The current Dodge Dakota is 218.9″ long, 71.7″ wide, on a 131.1″ wheelbase, weighing 4,374 lb. Since 1987 it has grown 12% in length and gained 37% in weight. At 18.2 feet it fits a standard garage and overhangs a street parking space.
Every Dodge Dakota generation, measured
One row per generation. Watch the weight column — that is where most of the change happens for the Dodge Dakota, 1,182 lb of it since 1987, and it is the number that decides fuel use, tyre wear and how far the car takes to stop.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–1989 | 195.3″ | 71.3″ | 62.6″ | 118.9″ | 3,192 lb |
| 1990–1992 | 204.3″ | 69.7″ | 64.2″ | 124″ | 3,307 lb |
| 1993–1996 | 207.5″ | 69.7″ | 66.1″ | 124″ | 3,450 lb |
| 1997 | 215″ | 71.7″ | 65.7″ | 124″ | 3,525 lb |
| 1998–1999 | 209.8″ | 71.7″ | 66.9″ | 124″ | 3,556 lb |
| 2000–2004 | 209.4″ | 71.7″ | 67.3″ | 131.1″ | 3,781 lb |
| 2005–2010 | 218.9″ | 71.7″ | 68.9″ | 131.1″ | 4,374 lb |
From 1987 to today the Dakota gained 23.6″ of length (12%) and 1,182 lb of weight (37%). A modern compact often outweighs the mid-size car of a generation before.
Dakota year by year
Measured every model year, not just at generation changes — 24 years on record for the Dodge Dakota. Small moves inside a generation are facelifts; the jumps are the 7 new platforms below.
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 218.9″ | 71.7″ | 131.1″ | 4 | |
| 2009 | 218.9″ | 71.7″ | 131.1″ | 6 | |
| 2008 | 218.9″ | 71.7″ | 131.1″ | 6 | |
| 2007 | 218.9″ | 71.7″ | 131.1″ | 6 | |
| 2006 | 218.9″ | 71.7″ | 131.1″ | 6 | |
| 2005 | 218.9″ | 71.7″ | 131.1″ | 6 | |
| 2004 | 203.5″ | 71.7″ | 124.8″ | 6 | |
| 2003 | 203.5″ | 71.7″ | 124.8″ | 6 | |
| 2002 | 203.5″ | 71.7″ | 124.8″ | 6 | |
| 2001 | 203.1″ | 71.7″ | 124.8″ | 6 | |
| 2000 | 203.1″ | 71.7″ | 124.8″ | 6 | |
| 1999 | 202″ | 71.7″ | 122″ | 5 | |
| 1998 | 202″ | 71.7″ | 122″ | 5 | |
| 1997 | 207.5″ | 71.7″ | 122″ | 5 | |
| 1996 | 201.6″ | 69.3″ | 122.4″ | 6 | |
| 1995 | 201.6″ | 69.7″ | 122.4″ | 6 | |
| 1994 | 201.6″ | 69.7″ | 122.4″ | 6 | |
| 1993 | 201.6″ | 69.3″ | 122.4″ | 6 | |
| 1992 | 198.4″ | 69.7″ | 122.4″ | 6 | |
| 1991 | 197.2″ | 69.7″ | 122.4″ | 6 | |
| 1990 | 197.2″ | 69.7″ | 120.5″ | 5 | |
| 1989 | 195.3″ | 71.3″ | 118.1″ | 4 | |
| 1988 | 195.3″ | 71.3″ | 118.1″ | 4 | |
| 1987 | 195.3″ | 71.3″ | 118.5″ | 4 |
Will a Dakota fit
The practical question behind every dimensions search, and for a 18.2-foot Dodge Dakota it has a straight answer. A single-car garage in the US is typically 20 feet deep and a street parking space about 18, so the Dakota clears the garage by 0.8 ft. We allow a foot of clearance in both — nobody parks to the millimetre.
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 18.2 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 18.2 ft | Overhangs — expect a tight squeeze |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 6 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Compared with 208 vehicles within ten inches of the same length — a fair proxy for «cars of this size», regardless of what the marketing calls them.
| Measure | This car | Typical car of this length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 71.7″ | 78.3″ | -6.6″ |
| Wheelbase | 131.1″ | 127.2″ | +3.9″ |
| Curb weight | 4,374 lb | 4,791 lb | -417 lb |
A longer wheelbase for the same overall length means shorter overhangs — usually more cabin space and a steadier ride. At 4,374 lb the Dodge Dakota is 417 lb lighter than typical for its size, which generally shows up as fuel economy and stopping distance.
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
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How we measure
Dimensions come from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records — manufacturer-declared figures, held in metric and converted to inches and pounds for display, 24 measured model years for the Dodge Dakota between 1987 and 2010.
One row per generation, not per model year: manufacturers rarely change the body between facelifts, and the Dodge Dakota fits into 7 rows instead of 24. Where a generation offered several body styles, the figures are the base measurements for that generation of the Dodge Dakota.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Dodge Dakota?
218.9″ (18′ 3″) in its current generation, 71.7″ wide and 68.9″ tall.
How much does a Dodge Dakota weigh?
4,374 lb at the kerb, which is 37% more than the first generation we hold from 1987.
Will a Dakota fit in a garage?
At 18.2 feet it fits a standard 20-foot single garage with room to spare. A street parking space of 18 feet will be a squeeze.
Has the Dakota got bigger over the years?
Yes — 23.6″ longer and 1,182 lb heavier since 1987, across 7 generations. Weight grew 37%, far faster than length.
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