Did you like the front end of the Nitro? If so, you're in luck. That chiseled, squared-off nose -- well, a version of it, anyway -- has made its way onto the Dakota for 2008. While it's a good look for the pickup, the Dakota version adds a styling cue not included on the SUV: chrome headlight surrounds. As if there wasn't enough chrome available on the old Dakota. This truck now looks better with the base grille, which is also available keyed to the same color as the body.
If that doesn't pique your interest, consider this--the new 4.7-liter V-8 puts out 60 more horsepower (now up to 290) and 10 percent more torque than the previous High Output 4.7, and Dodge claims it'll have better fuel economy, too. (They didn't give us EPA city/highway estimates yet, so we have to take Dodge's word for it.) Does that take it out of the "gas sucker" category? More important, will these updates get people to buy midsize trucks again?