Same size engine, 2wd, bigger truck in the Ram. Now check out the highlighted part where actual owners are polled, the Ram shows a bigger advantage in mpg, than the paltry 1mpg the site gave the Dakota.

This wasn't the only site. Time and time again, real owner comparisons have the Ram getting better mileage with the same config. How can a 4.7 engine get better mileage in a bigger, heavier truck?

Yes, the pics show a Dakota quad cab vs RAM reg cab. It was just the default pics, however. I wasn't able to get that granular on the site. Other sites allowed me to choose but with both QC, many owners had the Ram either at similar or greater mpg.

Personally, I'm getting roughly 15 mpg mixed and have seen 14.7 on many occasions, so I'm inclined to believe the owners. Furthermore, fueleconomy.gov have revised thier mpgs to reflect more "realistic" conditions...which supports owner stats even more.

 

Part of the demise of the Dakota.

 

weird, seems illogical, i am assuming the Ram is heavier.
maybe something in the pcm , exhaust, gearing ?

 

I think the dakota was used more as a city/work truck and the ram is more popular as an oversized family car.

 

I think magnethead has it

 

I'd say it was the other way around. People used the Dakota as a car because it wasn't as cumbersome as a full sized truck. That was the whole point behind it.

 

Hard to say... There are a ton of rams used as oversized grocery getters... I'd say more than a Dakota for sure.

I honestly think I've seen more mid size trucks that have been beat and abused and used as work trucks compared to full size trucks.

Haven't seen a midsize with a chrome package before!

 

Tons more Rams used for everything because they outsold Daks by a huge margin. If you were buying a work truck, what would you buy, given that the mileage was about the same?

 

Depends on where I gotta park the sucker!

If I'm buying either one with the same motor then I guess the extra room is better so a Ram... But If I lived in an appartment complex then Dakota ya know?

My point was that most families would buy the bigger truck (Ram) because they need to haul around their families.

But I do totally agree that there are more Rams than Dams, but I would bet that the higher percentage of work trucks compared to the total number of trucks would be higher for Daks.

Anyway back in topic... Who really knows.... Haha

 

I wouldn't rely on those figures it does say unofficial estimates from owners try the Ram forum I'm sure it has a ton of people complaining about the mpg like this forum.