Stellantis revives Ram Dakota for 2028 as mid-size pickup truck
New Ram Dakota mid-size pickup truck set to launch in 2028
Stellantis revives Ram Dakota for 2028 as mid-size pickup truck
Stellantis plans to launch the Ram Dakota, a body-on-frame mid-size pickup truck, in 2028 to compete with Toyota Tacoma at an estimated $30,000 starting price.
2026-02-08T23:31:21+03:00
2026-02-08T23:31:21+03:00
2026-02-08T23:31:21+03:00
According to leaks and industry sources, Stellantis is preparing to launch a new mid-size pickup truck for the North American market. This model could revive the familiar Dakota nameplate, but in a completely new format and with different positioning compared to the historical Dodge Dakota of past generations.Preliminary information suggests the upcoming Ram Dakota will be a body-on-frame pickup and might use the next-generation Jeep Gladiator platform. Insiders emphasize this isn't just a simple rebadge—the models are being developed as independent products despite sharing architecture. Rumors indicate production will be set up at the Belvidere plant, further signaling Stellantis's serious ambitions in this segment.The expected launch timeframe is 2028, though it remains unclear whether it will be marketed as a 2028 or 2029 model. The estimated starting price is around $30,000. This would allow Dakota to compete directly with the Toyota Tacoma and other mid-size pickups while remaining significantly more affordable than the Ram 1500, which starts at roughly $41,500 in the U.S.Amid these rumors, renders of the supposed Dakota have begun appearing online. One version depicts a large pickup with Dodge Durango styling and Ram 1500 proportions. However, the creators stress this is merely design speculation that doesn't reflect the actual scale or format of the future model.For Stellantis, reviving Dakota could be a way to fill the crucial niche between compact pickups and full-size trucks. The mid-size pickup segment continues to grow in the U.S., and Ram's lack of a current model is increasingly seen as a strategic gap.If Stellantis does bring back Dakota as a modern body-on-frame pickup at a competitive price, the model has every chance to establish itself in the market. Yet success will depend on whether the new Dakota can deliver a balance of utility, technology, and distinctive character—rather than merely banking on nostalgia for the name.
Ram Dakota, Stellantis, mid-size pickup truck, 2028 launch, Toyota Tacoma competitor, body-on-frame, North American market, Jeep Gladiator platform, affordable pickup
2026
Michael Powers
news
New Ram Dakota mid-size pickup truck set to launch in 2028
Stellantis plans to launch the Ram Dakota, a body-on-frame mid-size pickup truck, in 2028 to compete with Toyota Tacoma at an estimated $30,000 starting price.
Michael Powers, Editor
According to leaks and industry sources, Stellantis is preparing to launch a new mid-size pickup truck for the North American market. This model could revive the familiar Dakota nameplate, but in a completely new format and with different positioning compared to the historical Dodge Dakota of past generations.
Preliminary information suggests the upcoming Ram Dakota will be a body-on-frame pickup and might use the next-generation Jeep Gladiator platform. Insiders emphasize this isn't just a simple rebadge—the models are being developed as independent products despite sharing architecture. Rumors indicate production will be set up at the Belvidere plant, further signaling Stellantis's serious ambitions in this segment.
The expected launch timeframe is 2028, though it remains unclear whether it will be marketed as a 2028 or 2029 model. The estimated starting price is around $30,000. This would allow Dakota to compete directly with the Toyota Tacoma and other mid-size pickups while remaining significantly more affordable than the Ram 1500, which starts at roughly $41,500 in the U.S.
Amid these rumors, renders of the supposed Dakota have begun appearing online. One version depicts a large pickup with Dodge Durango styling and Ram 1500 proportions. However, the creators stress this is merely design speculation that doesn't reflect the actual scale or format of the future model.
For Stellantis, reviving Dakota could be a way to fill the crucial niche between compact pickups and full-size trucks. The mid-size pickup segment continues to grow in the U.S., and Ram's lack of a current model is increasingly seen as a strategic gap.
If Stellantis does bring back Dakota as a modern body-on-frame pickup at a competitive price, the model has every chance to establish itself in the market. Yet success will depend on whether the new Dakota can deliver a balance of utility, technology, and distinctive character—rather than merely banking on nostalgia for the name.
