Ram has not offered a midsize truck since the Dodge/Ram Dakota left production in 2011. But earlier this year, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa confirmed that Ram would get a midsize truck. And in October, Stellantis confirmed, as part of its $13 billion American investment plan, that Ram will build the new truck alongside the Jeep Gladiator in Toledo. What we haven’t had thus far is a name for the new truck. But we have one now.
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The Dakota Is Back
Ram Dakota Nightfall concept for South AmericaRam
Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis’s head of brands in North America, spoke to media members at an event in Detroit. He confirmed that Ram will be taking the path of least resistance regarding the midsizer’s name. The brand is reviving the Dakota nameplate.
“Yeah, it’ll be called a Dakota. It’s a no-brainer, though, right? Why wouldn’t you call it a Dakota?”
What We Know About The Ram Dakota
2026 Ram Dakota Nightfall concept frontStellantis
Ram hasn’t revealed many details about the midsize Dakota yet. Moving production to Toledo from Belvidere strongly suggests it will be a body-on-frame vehicle with at least some connection to the next-generation Jeep Gladiator. Other reports have suggested, however, the two trucks will be wholly separate. Prior to all this, there had been speculation that the new truck would be unibody. But Dakota is confirmed to have a full frame under its truck bod.
As for why Ram “wouldn’t” call its midsizer Dakota, things could be a little confusing. Earlier this year, Ram debuted the Dakota Nightfall concept truck, looking quite good with its muscular haunches. But it previews a pickup truck for South America, and though it was never confirmed, it appears to share quite a bit with the Peugeot Landtrek. For obvious reasons, that truck probably wouldn’t fly in the US market. So it seems there will be two completely different midsize Ram trucks with the same name.
Ram Dakota Nightfall concept for South AmericaRam
The Stellantis UAW agreement noted Jeep overhauling the Wrangler for 2028 and offering a range-extended EREV powertrain. The original plans called for an all-electric version, but one suspects Stellantis could offer a combustion version instead. It’s a good bet that Ram’s truck would arrive a bit after the Jeep vehicles and offer the same powertrain options.
2025 RAM 1500 RHORAM
Ram has not revealed pricing for the new truck yet. But we can expect it will slot below the Ram 1500, which currently starts at $41,575. The 2026 Toyota Tacoma has base trims beginning in the $30,000s and upper-level trims in the $40,000s, which feels like a good benchmark for where the Ram Dakota’s price tag will land.
The 2026 Ram Dakota
Segment
Midsize Truck
Platform
Body-On-Frame
Powertrain
EREV/TBD
Arrival Date
2028 (estimated)
Starting MSRP
$30,000 (estimated)
The Ram Dakota Is Not The Only New Vehicle Ram Has In The Pipeline
2022 Ram 1500 TRXStellantis
Besides reviving its midsize truck, Ram has also confirmed another addition to the lineup: a full-size SUV. It should arrive by 2028. It will be distinct from the new Durango, which is finally coming under Dodge branding. Ram will build the new SUV alongside the Jeep Grand Wagoneer at Warren Truck Assembly. That likely suggests it will share a body-on-frame platform and potentially the range-extender hybrid setup with the Grand Wagoneer.
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Source: Ram
