Poor fuel economy probably ended the life of the R/T performance trim. Its 5.9-liter, 250-hp engine was discontinued in the 2004 Dodge Dakota, though speedy drivers and tuners loved that extra power in a mid-size truck. More practical, yet still packing a wallop, was the top of the line 4.7, 235-hp V8. It could haul like the full-size pickups and was fun to drive on open roads (or off-roading as well). The 3.9-liter, 175-hp V6 was updated to a 3.7-liter, 210-hp V6 as the standard engine on all models.

Introduced midyear in 2003, the Stampede package returned, available on both regular and extended cab Sports trims. The name is probably more exciting than the features, which included rear stabilizer bar, body-colored front and rear bumpers, and a Tire and Handling package. All models came with ABS standard, 2WD, with 4WD optional. Bed sizes hadn't changed. Regular and Club Cabs featured a 6.5-foot bed, while the 4-door Crew Cab had only a 5.3-foot bed, to account for the 13 inches of extra space in the cab for rear bench seats.

The 4-door Dodge Dakota was definitely the most successful pickup in its class, offering comfort and personality, a family car dressed up in a powerful pickup truck package. Though roomy and burly, resembling the larger Dodge Ram, the 2004 Dakota handled easily like a car, and with the 4.7 V8 and an empty bed, could kick up some considerable dust. High marks for the look, suspension, engine power, and the easy access to seats and storage in the 4-door models. Low marks for gas mileage (15/20), pricey options, and repair records.