Jump LinksThe R/T Trim Was Rather Short-LivedDon't Try Taking The R/T To A TrackThe era of the midsize truck is well and truly back, with offerings such as the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma all seeing drastic increases in sales. Chevy managed to shift 10% more Colorados throughout 2025, while Ford and Toyota managed to sell an impressive 37.5% and 42.4% more of their midsize truck challengers, respectively. The lighter and more efficient machines are proving ideal for a modern world obsessed with fuel efficiency and cleanliness.Dodge was once part of this fight, with its Dakota model. Should dropping north of $30,000 on a new midsize truck sound less appealing, then Dodge's performance-focused offering from the late 1990s is worth considering. This piece explores the background and technical makeup of the 1998-2003 Dodge Dakota R/T, the performance version of the pickup truck. We also investigate how much they're worth on the used market in 2026 and look at the Dakota's upcoming return. The Dakota R/T Brought A Bit Of Pace To Dodge's Midsize Workhorse Dodge In the 1990s, there were few options if you wanted a smaller midsize truck with some claws hidden behind its softer exterior. Ford released a few special editions of its Ranger, though it held back from equipping the model with a larger or more powerful engine than its siblings. Toyota didn't enter the arena until the turn of the new millennium, while Chevy's S-10 SS only lasted a single year before it was put out to pasture. Dodge spotted an opportunity and decided to offer a more sporting version of its Dakota midsize called the R/T.The trim was exclusively available with the huge 5.9-liter Magnum V8 engine, as well as a set of enlarged chrome wheels to make it look a little spicier. Dodge decided to take the sleeper route for the most part with the R/T's styling, though, with body-colored bumpers and prominent R/T badges peppered on the front fenders being the only tells that this truck wasn't any ordinary Dakota. It was also graced with upgraded tires to take some extra punishment, while an improved premium audio system and sports seats were also included as amenities for your $26,000. The R/T Trim Was Rather Short-Lived DodgeIntroduced in 1998, the Dakota R/T was offered for five years before being axed in 2003. This was shortly prior to the third-generation Dakota's debut in 2004, and the R/T was nowhere to be seen. In truth, the Dakota struggled to find favor with buyers at the time, so Dodge had a job on its hands just selling normal ones, let alone a range-topping performance-focused variant. Still, those who managed to get one could look forward to a dose of muscle added to their morning commute. Dodge's Magnum Powerplant Offered A Welcomed Slice Of Excitement Bring a Trailer The naturally aspirated V8 unit wasn't the most powerful truck engine around, with it lacking well over 100 horsepower compared to Ford's F-150 SVT Lightning that was unleashed around the same time. Still, 250 hp was nothing to be sniffed at, and neither was its 345 pound-feet of torque. The latter figure was arguably more of interest in a workhorse such as the Dakota anyway, and its 0-60 mph dash of seven seconds was a handy benefit. The power was sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox.The extra pulling power was handy for those looking to carry out heavier-duty jobs with their Dakota, too, with the R/T version affording a 10,500-pound GCWR weight limit by its more commanding V8. This put it a considerable 1,300 pounds ahead of the 5.2-liter V8-equipped Dakota, illustrating this performance truck was far from all bark and no bite. Don't Try Taking The R/T To A Track Dodge While Dodge's R/T trim tends to be associated with the manufacturer's fully upgraded muscle cars, which get handling refinements alongside their power increases, don't get your hopes up for this treatment with the Dakota R/T. The trim was very much envisioned as simply a more powerful and slightly more aggressive-looking version of the standard truck, with the truck's first priority to remain a dependable workhorse. This was in deference to other high-powered trucks like the SVT Lightning, which was tuned to handle much more effectively than a standard F-150.As a result, if you tried to show your Dakota R/T the twists and turns of a race track like Willow Springs in California, it would handle exactly like a traditional wallowy truck. Who cares, though? If you wanted a machine that tames apexes, you'd probably buy a performance car of some description anyway. Tidy Dakota R/T's Can Be Had For Around Half The Price Of A New Base Midsize Truck Dodge Still interested? Then you'll find a fair amount of money left over from the roughly $32,000 you'd have had to spend on an entry-level 2026 Colorado or Ranger if you opt for this used hero. Trucks with average mileage given their age can be found for between $10,000 and $15,000, with the average sale price of the vehicle nestling just below the $15,000 mark. A good example of such a specimen is a later 2002 Dakota finished in silver, offered for $16,995 with a little over 93,000 miles on the clock.Expect to hand over closer to the price of a modern midsize truck if you want one with extremely low mileage, while some extremely well-used specimens, or ones in rougher shape, can be found for beneath the $10,000 barrier. We found a 1999 truck that recently sold for $6,600. It had 98,000 miles on the odometer, though it badly needed a new paint job due to its badly faded original coating. Mopar fans looking for a midsize truck with a bit of bite could be perfectly suited to the machine, though something more modern is on the horizon. Ram Is Resurrecting The Dakota Very Soon Stellantis The Dakota soldiered on until 2011 before it was discontinued, with Dodge struggling to shift as many as it ultimately wanted. The rise of the midsize truck market represents another opportunity, though, and Ram is looking to take advantage of this. The marque recently confirmed that the Dakota nameplate will return after 15 years on the sidelines, and with a durable body-on-frame chassis forming the foundation for the model.Don't get your hopes up for a performance version, though, at least initially. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis told Australian publication The Drive that it was focusing on affordability with the new Dakota, and that it would need to be priced under $40k. That said, if sales of the new truck end up smashing targets, then perhaps Ram may develop a special model. It and fellow Stellantis brands Dodge and Jeep have been allowed to run wild with the freshly resurrected SRT department in recent times, so perhaps one day the Dakota could get the same treatment. In the meantime, Dodge's used 1990s V8 truck fills the hole.