We’ve been following a few rumors about the Ram Dakota for months. It could come back as a compact truck to battle the Ford Maverick. However, only a few renderings and verbal hints from Stellantis employees have emerged. Now our hopes are up again because we have new 2024 Ram Dakota clues to evaluate. 

Is the 2024 Ram Dakota on the way? 

Maybe, Stellantis could be working on a new compact truck like the 2024 Ram Dakota to battle the incredibly popular Ford Maverick. Pickup Truck Talk shared that it received a clue about a new concept truck making its debut in March. 

Upon being asked, Mike Koval Jr., Ram CEO, shared that he is contemplating showing a smaller version of a Ram truck at a dealer meeting in March. This would be to test the waters and gauge dealer reactions. 

Based on if they feel like they can sell the smaller truck could determine its future. But the Ford Maverick is so popular that it can’t be built fast enough! We think stout competition could sell like hotcakes. 

Also, if the Dakota returns as a midsize truck, it could fill a void in the industry. Ram currently doesn’t have a truck to fight the Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma. Plus, it may provide a more comfortable and practical option than the Jeep Gladiator. 

What do we know about the Dakota? 

The official specs and information about the 2024 Ram Dakota are still under wraps. However, it could be based on the Ram 1200. There are a few spy shots of the new Ram 1200 floating around, but it’s heavily covered under camouflage. 

It’s possible that the Ram Dakota could be a rebadged 1200 model. We don’t have the Ram 1200 in America, but we could enjoy its cousin. It would be similar to how other countries have the Toyota Hilux, and we have the Toyota Tacoma. 

Based on the most recent batch of spy shots, the potential Ram Dakota looks like a midsize truck. We can speculate that it rides on the STLA medium platform instead of the large one. Both options support electrification. 

Interestingly, the smaller truck doesn’t match any current Ram models. It has round headlights like the Jeep Commander and Jeep Renegade. 

So, are we possibly looking at the new Jeep Renegade truck? There was a Jeep Renegade concept truck at the Easter Jeep Safari back in 2016. 

How much power will the 2024 Dakota have?

There are tons of engine possibilities for the potential 2024 Ram Dakota. But we’re interested in the Dodge Horenet’s powertrain. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 265 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. 

The Dodge Hornet PHEV uses a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an electric motor and a 15.5-kWh battery pack to produce 288 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. It has up to 30 miles of electric range on a single charge, putting it in Ford Maverick Hybrid territory. 

However, the dodge Hornet PHEV can be paired with AWD while the Ford Maverick Hybrid can’t. It would have a capable and sportier advantage. 

The Hornet GT starts under $30,000, making it the fastest and most affordable option in the class. Perhaps the Dodge Dakota will use parts from the Renegade and the Hornet to give us an affordable, capable, and practical option. 

We will keep an eye out for more clues. Hopefully, Mike Koval will let us know how the meeting goes in March.