1995 Dodge Dakota

The 1995 Dodge Dakota is little changed from the previous year.  Offered as both a regular cab (112-inch or 124-inch wheelbase with either a 6.5-foot or 8-foot bed) or extended Club Cab (131-inch wheelbase with 6.5-foot bed), the Dodge Dakota was available in four trims: base, the WS work model, Sport, and the high-end SLT.  All came standard with 2WD, with 4WD optional.  The Sport model featured a roof bar with lights for off-roading adventures.

The most notable change for 1995 was a Sport version of the Club Cab.  The engines remained the same: the relatively weak (for a pickup truck) 2.5-liter, 99-hp, the popular 3.9-liter, 175-hp, and the mopar-like 5.2-liter, 220-hp, V8, which blew all other pickups away.  Five-speed manual came standard, with optional 4-speed automatic.

The mid-size Dakota not only moved and hauled like a full-size, it was also one of the few pickups on the market that was strong on safety.  In 1995, it was still the first and one of the few to have driver's side airbags and anti-lock brakes.