Small Dodge trucks are a bit hard to find because there are only a handful of Dodge and Ram pickup trucks on the market of a small size. But, the compact trucks that are available offer impressive performance, towing capacity and interior.
Keep in mind that it would be hard to find a compact pickup for the US market made by Dodge Ram, but you can purchase them from other countries or used car markets. Let’s take a closer look at the best small Dodge and Ram trucks.
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Top 8 Small Dodge Trucks: A Complete List
If you’re looking for a smaller-sized pickup truck that can be used for work and family life, you can consider the top 8 Dodge trucks in the review below.
1. Dodge Dakota
| Engine Power | 3.7-liter Magnum V6
4.7-liter V8 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Towing Capacity | 3250 – 6350 lbs. |
| Horsepower/Torque | 210-310 hp / 235-330 pound-feet |
At the top of our list is the Dodge Dakota, which is one of the smallest modern Dodge trucks that you can purchase. It was initially released in 1987 and was a popular choice as people were interested in compact trucks. Then in 2009, it became part of Ram, and by 2011, it was discontinued due to low demand.
Luckily, Ram has announced that they will be producing a new Dakota pickup. This would be on the market by the end of 2023 for anyone that is looking for a small truck. The dimensions of the Dakota are 68.11 inches in width, 202.7 inches in length and 67 inches in height. It also has between 3250 and 6350 pounds of towing capacity, depending on the powertrain.
You can expect different features like a 360-degree camera, navigation touchscreens, a Uconnect information system, a cargo management system, adaptive cruise control, guided parking, and different driver-assisted software. It is also speculated that the new Ram Dakota will have elements of small trucks that are mostly sold in South America.
2. Ram 1500
| Engine Power | Diesel V6, 5.7-liter Hemi V8 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Towing Capacity | 12,750 lbs. |
| Horsepower/Torque | 260 hp / 480 pound-feet |
Next on our list is the Ram 1500, one of the most popular Dodge trucks with a small size. The size of the pickup actually differs based on the cab and bed that you choose, allowing you to customize the truck however you want. There are six different trims you can choose from, and you might notice that the Ram 1500 is bigger than the other options on this list.
Despite this, they are still the smallest Dodge Ram trucks that are distributed to the US market specifically. For the Limited, Laramie and Limited Longhorn trims, you can purchase the Crew Cab size and choose between a 5’7” or 6’4” box. Then, the BigHorn is the cheapest and allows you to choose a quad cab with a 6’4” box.
Another option is the Rebel trim, and this is only available with the 5’7” box. You can also enjoy towing capabilities of the Ram 1500s, as these trucks are highly powerful. From the 2023 Ram 1500, you get a towing capacity of up to 12,750 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,320 pounds. Even with the Crew Cab, you can still tow up to 11,500 pounds.
The Ram 1500 offers more features, especially on the higher trims that will better resemble a luxury car. You get features like heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, genuine wood accents, leather surfaces, and a lot of interior storage. There is also an 8.4-inch touchscreen and an optional 12.0-inch, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
3. Dodge D100
| Engine Power | 3.8-liter 3772 cc or 5.2-liter V8 5213 cc |
| Dimensions | 114 to 122 inches wheelbase |
| Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs |
| Horsepower/Torque | 119-202 hp / 202-290 pound-feet |
If you’re interested in a vintage pickup of a very small size, you can consider the Dodge D100. This truck is from the 1960s, and it would be hard to find it online, but you can check out vintage car markets. It is a half-ton pickup that is much smaller than most of the pickup trucks you will find today and features an old-school look you might love.
The Dodge D100 features a wheelbase of 114 inches, but there is another model which offers up to 122 inches. Despite being released in the 1960s, the D100 offers impressive power with a horsepower of 119 hp at 3,600 rpm; this is due to its 3.8-liter 3772 cc engine. Another version of the car comes with a 5.2-liter V8 5213 cc engine.
While the pickup is impressive for potential drivers, if you’re buying this vintage truck, it probably won’t be to drive it regularly. Aside from the engine, the half-ton truck also has an attractive appearance with a flat grille, a raised hood and two sets of lights. It was designed for durability, so if you get one from the vintage market, there’s a good chance it’s working great.
Since it’s a vintage vehicle, it might be hard to find information about the Dodge D100, and those who buy it wouldn’t use it for work or daily purposes since it’s not practical. But if you’re looking for a unique small Dodge truck, this would be a great choice.
4. Ram 700
| Engine Power | 1.3-liter I-4 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Towing Capacity | 882 lbs |
| Horsepower/Torque | 99 hp / 94 pound-feet |
Another small Dodge truck that you can consider buying, especially if you’re looking for something practical, is the Ram 700. This truck was first released and sold in 2014 in Mexico and will remind you of the Fiat Strada, as both are quite similar. The 2021 Ram 700 is a small truck but still offers a decent towing capacity and cargo pace.
The Ram 700 offers 40.63 cubic feet of cargo space, and you can purchase it in either two or four doors. Even with the small size, the towing capacity of the Dodge truck is 880 pounds, so you can still use it to tow small trailers. It can haul up to 1,632 pounds. If you want to tow heavy loads, this truck won’t be an ideal choice since it’s one of the smallest options on our list.
You can purchase the Ram 700 in three trims, which are SLT, Big Horn and Laramie. The Laramie trim features a 1.3-liter Firefly inline four-cylinder engine which produces 99 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of torque, so this is not a powerful truck if you are looking for one. It is unsure whether this truck will enter the US market soon.
As for the dimensions, the Ram 700 is only 176 inches long and 69 inches wide. The pickup are also well-equipped, with a 7.0-inch touchscreen model which supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
5. Ram 1500 Classic
| Engine Power | 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or 5.7-liter Hemi V8 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Towing Capacity | 4,560 – 10,620 lbs. |
| Horsepower/Torque | 305-395 hp / 296-410 pound-feet |
You can also consider the 2022 Ram 1500 Classic if you want a small Dodge pickup. The truck is available in three different trims, which include Tradesman, Express and Warlock. One of the highlights of this small truck is the engine power, as you can choose between the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi engine.
If you’re using the V8 Hemi engine, the 1500 Classic will give you 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, which is much higher than the other options on this list. You can also configure the size of the pickup in the Tradesman and Express trims, as they include Regular Cab, Crew Cab and Quad Cab in the 5’7” or 6’4” box.
The Ram 1500 Classic features a 120-inch wheelbase as a small truck, and you can get a towing capacity of up to 10,620 pounds for all things work and play-related. One of the highlights of the Classic truck is the frame, which is constructed with down-gauged steel. The steel is light to reduce its weight and improve fuel economy.
There are also infotainment and technology features that drivers can enjoy in the 1500 Classic. It features an 8.4-inch touchscreen and Uconnect technology for connecting the WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and more when you purchase the Electronics Group package. But, the standard system is a 5-inch infotainment system.
6. Ram 1200
| Engine Power |
|
| Dimensions |
|
| Towing Capacity | 1500 pounds |
| Horsepower/Torque | 130, 126-134 hp / 148 pound-feet |
The Ram 1200 is another top option on our list when considering small Dodge trucks, but it might be hard to get this truck except in used car markets or if you ship it from outside the country. That is because the truck is only sold in Mexico, United Arab Emirates and South America. The Ram 1200s were first released in Brazil and were designed after the Fiat Toro.
The front of the Ram 1200 looks more like an SUV than a pickup vehicle, but with the bed and the handling, you’ll quickly remember the kind of car you are driving. It features a decent towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. This makes the truck suitable for work and family. You can also choose between the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the 2.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engines.
As for the dimensions of the Ram 1200, they are 206.5 inches or 221.4 inches long, depending on the one you purchase, 68.9 inches high and 70.2 inches wide. There aren’t as many accessories as you would expect for a truck in the US market, but it still offers all you need for handling, power and towing, especially for a small truck.
When purchasing the Ram 1200, you can choose between the single-cab and double-cab versions. The single cab model is designed with a 7.4-foot bed, while the double cab has a four-door design and a 5.0-foot bed. You can also choose between two-wheel or four-wheel drive.
7. Ram 1000
| Engine Power | 2.0-liter Multijet II Turbo Diesel l4 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Towing Capacity | 882 lbs. |
| Horsepower/Torque | 170 hp / 258 pound-feet |
The Ram 1000, especially the 2023 Ram 1000 Rebel, is another top choice for a small Dodge truck, although this is also concentrated in the South American markets. It was first released to the world in 2018 and will remind you a lot of a Fiat Toro, with its compact, SUV-like design on the front. The Ram 1000 is pretty affordable with a decent engine.
Despite being a pickup, the 2023 Ram 1000 also comes with an off-road-oriented package that will appeal to some drivers. The compact pickup also offers a four-door configuration and a 4×4 capability. It has a wheelbase of 121.1 inches. The towing capacity is 882 pounds which is quite low but expected for the small truck.
If you’re thinking of hauling a load instead, the payload capacity is 2,200 pounds. As for the interior, there’s a lot of customization available to users. You get a standard 7-inch full digital cluster screen as standard, while the Rebel features a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen displayed vertically as optional and a standard 8.4-inch touchscreen.
The digital cluster allows you to view three profiles like the vehicle status, alerts and instructions while driving. It also has a new Advanced Driver-Assistant System that will appeal to you. There are some safety features on the Ram 1000, like autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning.
8. Dodge Rampage
| Engine Power | 2.0-liter turbocharged Hurricane I-4 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Towing Capacity | 1,145 pounds |
| Horsepower/Torque | 270 hp / 295 pound-feet |
Rounding up our list is the Dodge Rampage, also a popular small truck that dates back to the 1980s. It was recently launched by Ram as Ram Rampage, but first in the South American market. It is expected that it will soon be added to the US lineup. The Ram Rampage is a small, unibody pickup truck that is based on the Chrysler L platform.
The Ram Rampage is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged Hurricane I-4, which you might fondly find in cars in the US market. But, the interior design is different from most cars you might be used to. It is a sleek and technologically advanced unit. Also, the 2024 model was made to meet the requirements of South American markets, reducing the hopes of US buyers.
Based on the rumors, the Ram Rampage will be built in Mexico but sold in America by the end of 2023. The Rampage also uses gas and diesel, and there are rumors of an electric version coming online soon. Other features of the Ram Rampage are the black contrast grille, side mirrors, badges, headlights, wheels and roof.
It comes with RAM badges on the grille and tailgate, with slim headlights and a 4×4 tailgate badge. The exact dimensions of the 2024 Ram Rampage are unknown, but if it’s anything like the older Dodge Rampage, it is 183.8 inches long, 66.8 inches wide and 51.7 inches height.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for small Dodge trucks, you might be disappointed to know that there isn’t a lot available on the US markets aside from the Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic.
Here’s a summary of our review below:
- The Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic are full-sized pickups but still, the smallest Dodge trucks you can find for the US market.
- Most of the Dodge and Ram vehicles that are really small are either not available in the US or have been discontinued.
- The D100 truck is from the 1960s and is a vintage, very small pickup that might not meet your daily needs.
- The Dodge Rampage and Dakota were popular small pickup trucks before they were discontinued but they have come back as Ram models.
The best thing to do if you want a small Dodge truck is to either purchase the Ram 1500 or 1500 Classic or wait out for the Dakota and Rampage to be released in the US.
References
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