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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2007 Dodge Dakota Club Cab

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Want to save money? Check out the 2006 Dodge Dakota Club Cab

Overview

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2007 Dodge Dakota Club Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

Although dubbed a "mid-sized" pickup by Dodge, the Dakota offers so much interior room, power and cargo space it might was well be a full-size truck. With no rival from Ford or GM, and only a handful of Japanese competitors (none of which can best the Dakota's torque, towing capacity or cabin volume), the Dakota continues to play in a league of its own. A bold exterior inspired by the larger Dodge Ram allows even the base Dakota to stand out in a crowd. Although no Regular Cab model is offered, Club Cab models start below $20,000 and provide enough interior room for four people. In this category, no other competitor offers a V8 engine option, while the Dakota offers a choice of two.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you want or need V8 power, but prefer a pickup with more manageable dimensions than a full-size Ram, the new Dakota is a fine choice. It also just happens to be your only choice.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While the Dakota is definitely a solid truck, it doesn't offer the powertrain refinement and smoothness of the Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier. Also, there is no Regular Cab model available.

What's Significant About This Car?

For 2007, a dual-position tailgate is made standard on all models, as is a retained-power feature. The 4.7-liter V8 is now Flex-Fuel compatible, meaning it can run on either gasoline or E85, and Remote Start is offered for the first time on SLT and Laramie trims.

Driving the Dakota Club Cab

Driving Impressions We drove the Dakota equipped with the regular Magnum V8—not the high-output version—and while it felt strong enough to tow a trailer, we weren't overwhelmed with its power. Out on...

the highway, a nicely tuned suspension delivers a comfortable ride that won't jar any fillings loose nor bounce you into a state of motion sickness.

The Dakota isn't at all unpleasant to wheel around town either, thanks to a responsive accelerator and well-balanced power steering. Pulling quickly out into traffic takes some initial restraint, however, as the rear wheels can tend to break free rather easily if you hit the throttle hard.

Favorite Features

High-Output V8
Delivering 260 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the Dakota's 4.7-liter high-output MPI V8 engine gives mid-size buyers a full-size engine option.

MP3 Capability
We're still waiting for the day that MP3 playback capability is standard on every CD system, but for now we're just happy to have it as an option.

2007 Dodge Dakota Club Cab Details

Interior

The exterior theme of curves and lines carries into the interior of the Dakota, especially the dash. Overall, the passenger area is clean and purposeful and without many surprises—or much color variation. The seats are comfortable, and it's the only truck in its class to offer six-passenger seating with an available bench seat up front. The fold-down rear seats in the Crew Cab model might come in handy in a pinch, but if you ever plan to put people you like back there, you'll definitely want to opt for a Quad Cab model.

Exterior

In 1994, the truck segment was pleasantly surprised by the introduction of the most stylized pickup in recent memory: The Dodge Ram. This style was lifted nearly intact from contemporary big-rigs. The 2007 Dakota continues the same theme, although with a sharper edge. And while the mix of soft curves and sharp lines might not appeal to everyone, the Dakota maintains much-needed visibility in what has become a competitive category. For hauling, the Club Cab cargo bed is six feet, six inches long, and the Quad Cab bed is five feet, four inches. Each measures 45.2 inches between the wheel wells, and has a convenient 17.6-inch wall height that lets you load from the side with ease. The Regular Cab and eight-foot bed option are no longer available.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The entry-level two-wheel-drive Dakota Club Cab has a 3.7-liter V6, six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, cloth bucket seats, dual-position tailgate, front airbags and a four-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system.

Optional Equipment

Available features include the Quad Cab configuration, 4.7-liter Flex-Fuel Magnum V8, 4.7-liter high-output MPI V8, four-wheel drive (shift-on-the-fly or full-time), leather seating, a six-speaker AM/FM/six-CD/MP3 sound system, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, UConnect hands-free communication, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, front bench seat, heated seats, six-way power driver's seat, power sunroof, side-curtain airbags, power door locks and windows, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and a sliding rear window.

Under the Hood

While the Dakota's V6 can certainly handle a loaded cargo bed, those who intend to tow and still merge with freeway traffic are best served by one of the optional V8s.

3.7-liter V6 Magnum
210 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
235 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 (2WD manual), 16/22 (2WD automatic), 16/20 (4WD manual), 15/19 (4WD automatic)

4.7-liter V8 Magnum
230 horsepower @ 4600 rpm
290 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 (2WD manual, Gasoline), 15/20 (2WD automatic, Gasoline), 15/19 (4WD manual, Gasoline), 15/20 (4WD automatic, Gasoline), N/A (2WD manual, E85), N/A (2WD automatic, E85), N/A (4WD automatic, E85).

4.7-liter V8 High-Output MPI
260 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
310 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/18 (2WD), 14/18 (4WD)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Dodge Dakota Club Cab vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2007 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.9

Out of 10

Based on 484 Ratings for the 2005 - 2010 models.

Review this car

Value

8.2/10

Quality

8.2/10
Reliability

8.5/10

Performance

8.2/10
Comfort

8.3/10

Styling

8.5/10

Love this truck

By Dodger (NJ) on Tuesday, June 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 87,800

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Value with great ride."

Cons: "Nothing"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Bought it new in 2006. V8 with 4wd. Only maintenance related repairs. Great truck especially the ride. Great value and have used it often as a homeowner. Drive it daily 60 miles round trip but will never give up the V8. Will buy the Ram 1500 or 2500HD next. Take care of the truck and I should get 200k miles."

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Never want a different truck...

By Daniel (GA) on Saturday, June 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 115,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love my Truck. Its a basic model and great for what I use it for. I want to keep driving it until it explodes. I have never once had any problems with it and it it a reliable fun truck to have that isn't as huge as some of the newer trucks. It gets decent gas mileage for a V8 and it comes in other styles with even more add-ons. I'm trying to find a newer version of this truck if anything. I'm very disappointed that they stopped making them."

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Chrysler Overlooked QC For Quality

By SafetyInspection (UT) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 87,800

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "looks good, comfy, decent cab, lots of addons"

Cons: "cv joints, bearings, coolant system, gas mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"Bought the truck and it was great for the first year I had it then took it in for the inspection for tag renewal and found out it along with many chrysler-dodge machines of this type have issues with ti-rods, coolant systems, and joint leaks. I don't trash my truck offroading so it annoys me that these parts need to be replaced for the second time in 20,000 miles. Thanks Dodge!"

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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My Dakota

By Buckaroo1 (OK) on Saturday, April 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 62,300

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great ride and save on fuel."

Cons: "Only one cup holder and it is in a bad place."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought this Dakota in Sept. 2006 with 6 miles on it. It is the basic model, no power windows or power locks. I have driven on vacations and it is comfortable and rides smooth. The value in the 7 years I have owned it is still half of what I payed for it. I also get about 32 miles to the gallon with it on the highway instead of the predicted 20 highway."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Best Truck We've Ever had!!

By mountain man (VA) on Thursday, February 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 50,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "super bargain, super reliability, drives great"

Cons: "upgrades needed on interior"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Went to look for a car and found this truck on the dealer lot in '07. It was a left over truck from '05 and it was also the last week in Dec of 2007. Sticker was 28K and he sold it to us for 18K on the road to beat the MD inventory tax. WE have never had any real problems mechanically,( did take it in for one service that was covered, but we later found out wasn't needed). After nearly eight years it still runs great and has been the best vehicle we've ever owned. It rides better than our car and our mechanic wants to buy it if we ever sell it. Has always been garaged and looks like new. Maybe Dodge quit selling them because people just don't trade them enough! The only thing that we would see that could make it better is the interior has more plastic and the seats were rather hard, but we just added a cushioned seat cover."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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An Excellent Truck

By J Thompson (TN) on Monday, February 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 103,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I bought this truck brand new. It has been very reliable requiring only routine maintenance. I use this truck for towing, for which I put on some bigger breaks and it pulls my 11,000 lb just fine, and trapping in the fall. Gas mileage is about what you'd expect. 14-15 city and 21 highway. With my trailer that goes down to about 15 on the highway. The interior is great. excellent seats and plenty of features."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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See all 484 reviews