A Ram midsize truck is coming in 2027 to bring the last of the American truck names to the class. This just seems right, especially if it has the right name.

Ram’s 2027 midsize truck will share factory space and likely DNA with the Jeep Gladiator in Toledo. This new Ram midsize truck could be called the Dakota, which would be a fitting name for the return to the market. Here’s why building alongside Jeep’s off-roader makes perfect sense for Ram’s $35,000-plus comeback truck after 16 years away from the midsize game.

The Ram Dakota return is a welcome addition

As pickup trucks have gotten bigger and more expensive, affordability has basically gone out the window. You can get a half-ton truck for $100,000, but that doesn’t seem affordable or practical. The new Ram midsize truck that’s coming in 2027 could arrive at a low price point and is being built at the Toledo Assembly Plant, which is perfect for this Ram truck. You might not think you can get an affordable Ram truck, but when this new Dakota model hits the market, it could arrive with a starting price as low as $35,000, which makes it more affordable than most other trucks in its class.

Does it make sense for this Ram midsize truck for 2027 to be built in Toledo?

Its time for some Jeep Gladiator platform sharing, which will mean that Stellantis will have two trucks in the midsize pickup market. This makes perfect sense, especially with the off-road focus of the Gladiator. The new model will be a body-on-frame Ram pickup that competes in the midsize market against some of the top models, such as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger.

The Ram vs Ford Ranger conversation begins in 2027

It’s still more than a year away, but you can already hear many drivers comparing the Ram midsize truck coming in 2027 to the Ford Ranger, which is the last midsize truck to hit the market. This new truck is expected to be offered at an affordable price, giving shoppers another great opportunity to buy a midsize truck.

The STLA Frame platform makes sense for this new Ram, especially since it’s used for the Gladiator, and the new Ram will be built next to the Jeep at the same assembly plant in Toledo. The STLA Frame platform allows trucks to have wheelbases between 123.7 and 145.3 inches long, which means the new Dakota can line up with other midsize trucks.

What powertrain will the Ram midsize truck of 2027 utilize?

The new truck is being made to take advantage of all powertrain choices offered by Ram. Until a recent change caused the brand to delay its EV truck offering, there would be three options: gas-power, hybrid, and all-electric. The new Ram Dakota will likely start as a gas-powered model, but the biggest question will not be answered until the brand is ready to take the truck on the show circuit.

The biggest question for the new Ram

What powertrain will the new Ram Dakota use? The last time the Dakota name was part of the market, the truck could be powered by a V8 engine, but that might not be as likely for the new model. Could Ram put the Hurricane six-cylinder engine in the midsize truck, or will it actually have a Hemi V8? This is the big question when it comes to this new Ram midsize truck arriving for 2027. Thankfully, gas-powered engines are making a comeback, which could be a welcome factor for this new midsize Ram.

What should Ram do?

There are many things that could go wrong with this new Ram midsize truck coming in 2027 because of the latest government changes. Despite embracing gas and diesel power in the automotive industry, the current administration has levied a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles and parts used in those vehicles. Stellantis has struggled with poor sales for several years, but building this new midsize truck in Toledo could be the right step forward. If Ram wants this truck to be affordable, most of the truck needs to be built and sourced in the United States to avoid tariffs.

A new Ram midsize truck is coming for 2027, adding a classic brand back to the class. Will it have the Dakota name? Could it be a truck that you want to drive and enjoy? Will it have the right engine to make it popular in its class? We’ll have to wait and see what this new truck brings to the table.