2005 Dodge Dakota review, specs, price quote

2005 Dodge Dakota

It's difficult for the makers at DaimlerChrysler not to be a little cocky when it comes to the Dakota. It is simply one of the finest pickup trucks on the road, a fact that is echoed with the "Recommend" status appointed by Consumer Guide for 2005.
Here's what all the fuss is about: the all-new 2005 Dodge Dakota is the largest compact/midsize pickup and it has the only available V8 engine in its class. Oh yeah, it also has the best-in-class torque, horsepower and towing.

The 2005 Dodge Dakota is essentially redesigned, making it bigger, stronger and more menacing than its predecessors. And when it comes to pickup trucks, getting bigger and stronger is always a good thing.

Available Models
The 2005 Dodge Dakota is offered in three model trims: ST, SLT and Laramie. It is available in Club Cab and Quad Cab body styles; regular-cab models are no longer available.

Interior Features
An increase in interior space is one of the big improvements to the 2005 Dodge Dakota. The driver's seat tracks on both Quad Cabs and Club Cabs have 8.7 inches of travel to improve comfort.

With rear seats folded, there is 37.1 cubic feet of storage space behind the Quad Cab's front seats, an increase of 7.2 cubic feet.

Top-line Laramie models are generously appointed, with such features as leather upholstery, a 6-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, an Infinity AM/FM radio with an in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 player, a universal garage-door opener and more.

Exterior Features
In addition to being almost 600 lbs heavier, the 2005 Dodge Dakota is also 4 inches longer than before. Club Cabs have a 6.5-foot cargo bed and rear-hinged back doors that do not open independently of the fronts. Quad Cabs have a 5.3-foot bed and four side conventional doors.

Performance
There are two engines offered for 2005; one optional, one standard. A 3.7-liter V6 is the base configuration. It generates up to 210 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 235 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. 6-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission are both offered.

A 4.7-liter Magnum V8 is optional. With 230 horsepower at 4600 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm, it is easily the strongest in the segment. It can be mated to 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.

Dakota is available with 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Both have low-range gearing, but the 4WD setup should not be left engaged on dry pavement. Also available is a rear-wheel drive configuration.

Safety and Security
Safety features include dual front airbags and rear antilock brakes. Curtain side airbags and full antilock brakes are optional.

2005 Dodge Dakota - Vehicle Highlights

Powertrain
Standard 3.7-liter V-6 engine and optional 4.7-liter V-8 engine
Optional 4.7-liter high output V-8 engine—250+ horsepower (new for 2005)
Six-speed manual transmission (new for 2005)
Full-time four-wheel drive transfer case—optional
TOW/HAUL transmission shift mode to improve vehicle performance and fuel economy while minimizing engine noise during trailer towing or heavy-load hauling
Quieter air induction system (new for 2005)
Starter override feature—prevents starter operation if the engine is running, and automatically disengages the starter when the engine reaches operating speed to prevent excessive starter overrun

Chassis
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating—6,010 lbs. (2726 kg)—all models
Coil-over-shock-absorber independent front suspension (new for 2005)
Stronger, more durable hydroformed frame (new for 2005)
Outstanding brake system stopping distance, fade resistance and pedal feel with new disc/drum brake system that weighs 15 pounds (6.8 kg) less than four-wheel disc brakes of comparable performance (new for 2005)
Chrome-clad 17-inch wheels—optional on SLT and Laramie (new for 2005)

Body
Restyled body (new for 2005)
Rear access doors on Club Cab® (new for 2005)
Automatic headlamps (new for 2005)—standard on Laramie
Roll-formed ultra-high-strength steel windshield header (new for 2005)
Ditch weld seam (where the roof meets the aperture) provides a finished appearance without a molding (new for 2005)

Interior Systems
Freshened interior (new for 2005)
Cloth and leather seats available with carbon fiber heating elements (new for 2005)
Rear door map pockets in Club Cab and Quad Cab™ rear door trim panels (new for 2005)
Standard AM/FM stereo radio with CD player(Sales Code REF)
Optional integral six-disc CD changer capable of playing MP3 discs (Sales Code RAQ) (new for 2005)
Powerful audio system—288 watts—optional Infinity® speaker system (new for 2005)
Optional Satellite Digital Audio radio system (new for 2005)
Optional UConnect™ hands-free communications system (new for 2005)
CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol intra-vehicle communications network (new for 2005)

Safety and Security
Multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags with weight-based Occupant Classification
System (OCS) for controlling front passenger airbag deployment (new for 2005)
Available side-curtain air bags for front and rear seats (new for 2005)
Shoulder belts in all rear seating positions, Club Cab and Quad Cab (shoulder belt in center rear seating position of Quad Cab [new for 2005])
Head restraints in rear outboard seating positions that comply with proposed regulation (new for 2005)
Taller front head restraints that comply with proposed regulation (new for 2005)
ntegrated Remote Keyless Entry transmitter and ignition key—optional (new for 2005)
Long-range Remote Keyless Entry transmitter—optional (new for 2005)
Security alarm

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Although New-Cars.com checks with auto manufacturers and their representatives to confirm the accuracy of the data, it makes no guarantee or warranty, either expressed or implied with respect to the data presented here. All specifications, prices and equipment are subject to change without notice.



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2005 Dodge Dakota

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