1998 Dodge Dakota R/T Test Drive

Slotted between compact and full size pickups, the Dodge Dakota struck a highly appealing compromise. It out towed and out carried the compact, but was more manageably sized than the full size heavy haulers. Completely reworked for 1997, the Dakota tapped into the same big rig styling mother load as the Ram stablemate. And the looks got even tougher in 1998 with the arrival of the R/T sport Package that included monochromatic fascias and bumpers, special wheels, and performance exhaust, and a new line topping 5.9 liter V8.