200, but the dream has been dashed in the past. With Jeep breathing new life into the mid-size truck segment, a new market has a lot of potential, and Ram Trucks wants to get in on the game. Back when Ram was still a part of Dodge Ram, a Dodge Dakota was popular back in the day, but it disappeared with many other models in the past decade. With an all-electric Ram 1500 planned for the future, this would be the time to explore smaller pickup trucks.
Information circling the internet has new details about the upcoming Dakota model, but most of it can be called speculation. The build of the Dakota is expected to share the same platform as the Jeep Gladiator while moving in a different direction – more luxury than off-road glory. With the 2022 Jeep Gladiator starting at $36,480 (plus destination fee), the price range is expected to be somewhere between roughly $25-35k. As we get closer to the release date, we’ll know more about what kind of lineup we’re looking at, but if Ram follows its usual pattern, we can expect a Tradesman, SLT, Laramie, and Limited trim.
The Ram truck lineup and Jeep actually share a couple of things in common. Powertrain is one of them. Both come standard with a 3.6-liter V6 optimized with variable valve timing (VVT) for performance and fuel efficiency. Tweaked for the Ram 1500, the power output with eTorque under the hood is 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque.
Then there’s the upcoming electrified lineup to think about. Announced in March 2022, Stellantis shared its Dare Forward 2030 business strategy, as did many competitors that month. With plans to build more than 75 battery-electric vehicle (BEV) models between now and the rest of the decade, Ram will be joining Dodge eMuscle and the first-ever fully electric SUV by Jeep with its own Ram 1500 BEV pickup truck in 2024.
The 2022 Ram 1500 pickup truck gets a fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, we can expect the Ram 1200 will fare better, being smaller in size. Possibly as powerful as the Dodge Durango in its prime, last reported to have a 6,200 to 8,700 pounds towing capacity, the Ram Dakota would fill that gap between work trucks and full-on adventures off-road. Something to cruise in while enjoying an upscale cabin, with the usual spread of convenience features, such as dual-zone automatic temperature control, leather upholstery, the upgraded Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Google Android Audio, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and premium sound system all available features.
We wonder if the RamBox® Cargo Management System will make a return to the Ram 1200 to add some considerable storage space to the exterior of the truck, as well as offer versatility. Consumers can pack these with ice to use as a cooler, use it as storage for tools and equipment for the campsite, or even a 115-volt auxiliary outlet for mobile power. The newest generation of the Ram 1500 blew people away with its many storage options. Just because the Ram 1200 may be the smaller sibling doesn’t mean it shouldn’t offer performance and convenience.
Are you looking forward to the Ram Dakota 1200 midsize pickup truck? Stay informed for more specs and information on available features when you follow us on Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram social media. Keep an eye on available Ram Trucks at Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and find out what all the buzz is about.
