| The 2007 Dodge Nitro is an all new mid-size | | | | (washable vinyl on the SXT) cargo floor |
| SUV monster. Dodge redesigned the full-size | | | | slides rearward 18 inches, out over the |
| Durango in 2004, and since then has been | | | | bumper, saving a loader's back. It can hold |
| planning the Nitro. There are many mid-size | | | | 400 pounds. |
| SUVs out there, and Dodge wanted the Nitro to | | | | |
| be distinctive, in order to keep up its | | | | Under half of the cargo floor there's a |
| reputation for bold styling. The result is a | | | | four-inch-deep compartment that can store |
| very squared-off vehicle, with larger fender | | | | things such as jumper cables and tools, or |
| flares. | | | | hide a laptop. |
| | | | |
| The Nitro looks and feels larger than its | | | | For the past couple of years, Dodge has been |
| size, with a high seating position that SUV | | | | working hard on making their SUVs quiet, and |
| owners enjoy, and good cabin space. It | | | | the Nitro succeeds. The 3.7-liter engine is |
| features a cargo storage system whereby the | | | | rather loud, but the Nitro's sound-deadening |
| rear seats and front passenger seat fold | | | | material muffles it well. |
| totally flat in seconds; additionally, the | | | | |
| cargo floor slides rearward out over the rear | | | | Finally, the air conditioning might be fine |
| bumper, and can hold 400 pounds, making the | | | | on a normal day, but it seemed marginal for |
| loading of heavy objects much simpler. | | | | hot conditions. |
| | | | |
| The Nitro comes in either two-wheel drive or | | | | Driving Impressions |
| four-wheel drive, with a choice of V6 | | | | |
| engines, one old and one new version. The new | | | | After long cruises in both the Dodge Nitro |
| 4.0-liter V6 is better than the old | | | | SLT 4WD and R/T 2WD, we prefer the R/T. |
| 3.7-liter, with 50 more HP and fuel economy | | | | |
| that's only a few miles per gallon less. | | | | The 3.7-liter engine in the SLT is slightly |
| However the 4.0-liter engine only comes in | | | | harsh and too slow, and the four-speed |
| the top-of-the-line R/T model, which costs | | | | automatic transmission needs another gear; we |
| about $2700 more than the most popular SLT | | | | floored the SLT once at 40 mph, and the |
| but a five-speed automatic also comes with | | | | tranny didn't kick down and the vehicle felt |
| the R/T, and that transmission is better than | | | | wimpy. The suspension takes bumps with a |
| the standard four-speed in the SLT. | | | | jolt, especially at lower speeds and mostly |
| | | | at the front wheels. And when we turned off |
| There are three types of upholstery: cloth, a | | | | the stability control and drove it |
| stain-repellant cloth, and perforated | | | | aggressively around a hairpin turn, the front |
| leather. No matter which interior option, the | | | | end washed out as badly as anything we've |
| seats are very comfortable. The cabin is | | | | felt in a long time, on its Goodyear Wrangler |
| quiet thanks to heavy use of sound deadening | | | | tires. This was surprising, because the Nitro |
| material, and visibility out the rear and to | | | | is a rear-wheel-drive design. |
| the front corners of the Nitro is excellent. | | | | |
| | | | The R/T costs about $2700 more, but it's def. |
| For a base price of $19,225, a Nitro owner | | | | worth it. It's better looking, with more of |
| gets many safety features that are usually | | | | its trim in the same color as the body, |
| optional on other vehicles, such as front and | | | | although the 20" chrome wheels are a bit |
| rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, an | | | | expensive (as a $1405 option on the SLT, too |
| electronic stability program with traction | | | | bad you can't get 17-" size on the R/T and |
| control and brake assist, and a tire-pressure | | | | save the money). Chrysler's R/T models are |
| monitor to cap it all off. | | | | considered higher performance, but in this |
| | | | case it's not hot-rod high performance. |
| Model Lineup | | | | |
| | | | The 4.0-liter V6 is a new single overhead-cam |
| The 2007 Dodge Nitro comes as three models, | | | | engine. It's rated at 260 horsepower, 50 more |
| each with a choice of two-wheel drive (2WD) | | | | than the engine in the SLT, and it provides |
| or four-wheel drive (4WD). | | | | 265 pound-feet of torque at 4200 rpm. That's |
| | | | a lot of horsepower and torque, and we can't |
| There are three models of the new 2007 Dodge | | | | say that the R/T really feels like it has |
| Nitro: the SXT in 2WD, $20,735 with part-time | | | | that much. |
| 4WD), SLT ($22,635 and $24,145) and R/T and | | | | |
| with full-time 4WD); all prices plus $660 | | | | The R/T engine is quieter than the 3.7-liter |
| delivery. | | | | in the SLT, and it gets nearly the same |
| | | | mileage: 17 city and 21 highway in 2WD, with |
| The SXT ($19,225) comes with a 210-hp | | | | 89 octane recommended but 87 acceptable. We |
| 3.7-liter V6 and a choice of 6 speed manual | | | | got 16.7 mpg driving the R/T very hard. |
| transmission or 4 speed automatic ($1000). | | | | |
| The 4WD model ($20,735) uses a part-time | | | | The five-speed automatic transmission makes a |
| four-wheel-drive system. Standard equipment | | | | difference in smoothness over the 4-speed. |
| includes cloth upholstery, air conditioning, | | | | However in manual mode, it doesn't do well. |
| remote entry with power windows and door | | | | It responds to a shift by the driver (at |
| locks, 115-volt power outlet, flat folding | | | | least this driver) about half the time. As a |
| front passenger seat, 60/40 folding rear | | | | result, passing on highways is unnecessarily |
| bench seat, AM/FM/CD with MP3 and six | | | | dangerous. The upshifts near redline (6000 |
| speakers, traction control and brake assist, | | | | rpm) are also a bit slow. And the shift |
| slate-colored molded front and fender flares, | | | | mechanism is not comfortable, either. |
| folding power mirrors, rear window washer | | | | |
| wiper, and 16-inch wheels. | | | | The handling of the R/T is reasonable, and |
| | | | considerably more direct than the SLT; |
| The SLT ($22,635) and SLT 4WD ($24,145) come | | | | quality tires help quite a bit. But it's the |
| standard with the auto trans. The SLT adds | | | | ride that's much better, in this 2WD model. |
| stain-resistant cloth seats, power six-way | | | | In theory, the R/T's tuned suspension should |
| adjustable driver's seat, leather steering | | | | be much more firm, and surely it is a better |
| wheel with audio controls, overhead console, | | | | vehicle overall, but it's also a lot more |
| cruise control, heated mirrors, compass, | | | | comfortable. |
| auto-dimming rearview mirror, vehicle | | | | |
| information instrumentation, tinted windows, | | | | Summary |
| body-colored front and rear fascias and | | | | |
| fender flares, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. | | | | The Nitro is the first mid-size SUV from |
| | | | Dodge, and has all the Dodge character. It's |
| The R/T ($25,310) has a new 4.0-liter V6 | | | | built on the same platform as the Jeep |
| making 260 horsepower, joined to a five-speed | | | | Liberty, and actually feels bigger than its |
| automatic. The R/T 4WD model ($26,970) has a | | | | size, thanks largely to a high beltline, high |
| full-time four-wheel-drive system. The R/T | | | | seating position, and much glass instead of |
| comes with a sports suspension with 20-inch | | | | sheetmetal at the rear corners. It's not easy |
| wheels and Goodyear Eagle tires. The R/T is | | | | to make an SUV look distinctive, and the |
| equipped like the SLT, though it also has | | | | Nitro does well. Mechanically, it's stimied |
| Satellite Radio. | | | | by the 3.7-liter engine and four-speed |
| | | | automatic transmission in the SXT and SLT, |
| Options for all three models include a power | | | | the most popular models. |
| sunroof, foglamps, full-size spare tire, and | | | | |
| trailer tow package. Full-time 4WD is an | | | | Model as tested |
| option on the part-time 4WD SXT and SLT | | | | |
| models. Options for the SLT and R/T include | | | | Dodge Nitro R/T ($25,310) Base Price |
| leather upholstery, navigation system, remote | | | | |
| start, hands-free phone, luxury sound system | | | | 19225 |
| with eight speakers plus subwoofer. The | | | | |
| optional Multimedia Info-tainment System | | | | Basic Warranty |
| features navigation, audio, entertainment and | | | | |
| communication wrapped into one, along with | | | | 3 years/50,000 miles Price as tested |
| voice-command and a 20-gigabyte hard drive to | | | | |
| store music and photos. | | | | 28645 |
| | | | |
| Dodge Nitro Reviews | | | | Assembled in |
| | | | |
| Walkaround | | | | Toledo, Ohio Options as tested |
| | | | |
| Dodge publicity makes a big thing about the | | | | Trailer Tow Group, power sunroof, AM/FM/6 CD |
| Nitro's looks, citing its so-called | | | | DVD/MP3 with 8 speakers plus subwoofer, |
| athleticism. We're not sure. We might call it | | | | full-size spare, hands-free communications |
| brawny, but mostly it just looks boxy. The | | | | ($2675) |
| exaggerated fender flares are the only | | | | |
| rounded parts in the styling. Every other | | | | Destination charge: |
| angle is square-ish. It looks and feels | | | | |
| larger than mid-size, which some will find to | | | | 660 |
| be a good thing. | | | | |
| | | | Gas guzzler tax: |
| From the front, it's unmistakably Dodge. It's | | | | |
| got that big crosshair grille, which looks | | | | N/A |
| much better in body color (R/T) than chrome | | | | |
| (SXT, SLT). The horizontal headlamps, turn | | | | Model Line Overview |
| signal slits and foglamps are a tidy fit in | | | | |
| the massive face. | | | | Model lineup |
| | | | |
| However it doesn't appear as if much attempt | | | | Dodge Nitro SXT 2WD ($19,225); SXT 4WD |
| was made to have the front bumper/fascia be | | | | ($20,735); SLT 2WD ($22,635); SXT 4WD |
| tidy; it's got edges all over the place, | | | | ($24,145); R/T 2WD ($25,310); R/T 4WD |
| including a valley that might hold a | | | | ($26,970) Engines |
| three-foot-wide license plate, or maybe a | | | | |
| bumper sticker that says, "I'm a Dodge so I'm | | | | 4.0-liter sohc V6 |
| in your face!" Under that, there's a wide air | | | | |
| intake for the power steering cooler, whose | | | | Safety equipment (standard)multi-stage |
| thin fins are exposed to flying stones | | | | frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact |
| because there is no screen. | | | | airbags, curtain airbags; anti-lock disc |
| | | | brakes, electronic stability program with |
| Taking a cue from the faux portholes on the | | | | traction control and brake assist, electronic |
| Buick Lucerne, or possibly the tradition of a | | | | roll mitigation, child seat anchor system, |
| Mercedes-Benz sports car, there's a | | | | tire-pressure monitor Transmissions |
| trapezoid-shaped insert, black plastic with | | | | |
| three chrome ribs, located just forward of | | | | 5-speed automatic |
| the mirrors. It's intended to look like a | | | | |
| cooling slot. It's a nice touch, and for such | | | | Safety equipment (optional) |
| a small piece it goes a long way toward | | | | |
| relaxing the Nitro's blocky shape. | | | | Specifications as Tested |
| | | | |
| In silhouette, with its relatively upright | | | | Standard equipmentair conditioning, remote |
| windshield, very high beltline and | | | | entry with power windows and door locks, |
| rectangular windows, plus short front | | | | power six-way adjustable driver's seat, flat |
| overhang, its shape is reminiscent of, say, a | | | | folding front passenger seat, 60/40 folding |
| '62 Dodge Power Wagon. But from the rear | | | | rear bench seat, Load 'n Go cargo storage |
| three-quarter angle, the lines around the | | | | system with tie-down rails, AM/FM/CD with MP3 |
| rear glass are reminiscent of its bigger | | | | and six speakers, SIRIUS satellite radio, |
| cousin, the Jeep Commander. We like the | | | | folding power heated mirrors, rear window |
| cleaner black, rather than chrome, around the | | | | washer/wiper, tilt steering column, cruise |
| windows. | | | | control, tinted windows, overhead console, |
| | | | vehicle information instrumentation, compass, |
| Our test Nitro R/T was equipped with standard | | | | 115-volt power outlet, auto-dimming rearview |
| 20-inch chromed aluminum wheels, and they | | | | mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel with |
| sure are showy. The much narrower sidewall on | | | | audio controls, and 20-inch aluminum wheels |
| the 20-inch tires doesn't appear to offer | | | | |
| much defense against flats. | | | | Engine & Transmission |
| | | | |
| Interior Features | | | | Engine |
| | | | |
| The SXT comes in a basic cloth, but the cloth | | | | 4.0-liter sohc V6 Transmission |
| in the SLT and R/T is something called YES | | | | |
| Essentials; it claims to repel stains, | | | | 5-speed automatic |
| control odors and reduce static electricity. | | | | |
| The optional perforated charcoal leather with | | | | Drivetrain typerear-wheel drive EPA |
| red stitching in our test R/T was beautiful. | | | | fuel economy, city/hwy |
| The front buckets were very comfortable and | | | | |
| supportive, with excellent bolstering. | | | | 17/21 |
| | | | |
| The steering wheel is a handsome four-spoke, | | | | Horsepower (hp @ rpm) |
| with a big center hub and thick spokes at | | | | |
| 9:00 and 3:00 o'clock, smaller spokes at 5 | | | | 260 @ 6000 Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm) |
| and 7; the info center buttons are under your | | | | |
| thumb on the big spokes. There are three big | | | | 265 @ 4200 |
| main instruments: speedo in center, tach on | | | | |
| right and fuel and temp on left. They're very | | | | Suspension |
| good looking and especially legible, with the | | | | |
| digital information still visible in the sun | | | | Brakes, front/reardisc/disc with ABS |
| because the three pods are thoughtfully | | | | Tires |
| shrouded. Chrysler does gauges right, and | | | | |
| generally blows GM out of the water when it | | | | P245/50R20 |
| comes to handsome style and function. | | | | |
| | | | Suspension, frontindependent |
| There's good front seat legroom, and it feels | | | | Suspension, rearindependent |
| like there's even more because the dashboard | | | | |
| is narrow, making the cabin feel nothing like | | | | Accomodations |
| that in a minivan. The dash also has an | | | | |
| insert over the center stack, about 6 by 9 | | | | Seating capacity |
| inches with grippy rubber at the bottom, and | | | | |
| it's perfect for, well, things. The glovebox | | | | 5 Head/hip/leg room, front |
| is the full width of the passenger side. | | | | |
| | | | 40.6/56.8/40.8 |
| Rearview visibility is very good, with just | | | | |
| windows back there, no attempt at swoopy | | | | Head/hip/leg room, middle |
| styling with sheetmetal. And again, because | | | | |
| the front fenders have no rise or real shape, | | | | N/A Head/hip/leg room, rear |
| it's easy to see the front corners of the | | | | |
| vehicle, making parking a relief compared to | | | | 40.8/47.4/37.7 |
| many vehicles this size. | | | | |
| | | | Measurements |
| The square theme continues with the center | | | | |
| stack and its instruments and buttons for the | | | | Fuel capacity |
| sound system and climate control, although | | | | |
| nowadays many cars look like that, which | | | | 19.5 Payload |
| isn't bad, just almost natural. Everything is | | | | |
| clean, easy to operate, and easy to | | | | N/A |
| understand. We especially like the door | | | | |
| handles, an intelligent ergonomic design: | | | | Trunk volume |
| they're like a half loop, and you simply slip | | | | |
| three or four fingers of the hand against the | | | | 75.6 Towing capacity |
| door inside the handle, fingers facing | | | | |
| forward so there's no twist of the wrist, and | | | | 5000 |
| pull. | | | | |
| | | | Wheelbase |
| Between the seats, along with the gearshift, | | | | |
| transfer case, and emergency brake lever, | | | | 108.8 Track, front/rear |
| there are two fixed cupholders and a small | | | | |
| recess for change. There's a shallow tray in | | | | 61.0/61.0 |
| the top of the center console storage bin, | | | | |
| and a deep compartment under that; as one | | | | Length/width/height |
| lady on the press launch said, it's big | | | | |
| enough to stash her cat, on road trips. | | | | 178.9/73.1/69.9 Ground clearance |
| | | | |
| But the Nitro really rises to the occasion | | | | 7.3 |
| behind the front seat. The Load 'n Go | | | | |
| function quickly and easily flops the 60/40 | | | | Turning circle |
| rear seats and front passenger seat totally | | | | |
| flat. With the liftgate raised, the carpeted | | | | 36. |