2005 Dodge Dakota Review

Name: 2005 Dodge Dakota Review
Brand: Dodge
Rating: 4.3 (117 reviews)

2005 Dodge Dakota 2dr Club Cab Laramie 4WD SB

+47

Used Dakota for sale

$2,024 - $3,127

3 listings

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Dodge Dakota model years

Dodge Dakota for Sale

Dodge Dakota types

Club Cab
Quad Cab

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Strong engine lineup, choice of part-time or full-time four-wheel drive, comfortable and refined interior, nimble handling.

Cons

No long bed or single cab models, club cab's backseat offers barely passable comfort for adults.

What’s new

The midsize Dodge Dakota is all new for 2005. Improvements include a hydroformed boxed steel frame, a coil-over front suspension, three excellent engine options, a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission, revised styling and improved build quality.

Edmunds says

Refinement appears to be the magic word at Dodge these days, and it shows in the all-new 2005 Dodge Dakota. Excellent powertrain options, nimble suspension and a well thought-out interior score major points, but the aggressive styling isn't for everyone.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Dodge Dakota 4dr Club Cab ST Rwd SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$272/mo

$246/mo

Avg. Compact Truck

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Dodge Dakota.

5 (51%)

4 (28%)

3 (16%)

2 (5%)

1 (0%)

4.3

117 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 117 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

great mid size with heart of a full size

daveydoo, 01/01/2015

2005 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab SLT Rwd SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Perfect size for urban areas. Has 4.7L with 5 speed transmission with normal maintenance is still strong. Returning 16.2 combined driving. With 138631 miles I had to replace front shocks and rebuild front suspension due to feeling floaty and steering no too crisp. Interior is perfect for four full size adults.

260,000 miles and going strong

Kathy F., 12/29/2018

2005 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab Laramie 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 4A)

I've owned my Dakota since it had 5,000 miles on it. I used it to commute 100 miles a day. Now, I use it for weekend use. When it had 200,000 miles on it, I bought tires. The mechanic tried to talk me into ones that would last for 90,000 miles and I laughed because the truck had so many miles on it. Looks like I may have to put a new set of tires on it. I love, love, love this …

It rocks

mrwilliematt, 02/02/2005

2005 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab Laramie 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 4A)

Just bought a 2005 Dodge Dakota Larimie Quad Cab 4WD, V8. I traded in a 2003 Dakota Quad Cab 2WD with the 3.9 V6. The 2005 rides, handles, and sounds way better than the 2003. I also gets better mileage. I am getting around 17 on the 2005 compared to 15 on the 2003. I know a lot of people do not care for the looks of this truck but as a driver it is light years ahead on the previous …

Driving 2005 Dakota 4x4 QuadCab 8 Years

cool_breeze1, 05/31/2015

2005 Dodge Dakota 4dr Quad Cab ST 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 4A)

I would call this an average vehicle with average performance and average reliability. Gas mileage, performance, comfort, reliability not awful but not great, mostly in the middle leaning towards the better side. I have the towing package and hear that the truck is great for its size, however I have never towed with it, owned it since 2007 and do not know whether previous owner …

See all 117 reviews of the Dodge Dakota

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2005 Dakota Highlights

Type:

Club Cab

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$19,885
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	16 MPG
Cost to Drive	$272/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Dakota include:

Alarm

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Poor

2005 Dodge Dakota Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Dodge Dakota 4dr Club Cab ST Rwd SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Dodge Dakota.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

great mid size with heart of a full size

260,000 miles and going strong

It rocks

Driving 2005 Dakota 4x4 QuadCab 8 Years

2005 Dakota Highlights

Safety

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Join Edmunds

2005 Dodge Dakota Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Dodge Dakota 4dr Club Cab ST Rwd SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Most helpful consumer reviews

great mid size with heart of a full size

260,000 miles and going strong

It rocks

Driving 2005 Dakota 4x4 QuadCab 8 Years

2005 Dakota Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2005 Dodge Dakota info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Dodge Dakota 4dr Club Cab ST Rwd SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}