2007 Dodge Dakota Exterior Review [ 2008 ]
Dodge Dakota Exterior Review
Exterior - 7.6 (Good)
Most auto reviewers agree that the 2007 Dodge Dakota's bold and imposing body style may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Kelley Blue Book concedes that "Dakota maintains much-needed visibility in what has become a competitive category."
"In the looks department the new Dakota is all buff, featuring a bolder crosshair grille and a sharply creased hood," says AutoWeek. While the Arizona Republic says it looks "brawny," A Car Place comments that its "chunky motif... makes the body look as though it's been heavily modified with teenagers with plastic kits." Even so, Kelley Blue Book asserts that its "bold exterior inspired by the larger Dodge Ram allows even the base Dakota to stand out in a crowd." The San Diego Union-Tribute concludes, its "curves and bumps" will most likely only "appeal to the young and those who think they are."
Exterior Trims
The 2007 Dodge Dakota is offered in three trims -- ST, SLT and Laramie -- and two body styles -- Club Cab and Quad Cab. While the Club Cab features two small rear-hinged doors, the Quad is outfitted with four independent and standard-size doors.
ST Club Cab and Quad Cab
Standard exterior features on the ST include tinted front-door windows, a fixed rear window, halogen headlamps, center hi-mount stop lamp, dark gray front fascia and rear bumper, bright grille, black windshield moldings, dual position tailgate, a pickup box and 16-inch styled steel wheels.
Among the many exterior options available for the ST Dakota is Dodge's "Chrome Edition" package -- which includes a chrome tubular side step, fuel filler door, exhaust tip and air deflector by MOPAR. Moreover, full-swing rear doors, a rear sliding window, power mirrors, body-color front fascia and rear bumper, bright rear bumper, body color grille and 18-inch aluminum wheels are also available.
SLT Club Cab and Quad Cab
Additional exterior features on the SLT include a rear sliding window, fog lights, body-color front fascia and rear bumper, full-swing rear doors (not available for Quad trims) and 16-inch cast aluminum wheels.
Additional exterior options include black bodyside moldings, body-color bodyside moldings, black MOPAR hood scoop, power multi-function fold-away mirrors, 16-inch aluminum wheels, 18-inch chrome clad aluminum wheels and 18-inch black aluminum wheels. A power sunroof is also available for the SLT Quad Cab.
Laramie Club Cab and Quad Cab
Additional exterior features on the Laramie include full-swing rear doors (not available for the Quad), automatic headlamps, body-color/bright front fascia, bright rear bumper and chrome bodyside moldings.
Optional exterior features for the Laramie trim level are similar to that of the SLT.
