Between the Dakota, Colorado, Tacoma, Frontier, and Ridgeline. All 4 door models. The Dakota seemed to be the most controversial pickup there. Out of the 5 test drivers, 2 rated it second, and 3 rated it 4th. [&:]

If it had better acceleration, I'd bet it would've finished higher. Here is a run-down of the pluses and minuses of each for anyone interested

5th place Colorado:

Slowest of the bunch (surprising, given it's the lightest of the 5). They thought it was the worst of the 5 by far (and one editor even said "It's like the Colorado was designed NOT to compete"). The final verdict was that it's a good thing it's cheap. Dissapointing product from the General. I expected better.

4th place Dakota:

Great ride, great handling, great driving qualities all around. Big Bed, big cab, V8 exhaust (they all loved that- and all that revving might have contributed to the observed 13 mpg compared to the test's best 17). Steering, some felt like it was too overassisted, and some loved the steering feel. They all thought it was too heavy, and that showed up in braking and acceleration. The interior got some controversial remarks, too. It either looked to simple and odd or it looked clean and uncluttered. Seemed like Dodge hit the mark with the Dakota in all areas except weight (and possibly styling).

3rd place Tacoma:

They loved the cab (They liked the Dakota cab, but liked the Toyota's a little better), and loved the big bed (the only cab bigger than the Dakota's). Loved the engine and 0-60. However, they claimed it bucked like a bronco when accelerating, nose dived like a dive bomber when braking, and the body rolled like a motorcycle. One tester even said that there isn't even an ounce of fun-to-drive to the Tacoma. they commented that the Tacoma needs a better chassis. That makes me feel better about the Dakota vs. Tacoma. The Tacoma isn't perfect! WOO HOO!

2nd place Frontier:

Good ride, handling, and power (slightly slower than the Tacoma). Just a good all around truck, apparently. They hated the cab, though. They thought the back seats were very uncomfortable. That put it in second.

1st place Ridgeline:

The Honda placed first. [:@] Apparently it was just good all around. Good space, good power, great ride and handling, great utility. This didn't surprise me, though. Honda scares me when they have the time to develop something. They did comment that the Ridgeline isn't really a truck, though. Just a good all-around light utility vehicle. And I believe that. I think it's not a real truck. Just a good light utility vehicle that happens to have a bed.


What are everyone's reaction to this? It seems to me that Dodge did their homework (though the styling is controversial), but they just paid the penalty with weight. They commented that the Dodge was fun to drive (aside from acceleration), and rode great. A very comfortable truck. It was just slow to accelerate and slow to stop. I for one would gladly trade one second to 60 if it meant that I didn't get motion sick when driving like the Tacoma. Add to the fact that the Tacoma needs premium unleaded, and you'd pay as much on gas for a V8 Dakota as the Tacoma. I'm not sure if the Frontier needs premium or not.

 

When i bought my ram i was considering a dakota but worried about the new one coming out and i would want it. Not a problem.

 

Do you think there is a reason they call it Car and Driver. Come on It sounds to me like a lot of this test was based on style and onroad accerlaion and handeling. Things like towing, Ground Clearence, offroad handling and ruggness hardly even counted
Throw all those trucks off road and I am sure the Honda would be left in the dust.
Then How about throw a trailer on the back and see how the others fair,
These tests were obviously based on which truck had the most car like feel.
My favorite quote is on the highs of the Dakota : "Sprightly handling (for a truck), adequate back-seat space, V-8 music makes it sound like a real truck." All the rest are just posers
Along with " Is the Honda a car or a truck"

I am sure that in a 4x4 mag the ranking of these trucks would be very different.

Now for the critisim for our American made companies. If GM really wanted to compete in this category why the H3LL did they put the I-5 in the Colorado, when they have a very similar I-6 that produces a nice 270 hp.

And now for dodges flogging (even though i dont like to give it) why did they ever go to the 4.7? to me they could have developed a much better engine to base their trucks on. The 4.7 in my opinion is not that big of an improvement over the 5.2/318. On paper it looks great, but in the field it just does not perform although the HO 4.7 is much beter than the reg 4.7 I think they could have designed a much better V-8.

And come on Dodge put that Hemi in the Dakota then we will see which truck will win those Acceration and 1/4 mile tests.
[sm=gears.gif][sm=goodidea.gif]

 

I think you're right in that they put a lot of emphasis on acceleration and style. They didn't even test the towing capacity.

And they did do some mild off-roading I think. Just seemed like dirt paths in the pictures.

I'd like to see what Truck Trend or one of the other truck magazines do with these 5 in a comparison.

 

I like the fact that the honda had 255 horse's on a 3.7 L VS my 4.7 only @ 230 that kinda pissed me off!
Them Nip's are kinda savy!

Sorry but IMHO gotta stay with the Dak,I love it!

 

Horsepower only matters above 3,500 rpm or so. What really counts is Torque. That is what moves trucks, and the Dakota has 295 lb. ft. versus the Honda's 250 or so. Probably 95% of people's driving relys on Torque, but Horsepower gets all the attention for some reason.

The Dakota just so happens to be carting around 4,500 lbs to fight the V8.

 

The only reason why that Ridgeline is first is because it's new. It happens to alot of new vehicles. Btw, that Tacoma owns the Ridgeline and Dakota.


-Matt-

 

Great ride, great handling, great driving qualities all around. Big Bed, big cab, V8 exhaust (they all loved that- and all that revving might have contributed to the observed 13 mpg compared to the test's best 17).

V8 exhaust............. lmfao, they have got to be kidding. 2 cats, a 3 foot muffler and 2 smaller mufflers.... I fart louder than this truck.

 

I noticed yesterday that 1st gear is very slow, very much a tow gear, once it hit's 2nd it's a totaly diffrent truck. The low end tourqe sold me on this truck theres power at any RPM. Horsepower is nothing in a truck a long flate tourqe band is way more inportant and that what this V8 delivers, also it uses 87 octane and those V6's (witch have almost the same MPG rating as the 4.7) run on 92. The Dakota brochure shows next year there uping the compression on the 4.7 to make 260hp and 310tq, that will be a big help. They commented on wieght, but it handles great and it's breaking distance is the same as the compatitors, and it tows 2000 pounds more WTF does it matter. The ridgeline is by far the uglest truck ever and the bed side's are completly useless, not to mention starting price is $28,000 thats outrages. It's just because there a Honda emblem on it it won.

 

I said it when I bought my Dakota and I'll say it now: It's not the best all-around truck, but if you don't want a full-size, it offers the best utility. Why buy a truck and sacrifice utility?

That was what made my decision easy...


I read this article a few weeks ago when it first came out, so I can't remember which truck this was, Tacoma or Frontier (I think Tacoma), but they said it handled poorly, steering was bad, and the front seating position was uncomfortable. And yet, it got high scores, 2nd or 3rd in the test. Any vehicle, those things should be among the most important.


But, the nice thing about car and driver, all the facts are there and the reviews are pretty honest. You just can't rely on their rankings to mean anything.