Ram Might Surprise Everyone With Its New Midsize Pickup

Midsize pickups offer the utility of having a cargo bed, but they’re also more easily maneuverable and generally less expensive than brands’ full-size or heavy-duty offerings. Customers already have options in the U.S., such as the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Range, GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, and Toyota Tacoma .

Ram has been absent from the crowded midsize truck segment since the Dakota’s retirement after the 2011 model year. As an alternative, the brand offered the Ram 1500 Classic, which was an earlier generation of the pickup available for thousands less than the base models of the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado . It gave Ram an intriguing alternative to building a new, smaller truck.

Ram announced the 1500 Classic’s retirement in 2024. Now, brand CEO Chris Feuell confirms there’s a smaller pickup on the horizon.

A New Dakota?​

Unfortunately, Feuell wasn’t willing to say much more about the midsize truck. She said the company had already decided on a platform for the pickup but indicated this info was a surprise announcement for later. She also indicated that reviving the Dakota model name was possible, but Ram hadn’t decided on a final moniker for this product yet. More details about the vehicle will come in 2025.

There’s still the possibility for the midsize truck to ride on a body-on-frame platform. However, Ram’s parent company, Stellantis, also has its unibody STLA Large and Medium underpinnings that could support a smaller pickup. The production timeline for the tinier Ram truck is also a mystery. According to an agreement with the United Auto Workers union, the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois might receive upgrades to support building this pickup. If that happens, then production could begin around 2027.

So far, there are no powertrain details, but Stellantis is engineering its new platforms to support purely combustion, hybrid, and even EV layouts. TopSpeed reached out to Ram for more details about the smaller pickup, but a spokesperson had no comment.

Article Courtesy of TopSpeed.com by Chris Bruce

 

[Terry1958]

I'd love to have a brand new 1993 Dakota Ext cab, 4x4 with V8. I wore my first one out.

 

[mikeru]

The problem I have with compact trucks is that I don't fit in them. And I'm not even that tall at 6'1". But I've driven lots of different brands and I am not comfortable in any of them for more than about 20 minutes.

My problem with midsize trucks is the price. They are way too expensive for what you're getting. For just a couple thousand more you could get a new full sized truck. I saw this with the 2019 Chevy Colorado ZR2 I was looking at. The one we test drove was spec'd at about $45k. We found a new 2019 Rebel for $48k. Why would someone spend $3k less for that much less truck?

 

[Docwagon1776]

We found a new 2019 Rebel for $48k. Why would someone spend $3k less for that much less truck?

Mid sized shouldn't be viewed as a money saver substitute, but as a different use case IMO. Suburban/urban it's just easier. Street parking is easier, more garages will fit you, etc. Small gas stations with tight turns are easier, etc.

Consider a 3/4 ton starts at not too much more of a premium over the 1/2.

 

[mikeru]

Mid sized shouldn't be viewed as a money saver substitute, but as a different use case IMO. Suburban/urban it's just easier. Street parking is easier, more garages will fit you, etc. Small gas stations with tight turns are easier, etc.

Consider a 3/4 ton starts at not too much more of a premium over the 1/2.

That's of course true for some. But in my opinion the majority of 1/2 ton truck buyers do not use them as trucks but more as cars with a bed for occasional trips to the building store, and a mid-sized truck would suffice for that purpose. I'm in that category. Most of my co-workers with 1/2 ton trucks are as well. I wouldn't have considered a mid-sized truck if it was for towing anything heavier than a small boat or tent trailer.

But people who buy an HD are more likely to use them as a truck for towing and hauling stuff more regularly. Not saying people don't buy them for daily driving but it's a much smaller percentage of HD owners than with 1/2 ton owners.

 

[Docwagon1776]

That's of course true for some. But in my opinion the majority of 1/2 ton truck buyers do not use them as trucks but more as cars with a bed for occasional trips to the building store, and a mid-sized truck would suffice for that purpose. I'm in that category. Most of my co-workers with 1/2 ton trucks are as well. I wouldn't have considered a mid-sized truck if it was for towing anything heavier than a small boat or tent trailer.

But people who buy an HD are more likely to use them as a truck for towing and hauling stuff more regularly. Not saying people don't buy them for daily driving but it's a much smaller percentage of HD owners than with 1/2 ton owners.

That's largely my point. People buy 1/2 ton because it's what (they think) best suits their needs, not as a cheaper version of the "more truck" 3/4 ton to save the $5k. The same mind set should apply to the mid.

I love my PW. I hate driving it in downtown Nashville.