The Dakota shares its styling themes with the full-size Dodge Ram and Durango SUV. All three share the retro big-rig grille motif and bulging fenders that have become trademarks of the Dodge Truck brand. Still, Dakota boasts sharper, crisper lines and flatter planes than its relatives; and its grille is laid back, not vertical. The front fender lines are deliberately extended halfway along the length of the door. The rear fenders reflect the fronts with bulges that extend all the way to the rear of the truck. The intersection of the front fenders with the multi-element, twin-lens headlamps and raked grille makes the whole design work beautifully.

Sport models have a body color grille and side trim, TRX models have black fender flares and body trim, and Laramies have chrome trim.

Added for 2008 are built-in utility rails for the cargo box that provide unlimited attachment points for tiedowns. Cargo box top protection is also newly available.

Visual changes for 2008 include a grille that is more integrated into the hood, which also has new character lines. The front fenders also now extend over the headlights and are trimmed with bright surrounds. The changes are subtle, but noticeable.

A coil-over-shock independent front suspension is used on both 2WD and 4WD models, with conventional leaf springs at the rear. All models come with front and rear tow hooks and tie-downs in the bed.