2011 RAM Dakota

header-image
$23,210 - $33,635
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

The optional V8 engine offers incredible towing prowess

Dated interior design

It gets a handful of feature revisions for 2011

A tremendous amount of interior storage space

The numb steering feel makes it bland to drive

Comfortable and snug seats are long-drive friendly indeed

Specs & Features

$27,460

price

210 hp @ 5200 rpm

horsepower

235 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

4-Speed Automatic

transmission

3.7L 6cyl 4WD 4A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2011 RAM Dakota CrewCab is a prominent contender in the midsize pickup truck segment, competing primarily with the Honda Ridgeline CrewCab, the Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, and the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab. Prices start off at MSRP $25,760 with the base ST trim, and reach all the way to the top Laramie trim carrying an MSRP of $33,635, for a total of 4 trims being offered. With multiple powertrain and cab options available across multiple trims, there is a Dakota for everyone. The RAM Dakota CrewCab offers 2 exciting powertrains, each offered as both RWD and 4WD. The base engine is a 3.7L V6 engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, capable of making 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. This engine is rated for a towing capacity of 4,950 pounds. Another engine is a larger 4.7L V8 engine affixed to a 5-speed automatic transmission, making 302 horsepower and carrying a towing capacity of 7250 pounds. The RAM Dakota Crew Cab only comes with a 5.5-foot bed. All in all, the Dakota Crew Cab delivers an exciting package, both in terms of performance and looks. The rugged and masculine exteriors are offered in 6 attractive colors.

Buying Advice

The mid-range BigHorn trim offers the best functionality out of all the five trims. It comes standard with some practical and versatile features like the rear under-seat storage system, full power accessories, keyless entry, remote ignition, power driver seat, Alpine stereo, and much more.

Trims

    ST
    $23,210 onwards
    • 16-inch silver styled steel Wheels
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    BigHorn
    $24,085 onwards
    • 17-Inch alloy wheels
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Body color front bumper
    • Keyless entry
    • Power driver seat
    Lone Star
    $24,085 onwards
    • Engine: 3.7L 6cyl 4WD 4A
    • Horsepower: 210 hp @ 5200 rpm hp
    • Torque: 235 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.9 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 15 mpg
    Big Horn/Lone Star
    $26,780 onwards
    • Engine: 3.7L 6cyl RWD 4A
    • Horsepower: 302 hp @ 5650 rpm hp
    • Torque: 235 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.2 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 17 mpg
    Laramie
    $30,635 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Sirius AM/FM/Satellite
    TRX
    $31,820 onwards
    • Leather wrapped steering wheel
    • Premium alpine speaker system
    • Remote engine start system

Compare to similar cars

Price

$23,210- $33,635

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.63

Horsepower

302 hp @ 5650 rpm

Torque

329 lb.-ft. @ 3950 rpm

Capacity

6

Read Review

$17,145- $29,075

Gasoline

7.27

185 hp @ 5600 rpm

190 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

3

Read Review

$36,300- $49,500

Gasoline

7.9

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

6

Read Review

$29,150- $37,080

Gasoline

7.61

250 hp @ 5700 rpm

247 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

$27,410- $40,210

Gasoline

7.07

317 hp @ 5200 rpm

385 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

6

Read Review

$18,200- $32,080

Gasoline

7.8

152 hp @ 5200 rpm

171 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

4

Read Review

$17,595- $29,150

Gasoline

8.84

152 hp @ 5200 rpm

171 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

2011 RAM Dakota vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.9 sec16.4 sec-
    6.9 sec15.5 sec115 mph
    7.7 sec16.0 sec112 mph
    8.4 sec-155 mph
    8.8 sec16.7 sec110 mph
    9.1 sec--

    2011 RAM Dakota vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      15 mpg20 mpg17 mpg22 gal.- -
      19 mpg23 mpg21 mpg21.1 gal.400.9/485.3 mi.
      18 mpg25 mpg21 mpg19 gal.342/475 mi.
      19 mpg23 mpg21 mpg21.1 gal.400.9/485.3 mi.
      15 mpg20 mpg17 mpg22 gal.330/440 mi.
      15 mpg21 mpg17 mpg31 gal.465/651 mi.

      2011 RAM Dakota vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        218.5 in.71.7 in.68.6 in.7.9 in.131.3 in.
        224.6 in.79.5 in.74.6 in.10.2 in.139.8 in.
        221.3 in.79.1 in.76.6 in.9.1 in.130 in.
        207 in.77.8 in.70.3 in.8.2 in.122 in.
        206.6 in.72.8 in.68.7 in.7.6 in.125.9 in.
        205.5 in.72.8 in.68.7 in.7.6 in.125.9 in.

        2011 RAM Dakota vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          --65 cu.ft.
          -93.6 cu.ft.79.3 cu.ft.
          45.5 cu.ft.98.1 cu.ft.45.5 cu.ft.
          33.5 cu.ft.-33.5 cu.ft.
          44 cu.ft.93 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.
          12.4 cu.ft.112 cu.ft.-

          2011 RAM Dakota vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            65 cu.ft.-65 cu.ft.79 ft.
            12 cu.ft.44 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.73 ft.
            79.3 cu.ft.-79.3 cu.ft.79 ft.
            -12.4 cu.ft.-60 ft.
            33.5 cu.ft.33.5 cu.ft.33.5 cu.ft.73 ft.
            -27.1 cu.ft.-73 ft.

            2011 RAM Dakota vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1810 lbs.- -
              8100 lbs.1522 lbs.5478 lbs.
              7400 lbs.2153 lbs.4987 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1546 lbs.4504 lbs.
              4000 lbs.1422 lbs.3366 lbs.
              3500 lbs.986 lbs.3686 lbs.

              Top RAM Cars

              2011 RAM 1500

              Horsepower : 310 hp @ 5650 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 9.3 sec

              #1

              2011 RAM Dakota

              Horsepower : 210 hp @ 5200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 8.9 sec

              #2