Should You Take the Dodge Dakota Off Road?
The Dodge Dakota is a lean, mean off-roading machine—for the price. However, it’s not a real wallcrawler.
Written by Max Werner
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
With decent ground clearance and a durable build, the
Dodge Dakota
is a certified off-roading machine. However, aftermarket upgrades are necessary for taking this trail-setter to the next level. There’s nothing quite like the open trail—but you’ll need an off-road vehicle to access it. Every off-road vehicle offers new ways for drivers to forge their own paths. But some models are better at it than others.
That’s where
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison super app
comes in. We’ve created a full guide to the Dodge Dokata’s off-road potential and capabilities, including clearance, angles, and our super official off-road rating. We’ll even explore popular alternatives. 
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Ready to ditch the conventional path? Let’s rev things up a bit.
Can the Dodge Dakota go off-road?
Absolutely. The Dodge Dakota can’t just handle road conditions—it was made for them. With a low $23,210 starting price, it’s pretty surprising how capable this truck is.
The Dakota’s biggest selling points are its well-tuned suspension and durable construction. Each new Dakota is assembled at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan. And trust me, those folks know what they’re doing.
The Dodge Dakota has plenty of features that separate it from the pack, leaving the competition in the dust. Let’s explore the most important aspects.
Ground clearance
The most essential part of off-road driving is ground clearance, which measures the distance between your car’s undercarriage and the ground. The Dodge Dakota has a decent 7.9 inches of ground clearance. This means you’ll want to avoid especially rugged terrain.
If ground clearance is too low, you risk your vehicle’s most precious components becoming victim to jagged rocks and uneven surfaces. Too high, and you’ll upset a vehicle’s balance.
The sweet spot for off-roading vehicles' ground clearance is between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. This range offers the best performance in most situations. When pitted against vehicles like the
Jeep Wrangler
, which has 9.7 inches of ground clearance, it’s clear the Dakota isn’t a rough-ground winner. That said, you can upgrade the Dodge Dakota’s ground clearance with aftermarket modifications.
Torque
Torque is best explained as your vehicle's raw power potential. Want to drive up a steep incline, attach a cable, or scale a wall? You’ll need a powerful engine with loads of torque to do it.
As a truck, the Dodge Dakota performs especially well here. The Dakota comes with 235 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 RPMs. Low-end torque—high torque at a low RPM—is essential for off-road driving. This means you’ll find the most power in lower gears, creating immediate strength to overcome obstacles.
The Dodge Dakota is a rarity for its cylinders. It’s one of two compact trucks with a V8 option—a V6 powerbase is standard.
Tires
The Dodge Dakota Off-Road comes standard with P245/70R16 tires. These are a pretty basic choice in the world of low-end off-road vehicles. They offer decent grip and will last a long time, but they won’t impress the seasoned trailster.
All-terrain tires
, or A/T tires, are a great upgrade to consider. They won’t last as long as standard tires but offer best-in-class traction on any surface thanks to a wider tread pattern.Drivetrain
Potential Dakota owners, we have bad news. The Dodge Dakota comes with a standard rear-wheel drivetrain. For most drivers, all-wheel drive is essential for smooth off-roading.
Still, a rear-wheel system gives you power for small gaps—just without the same control.
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowAngles
Two things any off-roader needs to consider: power and angles. Most importantly, you should consider your vehicle's approach and departure angles.
- Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
We’ve got mixed feelings about this one. The Dodge Dakota has an approach angle anda departure angleof 23degrees. That’s better than most off-road SUVs, but pitiful compared to other dirt-ready trucks.
With those values, you’ll manage on gentle slopes, slight inclines, and small gaps. But you shouldn’t go for anything steeper.
Off-road rating: rough and ready
To make things easier, we’ve rated the Dodge Dakota Off-Road with
Jerry’s
comprehensive (and fun) and DIRT rating system! See below:Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The Dodge Dakota heads to the woods with an R rating—and it was a close call. The Dakota is a beast for its price point. Still, this rear-wheel-only, poor-angle off-roader won’t be turning any heads.
If you’re not interested in additional upgrades, this isn’t the off-road warrior for you.
The best off-road alternatives to the Dodge Dakota
In the market for a low-cost, high-potential off-road truck? You can’t go wrong with the Dodge Dakota. Still, just like with
car insurance
, it won't hurt to do a little window shopping.For extra power, luxury features, and style, you’re already in the right place. Here are the best alternatives to the Dodge Dakota for off-road drivers.
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for bringing a friend (or seven) | $30,935 | You could write off the 2007 Chrysler—the size of a small party bus—as a road-only vehicle. But you’d be wrong. This luxury SUV packs a beastly 302-hp, 4.7-liter V8. Plus, there's room for the whole family! This is a great option for on- and off-road driving. | |
Best affordable alternative | $24,390 | The 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a bit more expensive than the base Dakota, but you get what you pay for. A 210-hp, 4.0-liter V6 gives this fine ride loads of power. AWD is the real selling point, though. |
MORE:Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
If you’re looking to make the Dodge Dakota your off-road go-to, you’re likely exploring custom upgrades—I mean, why not? But aftermarket parts, maintenance, and off-road vehicles are generally expensive. So the insurance is, too.
That’s where
Jerry
—a licensed broker
and car insurance
comparison engine—comes in. Jerry lets you compare rates from over 55 top insurers in just 45 seconds to find you the quotes that fit your needs. We even help you cancel your old policy!And that’s not even the best part! The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance.
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