Since a redesign in 2005 and some major tweaking in ’07, Dodge Dakota for 2009 offers few changes from the ’08, with the re-naming of a couple of trims about the extent of them. The Dakota features four basic trim levels: ST, Bighorn/Lonestar (ex-STX), Laramie, and TRX4 (ex-Sport). The Dakota trims come in either Extended Cab or Crew Cab configurations, and each trim, except TRX4, offers a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The TRX4 is available only in 4WD.

All Dakota trims have a standard 3.7-liter V6 with electronic throttle control that puts out 210 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. This engine is harnessed to a standard six-speed manual transmission in the ST trim, while a four-speed automatic is standard in all other trims. The EPA estimates 16/20 mpg for RWD trims and 15/19 for 4WD with the 3.7-liter engine. The ‘09 Dakota also offers an optional 302-hp, 4.7-liter Flex Fuel V8 that powers out 329 lb-ft of torque and gets 14/19 in either RWD or 4WD. The optional V8 is available on all trims except the ST.

With no Regular Cab configuration (the Regular Cab was dropped in 2005 because of customer disinterest), Dakota’s Crew Cab is limited to a 5¼-foot bed, while the Extended Cab offers a 6½-foot bed.

Handling, comfort, and convenience standard features for the base ’09 Dakota ST include heavy duty shocks and suspension, a Class III tow hitch with four-pin harness, 16-inch steel wheels, front disc brakes and rear drum ABS, a front stabilizer bar, front bucket seats, a CD/MP3 player with four speakers, air-conditioning, tinted rear glass, a tachometer, and a tilt steering wheel.

The Bighorn/Lonestar trims feature 17-inch wheels, a four-speed automatic, cruise control, power windows, doors, and mirrors, Crate ‘N’ Go fold-up rear seat with storage, foglamps, and keyless entry. Laramies add 18-inch aluminum wheels, leather, a sliding rear window, remote start, and Sirius satellite radio.

The Dakota TRX4 is an off-road machine with its standard anti-spin differential rear axle, 16-inch wheels, skid plates protecting the fuel tank and transfer case, All-Terrain OWL tires, and a 3.92 axle ratio.

Options for the 2009 Dakota include the 4.7-liter V8, a five-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel ABS, a premium sound system with 276 watts of power going through seven Alpine speakers, a Class IV trailer hitch with seven-pin harness, the MyGig infotainment system, a universal garage door opener, and heated front seats.

Safety standards include rear ABS, driver and passenger airbags, and Brake/Park interlock. Supplemental side and side curtain airbags are available as well. The Insurance Institute for Highway safety gave the 2009 Dodge Dakota a “good” rating for frontal offset crash tests.