Ram has been noticeably absent from an important segment: The mid-size pickup truck class. The Dakota was discontinued in 2011, and it hasn't had a replacement since. But that's about to change.
Earlier this year, Ram confirmed that it will build a new mid-sizer to compete alongside the Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and others. The details are scarce, and its arrival is still several years away. But we expect information to begin trickling out now that the company has officially confirmed its mid-size truck's arrival.
That said, Ram's shrunken-down pickup likely won't go on sale until the 2028 model year, so the company still has plenty of time to figure out the details.
Until then, though, this is everything we know (so far) about Ram's new mid-size pickup.
What Will it Be Called?
Ram hasn’t announced the truck’s name, simply referring to it as its new mid-size pickup. The Dakota moniker is primed for a revival, even if it doesn’t really fit the brand’s current naming scheme. It was called the Ram Dakota just before production ended, shortly after Ram became a separate brand—and it makes the most sense to bring it back. We’d hate to see something boring like Ram 1200, a name that the company already uses in Mexico.
What Platform Will Underpin It?
Early rumors suggested that Ram might use the new STLA Large platform, a unibody architecture, for its mid-size truck. However, a recent report alleges the automaker will use a proper body-on-frame setup instead, possibly something similar to what underpins the Jeep Gladiator. That said, Ram may limit body styles to a four-door Crew Cab configuration.
Given that the automaker’s new STLA Frame architecture is designed for full-size trucks, it’s unclear if the same platform that underpins the 1500 would also work here. If so, it would give the Ram the right bones to be a true truck with off-road capability, differentiating it from unibody alternatives like the Honda Ridgeline.
Powertrain choices remain a mystery, but we suspect Ram would offer a range of four- and six-cylinder engines like other trucks in the segment. There might even be a hybrid option. Hell, if we’re lucky, we may even get a high-powered baby TRX, but most performance trucks in this space focus on off-road prowess instead of outright power.
What Will It Look Like?
We have yet to see Ram testing any prototypes, so the design is a mystery, but there are only so many ways to make a truck. The styling will undoubtedly borrow heavily from the new Ram 1500, likely shrinking the full-size truck’s proportions to fit on the smaller pickup.
It’ll likely have distinct design features, like unique lighting elements and cabin layout, and a variety of trim styles, wheel choices, and aftermarket upgrades. Inside, there should be at least two screens with the latest infotainment technology and connectivity features.
How Much Will It Cost?
If Ram wants its new mid-size truck to be competitive, it’ll likely start in the low-$30,000 range, with the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ford Ranger all starting between $30,000 and $35,000. We doubt Ram will want to be the most expensive option at a time when consumers are looking for more affordable alternatives.
It remains unclear if Ram aims to compete against trucks like the Ranger Raptor, Tacoma Trailhunter, and Colorado ZR2. However, if it does, Ram’s new mid-size truck could cost as much as $60,000 for a baby TRX.
The Ram 1500 RHO, which borrows several components from the last-generation TRX, starts at $70,000. A few of those pieces could trickle down to a mid-size sibling.
When Will It Debut?
Ram has confirmed that the new mid-size truck will launch sometime in 2027. The United Auto Workers Union 2023 tentative agreement with Stellantis revealed the proposed production date and the location, the automaker’s Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. However, it’s unclear exactly when in 2027 production will kick off.
Ram, first, has to reveal the thing, and that could happen within the next year. Earlier this year, the brand said it had over 24 product announcements planned for the next 18 months, and we expect one of those to be Ram’s new mid-size truck. But with production not expected to start for another two years, it’ll likely hit showrooms in the summer of 2027 as a 2028 model, finally giving Ram a new mid-size offering for the first time in over 15 years.
