Ram’s Mid-Size Truck Revives a Classic Name: ‘No Brainer’

Ram is gearing up for a return to the mid-size truck market. After more than a decade on the sidelines, the new model will take on heavy hitters like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevy Colorado—and now we know what it will be called.

Welcome back, Ram Dakota (formerly the Dodge Dakota). During a media event in Detroit, CEO Tim Kuniskis confirmed what many had already suspected: the company is reviving the Dakota name for its smaller truck. Kuniskis said the decision to bring back the Dakota name was a “no-brainer.”

Details otherwise are still limited. The new truck will slot below the full-size Ram 1500, giving buyers a smaller, more affordable option. Ram has said the truck was designed specifically for the US market, rather than borrowing heavily from its corporate cousins overseas.

Engine options and horsepower figures haven’t been confirmed, but the lineup is expected to include four- and six-cylinder gas engines, with hybrid or mild-hybrid variants possible. Pricing is expected to land around $40,000, keeping it competitive with Ford, Chevy, and Toyota.

Production is set to begin in 2027, with the Dakota arriving as a 2028 model. The previous Dakota left the market in 2011, making this Ram’s first midsize truck in nearly 15 years. Long overdue.