2027 Ram Dakota Midsize Pickup Truck: Everything We Know

Ram doesn’t just want a midsize truck; the automaker is already well on its way to launching a smaller pickup in 2027.

“We’re a truck brand, and we don’t have a compact or a midsize truck,” Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis said earlier this year. “It’s kinda disingenuous to call me a truck brand, isn’t it? I need a midsize truck for sure. I’m not telling you I’m going to have it in six months, but I desperately want it, and there is a market for it.”

The midsize truck segment has long been lucrative for rival brands like Toyota, Ford, and GM. The Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevy Colorado have been strong performers in the segment, with Toyota selling over 200,000 Tacomas annually and Ford achieving similar numbers with the Ranger and Maverick combined. GM's midsize offerings account for around 140,000 sales annually.

Ram hasn’t offered a smaller-sized truck since the Dakota went out of production in 2011—here’s everything we know so far.

What Will Ram Call Its 2027 Midsize Truck?

There’s no official name yet, but “Dakota” is a front-runner. Ram plans to use the Dakota name on a South American market truck it plans to produce in Argentina. Another possible name includes Rampage. Speculation has been fuelled by the automaker officially securing a U.S. design patent for the pickup it currently sells outside the United States.

Dakota does have a strong heritage with contemporary shoppers and could bridge nostalgic appeal with modern tech.

What Platform Will Ram's 2027 Midsize Truck Use?

The new truck will use a body-on-frame platform rather than a unibody design. It’s thought the truck will ride on a version of Stellantis’ STLA Frame— the same platform that will underpin the Ram 1500 Ramcharger.

Of course, it’s also possible it shares its bones with the Jeep Gladiator, which is a rumor that goes all the way back to 2019.

Where Will Ram Build Its 2027 Midsize Truck

Production is expected for Stellantis’ idled Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant. Speculation has popped up recently that the midsize truck could be produced alongside the Jeep Gladiator in Toledo if it does in fact share underpinnings with the JT. It could also potentially roll off the line at the Warren Assembly Plant alongside the Ram 1500.

Warren has excess capacity and used to be the Dakota’s former home. The Belvidere plant requires a complete retool to produce a body-on-frame truck; it wouldn’t be the first time Stellantis/FCA has changed its mind.

What Engine Will Ram's 2027 Midsize Truck Use?

Ram plans to offer a variety of powertrain types: traditional internal combustion and plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It’s unlikely we see a full battery-electric version of Ram’s 2027 midsize truck, considering Stellantis recently scrapped multiple EV-related projects, including the all-electric Ram 1500 and, most recently, the Jeep Gladiator 4xe PHEV.

How Will Ram's 2027 Midsize Truck Look?

Stellantis leadership has confirmed that physical clay models have already been built, not just sketches. The design process is progressing. It's possible the U.S. design shares similarities with the incoming South American market Ram Dakota (pictured) or the Ram Rampage.

How Much Will The 2027 Ram Midsize Truck Cost?

Ram will need to be aggressive to carve out space in a crowded market. Industry people expect the base model to start in the low-to-mid $30,000s, which is about where the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger both start. That should give the midsizer enough breathing room to avoid any cannibalization concerns with the base Ram 1500, which starts at $41,025 in 2026.

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