2008 Dodge Dakota
Dodge fans who like the front end of the Nitro are in luck. A version of that chiseled, squared-off nose has made its way onto the Dakota for 2008. While it's a good look for the refreshed pickup, the Dakota SUV improves the look with chrome headlight surrounds. (As if there wasn't enough chrome available on the old Dakota.) Some might think this truck looks better with the base, body-color grille. If that doesn't pique your interest, consider this--the new 4.7-liter V-8 puts out 60 more horsepower (now up to 290) and 10 percent more torque than the previous High Output 4.7, and Dodge claims it'll have better fuel economy, too. (They didn't give us EPA city/highway estimates yet, so we have to take Dodge's word for it.) So, we ask the question Dodge must be asking as well: will these updates get people to buy midsize trucks again?