RAM Confirms Return of Midsized Pickup with the Nameplate You Expect

Dan Grec, Expedition Portal

After more than a decade away from the midsize pickup segment, RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis has officially confirmed its return with the revival of a familiar name: the RAM Dakota. Slated to debut in 2027 and reach dealerships shortly afterward as a 2028 model, the Dakota will mark RAM’s first entry into the highly competitive midsize truck category since the previous Dakota was discontinued in 2011.

A New Dakota for the Modern Midsize Segment

The new Dakota is designed specifically for the North American market and will slot beneath the RAM 1500 in RAM’s lineup. Built on a traditional body-on-frame architecture rather than a unibody platform, the truck will compete directly with segment leaders like the Toyota Tacoma and the Jeep Gladiator.

While RAM has not yet released full technical specifications, the Dakota is expected to fall squarely in the midsize footprint. Early reports suggest overall length in the neighborhood of 210 inches with a wheelbase similar to other body-on-frame midsize trucks, placing it directly alongside the Tacoma and Gladiator in terms of size and utility.

Payload figures are expected to land around 2,200 pounds, with towing capacity projected to reach roughly 7,700 pounds, making it competitive with the best in the segment. These numbers would put the Dakota in the same league as the Tacoma, which currently tops out around 1,700 pounds of payload and 6,500 pounds of towing, while the Gladiator offers up to 1,725 pounds of payload and 7,700 pounds of towing depending on configuration.

Although official GVWR figures have not yet been released, analysts expect a rating in the 6,000–6,500-pound range, typical for midsize body-on-frame pickups.

Powertrains: Gasoline First, Hybrid Likely

Ram executives have confirmed that the Dakota will offer multiple powertrains. Early expectations include a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and possibly a V-6 option, with electrified versions also under consideration.

Potential candidates include Stellantis’ 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the well-known 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6. Hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions are also rumored, reflecting Stellantis’ broader electrification strategy while still acknowledging that many midsize truck buyers remain hesitant about fully electric pickups. At this stage, a BEV Dakota appears unlikely at launch, though the platform could eventually support electrified variants as battery technology evolves.

Built in America

The Dakota will be assembled in the United States, with Stellantis planning production at its Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, a facility that had previously been idled but is now being retooled for the new truck. The move is expected to bring hundreds of jobs back to the plant and marks a major investment in RAM’s North American manufacturing footprint.

Pricing and Launch Timeline

Pricing is expected to start at around $40,000, placing the Dakota slightly above the base price of many midsize competitors but still well below the cost of a full-size pickup. RAM plans to officially reveal the Dakota in 2027, with production beginning later that year and the truck arriving in dealerships as a 2028 model-year vehicle.

A Long-Awaited Return

For Ram, the Dakota represents more than just a new model, but a return to one of the fastest-growing segments in the North American truck market. With midsize trucks like the Tacoma and Gladiator enjoying strong demand among overlanders, outdoor enthusiasts, and urban truck buyers alike, RAM’s re-entry could finally give the brand a competitive foothold in a segment it abandoned more than a decade ago.

If RAM delivers the right mix of capability, price, and rugged styling, the Dakota could quickly become a compelling alternative for buyers who want real truck capability in a smaller package than a full-size pickup.