More Details Emerge On The South American Ram Dakota

Ram is preparing to grow its footprint in South America with the introduction of the 2027 Ram Dakota, a mid-size pickup designed to slot between the compact Rampage and the full-size Ram 1500. First previewed with the Dakota Nightfall Concept in São Paulo, the new truck is now inching closer to reality.

Recent reports from our friends at Autos Segredos reveal fresh details about the production model, giving us a better picture of what South American customers can expect when the Dakota rolls into showrooms.

Trim Levels: Balancing Practical and Premium – 

At launch, the Dakota will be offered in two distinct trims: Big Horn and Laramie Night Edition.

The Big Horn is positioned as the mainstream choice, catering to customers seeking an everyday workhorse that combines capability with value. Meanwhile, the Laramie Night Edition will deliver a more premium feel, with added comfort and urban-inspired styling cues that cater to lifestyle-oriented buyers. This two-trim strategy mirrors Ram’s broader approach across its global lineup, offering versatility to appeal to both traditional truck owners and those who prioritize refinement.

Powertrain: Diesel Performance at Its Core – 

Under the hood, both trims will share a common powerplant: the 2.2-liter Multijet II turbodiesel inline-four. This engine is already familiar to South American customers through its use in the Ram Rampage and Jeep® Compass, proving its reliability and performance credentials with 200 horsepower (149 kW) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque.

Mated to this engine is a ZF 8HP50 8-speed automatic transmission, a highly regarded gearbox known for its smooth shifts and durability. Standard across the lineup will be a 4×4 drivetrain, ensuring the Dakota is ready for both rugged work environments and recreational off-road adventures.

This setup underscores Ram’s commitment to delivering a truck that blends efficiency with real-world toughness—traits highly valued in South America, where diesel pickups remain the backbone of the segment.

Built on a Proven Platform – 

Unlike some competitors that have embraced unibody designs for their midsize trucks, the Dakota will remain true to its roots with a body-on-frame (BoF) construction. This approach ensures greater strength and durability, essential for towing, hauling, and off-road use.

The truck shares its underlying architecture with the Fiat Titano, another Stellantis offering built at the Córdoba Assembly Plant in Argentina. By leveraging this platform, Stellantis can maintain competitive costs while tailoring the Dakota to embody the Ram brand’s signature identity.

Exterior Design: A True Ram Face – 

While the Dakota may share bones with the Fiat Titano and Chinese-market Changan Hunter, Ram designers have worked to give it a distinctly Ram look and feel.

At the front, the Dakota features an exclusive hood design and a bold Ram grille with the iconic centered logo. Lighting technology will include double LED projectors for both high and low beams, complemented by vertical auxiliary lamps in the bumper. A skid plate with honeycomb-style mesh finishes off the aggressive, functional front end.

From the side, wider fender flares set the Dakota apart from its platform siblings, providing a more muscular and planted stance. At the rear, the LED taillights will adopt a design reminiscent of the Changan Hunter but tuned for Ram’s premium look. Practicality is also built in, with a gas-spring-assisted tailgate to simplify loading and unloading.

Interior: Raising the Bar in Refinement – 

If the exterior design is about toughness, the interior is all about modern refinement. Unlike the Fiat Titano, which leans heavily on the Ram 1200’s design, the Dakota is expected to adopt a cabin more closely aligned with the updated Changan Hunter—but with Ram-exclusive touches.

Key highlights include:

• A dual-screen setup, with a digital instrument cluster and a dedicated infotainment display.

• A synthetic material finish across the dashboard for a more upscale appearance.

• Unique horizontal air vents set the Dakota apart from its platform siblings.

• A high center console featuring Ram’s signature rotary gear selector, a wireless charging pad, and generous storage under the armrest.

This interior approach positions the Dakota to compete not just on capability, but also on comfort and technology—two areas increasingly important to midsize truck buyers in South America.

Launch Timing and Model Year Strategy – 

Ram has confirmed that the Dakota will debut as a 2027 model year vehicle, skipping a 2026 designation. Production will begin in Argentina in late 2025, with Brazil following in early 2026.

By entering the market as a 2027 model, Ram positions the Dakota to compete directly against established rivals like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet S10, all of which dominate the region’s midsize segment.

A Truck for South America, Not the U.S. – 

For Ram fans in North America, it’s important to note that this South American Dakota is not the truck promised for the U.S. and Canadian markets. While the Dakota for Argentina and Brazil builds upon Stellantis’ global partnerships with Fiat and Changan, the upcoming midsize Ram for North America will be an entirely different vehicle, designed specifically to meet the expectations of U.S. and Canadian buyers.

This distinction makes sense, given the very different demands of the two markets.

Thoughts – 

The 2027 Ram Dakota looks to be more than just another badge-engineered midsize pickup. With a proven diesel powertrain, BoF construction, rugged styling, and a technology-focused interior, it’s clear Ram intends the Dakota to be a serious contender in South America’s competitive truck market.

If these details hold true, the Dakota could become a cornerstone product for Ram in the region, appealing to both traditional truck buyers and those seeking a more premium driving experience. While North American customers will have to wait for their own midsize Ram, the South American Dakota is shaping up to be a smart, capable, and stylish addition to Ram’s global lineup.