Truckin' Editors Name All-New 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Truck of the Year
14 January 2000
Truckin' Editors Name All-New 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Truck of the Year
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 13 -- The all-new 2000 Dodge Dakota
Quad Cab(TM) has been named Truckin' magazine's "2000 Truck of the Year."
Rarely does a brand new vehicle sweep the entire truck industry by storm.
But according to Truckin' editors, Dodge's new Dakota Quad Cab is poised to
make such an impact on the light-truck market. The Dodge not only scored the
most points, it was unanimously voted the most fun to drive.
Dodge's recipe for success revolves around the 3-P theory: Power, People
and Payload.
"What an awesome package!" writes Kevin Wilson, McMullen Argus Truck Group
Editorial Director, in the February 2000 issue. "Styling, power, performance
and plenty of people room. The new modern motor delivers great power across
the rpm range. It has great interior room with seating for real adults both
front and rear. I'd buy one."
"The appeal of the Dodge Dakota Quad Cab isn't limited to any one group of
buyer," said Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Division. "Truckin' readers are
highly involved with their vehicles. To win Truckin' magazine's 2000 Truck of
the Year honors, gives the Quad Cab visibility to an important group of
buyers. We expect to see many personalized versions of the new Dakota in the
pages of Truckin'."
Eligibility for the Truckin' 2000 Truck of the Year is based on whether a
particular model is all new or substantially changed for the coming model
year.
Truck of the Year competitors were put through a variety of tests. Track
testing was conducted on the Streets of Willow road course at Willow Springs
Raceway in Rosamond, Calif. Besides conducting industry-standard tests such
as the standing quarter-mile, 0-60 acceleration and 60-0 braking, Hotchkis
Performance was enlisted to conduct a 600-foot slalom test.
When the results were tallied, Quad Cab took top honors.
"In terms of performance, the Dodge spanked the competition in the
quarter-mile with a 16.69 second clocking at 75.91 mph," the editors wrote.
"In 0-60 acceleration testing, the Quad Cab bested the field at 8.26 seconds
and was the most nimble in the 600-foot slalom with a speed of 59.55 mph. The
truck launched like a top fueler in the quarter and pulled strongly throughout
the rpm range. Rack-and-pinion steering and the (255/65R15) Goodyears helped
push the truck to top honors in the slalom."
Each tester was given plenty of seat time in each of the eligible trucks
to learn what it is like living with the vehicle on an everyday basis.
"I thought the Dakota was the most refined four-door pickup of the bunch,"
wrote Editor Dan Sanchez. "The doors open wider and you are actually
comfortable in the rear seat. Dodge did an excellent job keeping the Dakota
styling and using the pieces from the Durango to make this truck unique and
functional. The bed is actually useful and performance was high in all of our
test categories. I would seriously buy this truck."
According to Feature Editor Steve Warner: "The addition of the second set
of doors does not take away from the overall Dakota look. The flip-up rear
seat is remarkably comfortable."
Technical Editor Bob Ryder added: "The overall concept is great, being
able to transport more than two people comfortably with easy access to the
rear seat via a full-size, wide-opening rear door. When it comes to
acceleration, the Quad Cab kicks some serious butt. Dodge has come up with a
real winner."
And tester Allyson Harwood agreed. "The Dodge is not only a good looking
four door, it is a good-looking truck altogether. What a great back seat for
a truck, especially when compared to the competition. There was plenty of
room to stretch out both in the front and in the back. As for the engine ...
this Dakota is a real rocket."
Dodge Dakota is already the largest and widest truck in its class.
However, the 2000 Dakota Quad Cab creates a whole new segment in the compact
class with a reproportioned cab and cargo box.
The Quad Cab's passenger compartment is engineered to incorporate full-
size, front-hinged rear doors that open wide, along with rear seats that will
comfortably accommodate three adults.
With three-across seating available in the front, Quad Cab is the only
compact truck with six passenger seating. Split-folding rear seat cushions
easily fold up with one hand to make room for cargo, people or a combination
of both.
The pickup bed has been re-sized, yet still delivers the best payload-
carrying capacity of any compact domestic pickup. It has the largest bed of
all compact four-door trucks at five feet, three inches long.
With the only V-8 engines available in the compact truck segment -- a
choice of 235 horsepower 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 or 245 horsepower 5.9-liter
Magnum V-8 -- Dakota Quad Cab has more power to tow heavy loads than any other
compact four-door.