Unloaded, there's little chance the Dakota will make you think you're in

a sedan. But like most pickups, the ride gets better with a load in back.

Other aspects of comfort, like the decent seats and loads of front seat

room, make the Dakota just fine for all-around driving.

We think the Dakota's handling will feel pleasantly surprising, especially

to those familiar with bigger pickups. It has relentless straight-ahead

stability, yet it works well when the pavement takes a few turns, as well.

One important day-in, day-out aspect of handling is nimbleness, the ability

to deal with tight spaces and crowded conditions. Here, too, the Dakota

will be appreciated, where its tidier size allows it to fit easily through

traffic and into that last available spot in front of the grocery store.

In short, as with several other characteristics important to truck buyers,

the Dakota's just-right size seems to give it several advantages with few

apparent shortcomings.