2008 DODGE DAKOTA SXT CREW CAB 4X4

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1 2008 DODGE DAKOTA SXT CREW CAB 4X4 The 2008 Dakota gets new exterior body styling and a refreshed interior. The 4.7L V8 has been completely reworked and is now mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Dakota is offered in extended or crew cab models, two- or four-wheel drive and three trim levels. Cab and cargo bed Though entry and exit to the front are easy, you have to be careful not to strike your head on the edge of the roof, which is relatively low. The seats are very comfortable, thanks to good cushion length and seatback height. The driving position is very good. However, the front passenger will find that the wide transmission tunnel crowds their feet, which they ll have to position slightly off-centre towards the right. Though the rear doors open almost 90 degrees to afford easy access to the backseat, getting out is difficult because of a lack of space between the B-pillar and seat cushion. The low, short cushion reduces seating comfort to just average, and legroom is tight. There are no grab bars over the doors. The bench seat is split 60/40, and the cushions fold up to provide more storage space. The 163-cm (5-ft. 4-in.) cargo bed is well designed with several tie-down cleats and slots for horizontal or vertical dividers. Unfortunately, the tailgate does not lock. Convenience and safety features Cabin finish is perfectible, and the quality of materials is disappointing, given the cost of the vehicle. Road noise is very intrusive. There are numerous storage spaces, including a very spacious centre console that compensates somewhat for a glove compartment that can hold the owner s manual and not much more. Strangely enough, the manual makes no mention of the vehicle s towing capacity. To get that, you have to go to the Chrysler website and, of course, have access to a computer and a Web connection.

2 Displays and controls are well laid out. The exception is the windshield wiper control; its position on the turn-signal lever obliges the driver to take their left hand off the wheel to activate the wipers (which do not have a MIST position). Everything is lighted at night except the wheel-mounted cruisecontrol buttons and the glove compartment. The heating system is efficient, but the blower is noisy in second speed and up. Intermediate settings between the different modulation possibilities provide a wider variety of air distribution. It s a feature that is highly appreciated, but one that unfortunately is less and less prevalent. Safety features include dual front airbags (head curtain is optional), four head restraints (which in the back to not adjust high enough to protect tall people) and a rear-wheel antilock braking system. Four-wheel antilock brakes are available as an option. Visibility is good in all directions except on a three-quarter-rear angle, because of blind zones created by the rear head restraints and C-pillars. The inside mirror creates a large blind zone towards the right, especially for tall people. Headlight intensity is good. In U.S. government crash tests, the crew cab Dakota obtained five stars out of five for front-occupant protection in a frontal impact and for all-occupant protection in a side impact. The extended cab version was not tested for rear-passenger protection in a side impact but otherwise it obtained the same rating. Both versions earned four stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Dakota an Acceptable rating, its second highest, for driver protection in a frontal offset impact and for all-occupant protection in a rear impact. Engine and transmission The 4.7L V8 has been completely reworked; Chrysler calls it a new engine. Their engineers added a second spark plug per cylinder, modified the admission and combustion systems and increased the compression ratio. The engine now puts out 302 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, which allows the Dakota to move along at a fairly lively clip, though not as vigorously as the numbers might suggest. This V8 meets Tier2/Bin8 emissions control standards and as a multi-fuel engine can run on a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The five-speed automatic transmission is ultra-smooth with well-staged gearing that lets the engine run at around 1700 rpm at 100 km-h. However, it is slow to downshift. It does not let you drive off in second gear. The transfer case functions well and is easy to use.

3 On the road The suspension provides a generally smooth ride. Firmness is well controlled, and the suspension does not react harshly. However, there is some pitching on many types of bumps, particularly from the front end. Road holding is good, but on uneven pavement the Dakota can move out of its line, especially in a curve. Evidently, you have to watch out for rear-end drift on bumps, particularly in corners. The suspension gives the vehicle a sturdy feel. The power steering is well tuned, stable, precise and relatively quick. It transmits a bit of road feel and has a tight turning circle. Braking is powerful and resists well to fade after a few high-speed panic stops. Inspection In an inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical centre we saw that the motor oil and transmission fluid dipsticks are hard to reach and that there is no light under the hood. The underside is very sturdy but is not rust proofed. The differential ventilation valves are well positioned high up. The overhead camshafts of both engines are chain driven. Consumer Reports predicts much worst than average reliability for the 4X4 versions. Conclusion With two body styles and three trim levels, the Dakota has several good draws to attract midsize pickup customers. It is also the only pickup in its class with a V8 engine. However, Chrysler must improve the quality of materials, especially for the dashboard, as well as corrosion protection. PROS: comfortable front seating, roominess, sturdy underside, ultra-smooth transmission, fast windshield wipers, driving position CONS: backseat comfort, road noise, some controls not lighted, no MIST position, windshield wiper control needs work, no rust proofing 2008 DODGE DAKOTA Engine: 12-valve, 3.7-litre V6; 16-valve, 4.7-litre V8 Horsepower: 210 hp at 5,200 rpm; 302 hp at 4,600 rpm Torque: 235 lb-ft at 4000 rpm; 329 lb-ft at 3,600 Transmission: 6-speed manual; 4- or 5-speed automatic Suspension: independent/rigid axle Brakes: disc/drum Wheelbase: cm Length: 555 cm Width: 194 cm Height: cm

4 Weight: 1,948 to 2,204 kg Tires: P245/70R16; P265/65R17; P265/60R18 Towing capacity: 3,243 kg Air bags: dual front. Optional head curtain Fuel consumption with V8 and 4WD: Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 15.6 L/100 km (18 mpg) Highway: 10.8 L/100 km (26 mpg) Test result: 16.5 L/100 (17.5 mpg) Test temperature: -14 C to 7 C Fuel tank capacity: 83 litres Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline or E85 Acceleration: km/h: 8.7 seconds km/h: 5.9 seconds Competition: Ford Explorer Sport Trac, Nissan Frontier Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/unlimited km Perforation damage: 5 years/160,000 km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module ) Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $414 Front brake disc: $97 Brake pads: $162 Muffler: not available Front fender: $202 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $885 to $1,043 Price according to trim line: Extended Cab ST: $25,695 Crew Cab ST: $28,295 Extended Cab SXT: $27,195 Crew Cab SXT: $29,695 Extended Cab SLT: $29,695 Crew Cab SLT: $33,195

5 Main options: 4WD: $3,600 or $3,700, depending on trim Automatic transmission: $1,265 Extra security package: $1,000 Limited-slip differential: $425 V8 engine: $2,260 (SXT and SLT) Towing package: $700 Price as tested: $37,330 Freight and preparation: $1,200 Dealers: Quebec: 157 Canada: 595 January All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec