Ram 1500 vs Ram Dakota
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2011 Ram Dakota
Overview
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram DakotaST |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Express | ST |
| Body style | Truck (Quad Cab) | Truck (Extended Cab) |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 4-speed automatic |
| Engine type | mild hybrid | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2011 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram DakotaST |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $42,375 | $23,210 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $899 (best) | — |
| Median listing price | $53,274 (best) | — |
| Highest listing price | $139,900 (best) | — |
| For sale now | 3,907 (best) | 0 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram DakotaST |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 22 MPG (best) | 17 MPG |
| City MPG | 20 MPG (best) | 15 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 25 MPG (best) | 20 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 26 gal (best) | 22 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram DakotaST |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 305 hp (best) | 210 hp |
| Torque | 269 lb-ft (best) | 235 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 3.6 L | 3.7 L (best) |
| Cylinders | V6 | V6 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram DakotaST |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats (best) | 4 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Towing capacity | 7,660 lbs (best) | 7,250 lbs |
| Payload | 2,365 lbs (best) | 1,810 lbs |
| Curb weight | 4,836 lbs | 4,200 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | — | 7.9 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 141 in (best) | 131.3 in |
| Length | 229 in (best) | 218.5 in |
| Width | 82 in (best) | 71.7 in |
| Height | 78 in (best) | 68.6 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram DakotaST |
|---|---|---|
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ram 1500 | Ram Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Express $42,375 MSRP(Currently comparing) | ST $23,210 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Express $45,125 MSRP | ST $27,460 MSRP |
| 3 | Express $48,265 MSRP | BigHorn $24,085 MSRP |
| 4 | Express $45,775 MSRP | BigHorn $26,780 MSRP |
| 5 | Express $48,525 MSRP | BigHorn $28,335 MSRP |
| 6 | Express $51,665 MSRP | BigHorn $29,730 MSRP |
| 7 | Tradesman $42,375 MSRP | LoneStar $24,085 MSRP |
| 8 | Tradesman $45,125 MSRP | LoneStar $26,780 MSRP |
| 9 | Tradesman $48,265 MSRP | LoneStar $28,335 MSRP |
| 10 | Tradesman $45,775 MSRP | LoneStar $29,730 MSRP |
| 11 | Tradesman $48,525 MSRP | ST Fleet $25,760 MSRP |
| 12 | Tradesman $51,665 MSRP | ST Fleet $28,710 MSRP |
| 13 | Big Horn $47,630 MSRP | Laramie $30,635 MSRP |
| 14 | Big Horn $50,380 MSRP | Laramie $33,635 MSRP |
| 15 | Big Horn $53,520 MSRP | TRX Fleet $31,820 MSRP |
| 16 | Big Horn $51,030 MSRP | — |
| 17 | Big Horn $53,780 MSRP | — |
| 18 | Big Horn $56,920 MSRP | — |
| 19 | Lone Star $47,630 MSRP | — |
| 20 | Lone Star $50,380 MSRP | — |
| 21 | Lone Star $53,520 MSRP | — |
| 22 | Lone Star $51,030 MSRP | — |
| 23 | Lone Star $53,780 MSRP | — |
| 24 | Lone Star $56,920 MSRP | — |
| 25 | Warlock $48,525 MSRP | — |
| 26 | Laramie $61,680 MSRP | — |
| 27 | Laramie $65,080 MSRP | — |
| 28 | Laramie $65,525 MSRP | — |
| 29 | Rebel $65,645 MSRP | — |
| 30 | RHO $74,995 MSRP | — |
| 31 | Limited $76,605 MSRP | — |
| 32 | Limited $76,905 MSRP | — |
| 33 | Longhorn $76,605 MSRP | — |
| 34 | Longhorn $76,905 MSRP | — |
| 35 | Tungsten $89,000 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ram 15003,907 for sale
See all
Used2022 Ram 1500
Rebel
Bright White•Black46,446 mi$40,999Northwest Motor Group
Pasco, WA
Used2022 Ram 1500
Big Horn
Billet Silver Metallic Clearcoat•Diesel Gray/Black35,419 mi$36,798Northwest Motor Group
Pasco, WA
Used2020 Ram 1500
Limited
Granite Crystal Metallic•Black75,795 mi$36,499Northwest Motor Group
Pasco, WA
Used2026 Ram 1500
Laramie
Granite Crystal Metallic Clearcoat•Black27,982 mi$46,985Seelye Select on 9th
Kalamazoo, MI
Used2020 Ram 1500
Laramie
Delmonico Red Pearlcoat•black85,369 mi$30,900Countryside Pre-Owned
Jackson, GA
Used2018 Ram 1500
Express
Bright Silver Clearcoat Metallic•Diesel Gray/Black35,080 mi$23,478Curry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
Ram 1500 vs Ram Dakota FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2011 Ram Dakota?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ram 1500 vs 2011 Ram Dakota on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2011 Ram Dakota?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2011 Ram Dakota starts lower at $23,210. Live Ram 1500 listings start at $899.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2011 Ram Dakota?
- The 2011 Ram Dakota leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,210).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2011 Ram Dakota?
- The 2027 Ram 1500 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (22).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2011 Ram Dakota?
- The 2027 Ram 1500 leads on horsepower in this comparison (540).
- Which has better seats: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2011 Ram Dakota?
- The 2027 Ram 1500 leads on seats in this comparison (6).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2011 Ram Dakota?
- The 2027 Ram 1500 leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (11,140).