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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab

Overview

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2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

With aggressive new styling, the mid-size 2008 Dodge Dakota can no longer be mistaken for just a small Ram. Dakota buyers disdain today's bulked-up full-sized pickups and demand a leaner exterior. With little compromise in interior room or workhorse ability, the Dakota delivers a trimmer package that makes it easier to negotiate congested city traffic and crowded parking lots. Yet the Dakota remains roomier and more potent than its smaller-than-full-size competitors. The Dakota comes in six distinct trim levels. Each is available with either aft-hinged rear doors—called Extended Cab—or the four conventional doors of the Crew Cab. All are available with either rear-, conventional four-wheel drive or full-time four-wheel drive. Standard is a capable 210-horsepower V6, while an impressive 302-horsepower V8 is available.

You'll Like This Car If...

Of less-than-full-size pickups the 2008 Dodge Dakota offers the most power and the largest interior. Its optional V8 makes 302 horsepower and gets better fuel mileage than last year's V8. Real truck folks will love the new removable storage bins that stow under the Crew Cab's rear seat.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The Dakota is not a "little" pickup. It's about as big as some full-sized pickups once were. Unlike some other smaller pickups, the Dakota does not offer a budget version with a four-cylinder engine and a single-row cab.

What's Significant About This Car?

A completely restyled front end, a more functional and attractive interior and radical improvements to its optional 4.7-liter V8 highlight changes for the 2008 Dodge Dakota.

Driving the Dakota Crew Cab

Driving Impressions In comparing the 2008 Dodge Dakota to a typical sedan, a sophisticated driver may notice a small amount of rear-axle ride harshness over uneven pavement. Others may feel the Dakota...

rides as well as most cars. And, with a few hundred pounds loaded in the cargo box, there will be little difference between a current sedan and the Dakota. Steering and braking are predictable in response and feel, and the Dakota owner will likely have no complaints about how it rides smoothly down the road and handles responsively around corners. The optional V8 makes easy the sometimes challenging task of passing slow-moving traffic on rural two-lane highways.

Favorite Features

Available V8 Engine

We really like the Dakota's 302-horsepower V8. But most will be more than satisfied with the standard and more practical 210-horsepower V6.

Ride and Handling
The Dakota's ride comfort, even when it's unloaded, is more than capable for a truck and, perhaps surprisingly, essentially as good as many cars.

2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Details

Interior

If you're moving from, say, a fairly recent sedan to a pickup, you'll be hard pressed to find deficiencies in the Dakota. The black-on-white instrument panel is easy to read and the ample storage areas are so numerous that you might find yourself trying to find uses for all of them.

Exterior

No longer will the observant confuse a Dakota with a Ram. Forward of the front-door hinge, the 2008 Dodge Dakota is completely different than either its predecessor or its bigger sibling. While maintaining the aggressive styling that has become a Dodge trademark, the 2008 Dakota is angular where its previous generation was rounded. If you'd like people to think you are driving a Ram, the 2008 Dodge Dakota is not for you.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2008 Dodge Dakota is available in six trim levels and two body styles: The Extended Cab, which has rear-hinged aft doors, and the Crew Cab, which has four conventional doors. Each is available in rear- or four-wheel drive. The ST comes standard with a 210-horsepower V6 coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. SXT standard equipment includes aluminum wheels, cruise control and power windows. The SLT has SIRIUS Satellite Radio standard, while the potent V8 is an option. Under-body skid plates on the off-road-tuned TRX and TRX4 protect the oil pan and transmission from rocks and stumps. The Sport version boasts 18-inch wheels and special interior trim, and the luxury Laramie has a chromed grille and rear bumper.

Optional Equipment

The top option on the 2008 Dodge Dakota is the V8 engine. Two versions of four-wheel-drive are available: The first is a more-traditional system with high- and low-range gear ratios. The other offers full-time four-wheel drive, making the Dakota the only smaller pickup to offer this option. The available MyGIG Multimedia system features, among many other things, a voice-activated navigation system and a 20-gigabyte hard drive to which you can load music, photos and movies (the latter won't play while the truck is moving.). The available cargo box rail with movable tie-down cleats will come in handy when friends need help moving.

Under the Hood

Just to put the 2008 Dodge Dakota's optional 302-horspower 4.7-liter V8 in perspective, compared to last year's V8 (which was also 4.7-liters) it turns out almost a third more horsepower and, with 329 lb.-ft., 13 percent more torque. On top of that, the new V8 gets better fuel mileage and will operate on E85 ethanol-based fuel. The V8 comes fitted only with a five-speed automatic. While it's easy to become infatuated with the Dakota's optional V8, the standard 3.7-liter V6 will provide a rewarding, long-term relationship for most. With 210 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque, it should easily deal with most light-to-moderate trailer-towing and load-hauling duty.

3.7-liter V6
210 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
235 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/20 (manual, 2WD), 15/20 (automatic, 2WD), 15/19 (manual, 4WD), 14/18 (automatic, 4WD)

4.7-liter V8
302 horsepower @ 4600 rpm
329 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 (2WD), 15/21 (4WD)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Dodge Dakota Crew 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

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2008 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.9

Out of 10

Based on 482 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

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 3 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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The 05 Dodge Dakota is a "good" little truck!

By D.A.F. (MD) on Friday, October 12, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 78,250

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "4.7 Magnum powerplant, drives like a car"

Cons: "minor TCCM problems, cloth interior quality"

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

"I purchased my 2005 Dodge Dakota back in June of 2008 during the great gas inflation (when everyone was running away from V8 motors). I understood back then that almost every vehicle on the road required to be fueled (at least once a week or so depending on your driving style and distance). My 2005 Dodge is a secondary vehicle that I use for hauling items and getting around in rough winter weather (snow storms of 2010/2011). Over the last past 4 years I've have had very few issues with it (other than a transfer case problem = $$$.$$). The ride has been consistently smooth (for a pick up truck). The sound system is fair. The performance of the 4.7 liter V8 is great and sounds even better once you add a custom exhaust system (Hemi like sounds). Overall my 2005 Dodge Dakota 4Door 4x4 SLT V8 is a good little truck (and it's still worth only $4,000.00 less than what I paid for it used 4 years ago)!"

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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I wouldn't trade my Dakota for anything!!

By missp (TX) on Tuesday, September 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 70,000

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

Pros: "Everything"

Cons: "Bed barely holds my 4-wheeler and Harley."

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

"I wanted a mid sized truck. So i went to test drive the the two that GMC and Cheverolet has. The Colorado and something. Anyway, i test drove them both and was not impressed at all. I was very dissappointed, but the test drive was bad enough for me to know that the two trucks i had my heart set on was not get it. So that meant more money for a full size. Ouch!!. I was driving out of the lot when i seen this Dodge Dakota 4 door. Went back, got my saleslady, test drove it, loved the price. Made the deal and drove it home that day, I could not believe it. It was roomy, it was smooth, it purred like a kitten. It had 12 miles on it. Just what i was looking for. Five years later, it has 70,000 miles, still runs great and i still love it. Yeah!!!!!"

12 people out of 13 found this review helpful

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See all 482 reviews