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An Upcoming Toyota Tacoma Fighter Is Already Winning Over America

Ram recently offered dealers a taste of its upcoming midsize pickup, and the truck’s design warranted some significant reactions.

Close-up of an orange RAM truck front grille with chrome accents under a partly cloudy sky.Stellantis
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By Gray Van Dyke

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Last September, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa announced that Ram would be bringing a midsize truck to market come 2027. While there was little in the way of details at the time, the subsequent debut of the Nightfall Concept got Mopar fans jonesing for a Dakota redux. 

Ram big boss Tim Kuniskis then confirmed that, in addition to appearing on the tailgate of a new Brazilian variant, the Dakota nameplate would also return to market in North America. Moreover, with a target price of around $40,000, it would bring the brand’s price of entry down quite a bit.

Red Dodge Dakota Sport pickup truck with extended cab and silver alloy wheels on gray background.
The Dakota represented the last Dodge/Ram midsize, and it left the market in 2011.
Stellantis

Now, by the sound of things, the Dakota is shaping up to be quite the compelling truck. Ram dealers recently got a sneak peek at the upcoming pickup during the NADA conference, and the response was resoundingly favorable.

Making an impression with dealers

The report comes courtesy of Automotive News, as the outlet spoke to several attendees in the wake of the Dakota reveal. By all accounts, the truck’s design is perfectly on-brand for Ram, blending rugged looks with work-ready utility.

Close-up of a RAM truck grille with the RAM logo prominently displayed in dark, moody lighting. The grille features a wavy pattern behind the bold, raised letters.
The Nightfall concept could be an indication of the look Ram would like to target with its revived Dakota.
Stellantis

For instance, one dealer manager from Houston described the pickup as “aggressive,” and said that “it looks like the right size” to contest the midsize segment. “As long as the pricing is in line, it’s going to be a huge hit,” he added, which echoes Kuniskis’s previous sentiments.

Another general manager from south Texas felt similarly. When asked about the pickup’s promise, he stated that “it really did look nice” and that “Toyota better be careful — we’re going to start competing with them when it comes to the Tacoma.”

While it’s a bold assertion given the Tacoma’s sales figures in the United States, it nevertheless underscores Ram’s ambitions. Toyota has built an authoritative following in the midsize segment, and the brand wants to recapture some of that market by way of an appeal to Dakota loyalists.

Front view of a silver RAM pickup truck with illuminated LED headlights, roof lights, and fog lights, set against a dark background. The truck features a bold grille with the RAM logo and a hood scoop with amber marker lights. The floor beneath the truck has a checkered pattern with blue lighting accents.
Between its bevy of lights and its burly tires, the Nightfall Concept hits many of the high notes for the Tacoma and Ranger-buying demographic.
Stellantis

Moreover, considering that Ford has a Tacoma rival in the Ranger and GM has a pair of competitors in the Colorado and the Canyon, it should come as no surprise that Ram is eager to get in on the action. The Dakota is packed with potential, and some who saw the pickup described it as a “game changer,” assuming it can deliver on its prospects.

North and South Dakotas

When Stellantis dropped the Nightfall Concept last year, the pickup acted as a preview of the production model slated for the South American market.

Orange Ram Dakota pickup truck parked on a dirt road with green grass and a wooden fence in the background.
South America also gets a Dakota, but it’s unlikely to inform the truck that will land in the United States.
Stellantis

Although the resulting truck (pictured above) has also been named the Dakota, it’s a very different vehicle from what’s expected for the United States. It takes its bones from the Changan F70, which also forms the basis for the Peugeot Landtrek.

By contrast, the Dakota destined for North America is set to be built at the same Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio that’s used for the Wrangler and Gladiator. It’ll bring its own unique body-on-frame design, and it’ll target a more mainstream utility than Jeep’s trail-rated truck.

Orange RAM Dakota Laramie 4x4 pickup truck parked on grass under a partly cloudy sky at sunset.
This Dakota is actually based on the same platform that underpins the Peugeot Landtrek.
Stellantis

Now, at this stage, Ram hasn’t divulged any powertrain information or performance specs. However, a recent interview with The Drive confirmed that Tim Kuniskis believes that “it needs to be a proper truck” with “the towing capabilities” and “the payload” — “everything that a truck buyer is looking for.”

There’s also reportedly potential for a hybrid drivetrain in keeping with the rest of the segment, but that’ll obviously depend on whether Stellantis moves forward with its mixed-energy initiatives. After all, the company has previously made some dramatic about-faces, such as reviving the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 for the Ram 1500.

Glossy black "DAKOTA" emblem on a dark surface with a geometric pattern of black lines and shapes.
The Dakota nameplate’s revival is packed full of promise, even with the arrival of a distinct pickup for South America.
Stellantis

More the come

Based on prior timelines, Ram’s revived Dakota is set to arrive by 2028, and as early as 2027. In other words, you can expect to hear more about this pickup in the coming months.

When the Dakota finally debuts, it’ll make for a welcome return. In its previous Dodge-badged guise, the truck had a healthy 25-year run before leaving the market in 2011.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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