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