Dodge Ram 1500 vs. Ram Dakota
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Dodge Ram 1500 and Ram Dakota contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Dodge Ram 1500 and the Ram Dakota.
When we compare the Dodge Ram 1500's and the Ram Dakota's specifications and ratings, the Dodge Ram 1500 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Ram Dakota has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Dodge Ram 1500's and the Ram Dakota's specifications and ratings, the Ram Dakota is a better car than the Dodge Ram 1500.
Pricing: A used 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 ranges from $7,494 to $18,007 while a used 2011 Ram Dakota is priced between $5,995 to $17,900.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Dodge Ram 1500’s base engine makes 215 horsepower, and the Ram Dakota base engine makes 210 horsepower. The Ram 1500 is rated to deliver an average of 16 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 520 miles. The Dakota is rated to deliver an average of 17 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 440 miles.This gives the Ram Dakota the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Dodge Ram 1500 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ram Dakota has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more and front leg room. The Dodge Ram 1500 has the advantage in the areas of front head room, and front shoulder room.
Available Cab Types and Bed Lengths: The Dodge Ram 1500 is available in a Crew Cab, Extended Cab, or a Regular Cab configuration, and the Ram Dakota is available in a Crew Cab or an Extended Cab configuration. The Dodge Ram 1500 offers bed lengths of 67.4, 76.3, and 98.3 inches, and the Ram Dakota offers bed lengths of 64.9 and 78.8 inches.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$20,610
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
$24,159
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
$20,610 - $35,725
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$23,210
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,566
Price Range:
$7,494 - $18,007
Category Avg Price:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
$13,139
Category Avg Price Range:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
$12,360 - $16,086
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
140
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
155,865
# Good or Great Deals:
39
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$11,727
Price Range:
$5,995 - $17,900
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
24
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
116,600
# Good or Great Deals:
10
Dodge Ram 1500 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Ram Dakota Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Dodge Ram 1500
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ram Dakota
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
0.9 - 12.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.4
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Dodge Ram 1500 Rankings
Not yet available
Ram Dakota Rankings
Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab, Extended Cab, Regular Cab
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab, Extended Cab
Available Bed Length(s)
67.4 inches, 76.3 inches, 98.3 inches
Available Bed Length(s)
64.9 inches, 78.8 inches
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Dodge Ram 1500 Trim Levels
Laramie, R/T Sport, SLT, SLT Sport, ST, TRX Off Road, TRX4 Off Road
Ram Dakota Trim Levels
Big Horn, Laramie, Lone Star, ST, TRX
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
215 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
235 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.048 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
3800 lbs
Max Payload:
1480 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
210 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
235 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
2000 lbs
Max Payload:
1810 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
14 / 20 / 16
Range (city/hwy):
364 / 520 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 20 / 17
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 440 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bluetooth:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bluetooth:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
66 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
63.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.4 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
94.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4525 lbs
Width:
79.4 inches
Height:
74.6 inches
Length:
209 inches
Wheelbase:
120.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4200 lbs
Width:
71.7 inches
Height:
68.6 inches
Length:
218.5 inches
Wheelbase:
131.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P265/70R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P245/70R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
Blue
Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat
Brown
Austin Tan Pearl Coat / Rugged Brown Pearl Coat
Gray
Light Graystone Pearl Coat / Mineral Gray Metallic Clear Coat
Red
Flame Red Clear Coat / Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat
Silver
Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
White
Bright White Clear Coat
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
Blue
Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat
Brown
Not available
Gray
Mineral Gray Metallic Clear Coat
Red
Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat
Silver
Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
White
Bright White Clear Coat
Interior Colors
Gray
Dark Slate/Medium Graystone
Interior Colors
Gray
Dark Slate Gray/Medium Slate Gray
