Dodge's Dakota was introduced in 1987 as the first midsize pickup, larger than compacts and smaller than full-size models. Dakotas came in two sizes: 112-inch wheelbase with a 6.5-foot cargo bed and 124-inch wheelbase with an 8-foot bed each having a 3-place bench seat. 1992 Dodge Dakota comes equipped with both V6 and V8 engines. Horsepower increased fro V6 engines from 125 to 180 and 165 to 230 for V8 engines The "Magnum" V6 featured for 1992 produced better acceleration but engine and exhaust noise are more noticeable as speed increases.

 

V8 functions well for towing yet rides gets bouncy when the cargo box is empty. Further improvements must be done for other features. Cargo space is limited thus cargo luggage or roof racks must be added. The rear seat has limited knee room making it hard to enter. Although other controls are easy to reach, the floor-mounted 4WD lever is low so there is a need to reach under the dash to shift from 2WD to 4WD. Other trouble spots include automatic transmission that won't upshift in cold weather, oil pump problems resulting to surging when the engine is warm and lack of lubrication when it is cold, and rough idle defects due to problem in air control