The Dodge Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck from the Chrysler's Dodge brand. It was launched in 1987 with a design that meets the fuel efficiency of a small cargo vehicle. In 1996, the first generation's final year, the K-based 2.5 L I4 engine was out of production. The second-generation Dakota was built from 1997 through 2004. After the second-generation, the 2005 Dakota has been redesigned but still shares its platform with the new Dodge Durango SUV.

Today a freshened version of the 2005 was produced which was named as the 2008 Dakota Extended Cab 4X4. It is a 4-door, up to 5-passenger compact pickup, available in 6 trims, ranging from the ST to the LARAMIE.

"The ST is equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 210-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The LARAMIE is equipped with a standard 4.7-liter, V8, 302-horsepower, flexible fuel engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. A 5 speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard." The redesigned Dakota impresses reviewers with its immense towing capabilities and its noticeable added power. Despite great power, it still rides smooth and quiet.

The redesign of the new Dakota has brought more appealing styles. The most observable difference is on its front end which undergone a dramatic transformation. It has gotten rid of the choppy and flattened nose, and goes on with the more handsome rectangular headlights and a newly styled hood, bumper, and grille. The new Dodge Dakota still looks big and is actually the biggest pickup in the midsize class.

When it comes to interior quality, the 2008 Dodge Dakota ranks near the top of its class and it is the only compact pickup that can seat up to six persons. It has excellent interior truck parts, with seats that look good with its upper and lower support wings.

Among the many standard features equipped on the ST Extended Cab are bucket seats and an AM/FM/CD stereo system with four speakers. The cargo maintains 46.5 cubic feet of room behind.

According to usnews.rankingsandreviews.com, "The 2008 Dodge Dakota does extremely well in federal government crash tests. It tops the scores with five stars for driver and passenger safety in frontal crash tests, as well as five stars for both front- and rear-seat safety in side crash tests."