There's no doubt that looks sell cars - and trucks - and the 2007 Dodge Nitro has the handsome, chiseled and athletic looks of a young action star. And when you are the new SUV in the market, that's a great place to start.
With the mass of SUVs flooding today's market, and so many just idly throwing roof racks, big wheel wells and cheap body cladding onto anything resembling a truck platform (or sedan platform in many cases - oh, yes, that's a crossover) it is easy to see why so many models simply get lost in the crowd. Of course, with every negative there is a positive and I'd say with such mediocrity there is just as much chance to rise above the masses and shine, which the Dodge Nitro manages to do in many categories.
First and foremost you have to give the Jeep-like Nitro (or dare I say Hummer-like) exterior design all the credit for getting everyone's attention. It is rough and tumble, tough and taut with strong rooflines and aggressive fender flares. Add to it the bold grille and you have all the makings of a action star SUV.
My tester had an awesome Electric Blue Pearl paint scheme with gray running boards ($395) that provided a bit of contrast and a greater perception of a wide stance. Interior leather was dark and light gray.
The Dodge Nitro is actually a stretched Jeep Liberty and the interior space is put to great use as the utility part of the SUV is exploited in several areas. It is rare you find a really bold and out-of-the box idea, Stow 'n Go Seating comes to mind, and not surprising it is the Chrysler Group again delivering a wonderful surprise in the Load 'n Go Floor. The entire rear cargo floor is a shelf that glides forward, extends out the cargo door and then back into a fixed position. This makes loading anything from groceries and equipment to materials and supplies a snap.
I found the interior of the Nitro to be not quite as bold as the exterior, but it is highly functional, offering good storage compartments and good head and legroom for driver and passengers. As with most SUVs, the seating puts you slightly higher than many vehicles on the road and I prefer that perch as opposed to sitting on a skateboard five inches off the pavement. Sightlines are good and the interior noise is surprisingly minimal.
If there is an Achilles' heel to the Nitro, it resides solely inside with the interior materials. From the door liners to the dash, there just seems to be an excess of plasticy, hollow surfaces.
My Nitro SLT tester, the mid-level class above the base model but below the high-revving RT model, had the Customer Preferred Package ($2,100) that added nice heated, leather-trimmed bucket seats; an outstanding 8-speaker stereo with MP3 capability and 6-disc CD and DVD player and 17-inch chrome wheels.
A rear-seat Video System is an additional $1,250 and if you have kids it pays for itself in one trip. This comes with a pair of wireless headphones and a capability for gaming systems.
Under the hood Nitro has two V6 engine options: a 3.7-liter offering 210 horsepower, and a 4.0-liter with 260 ponies. I tested the smaller 3.7-liter and it was adequate, but I'd personally opt for the bigger engine. Both engines get a 4-speed automatic transmission that is pretty smooth, though I did not have the chance to tow anything.
I found the Nitro to be quite accommodating on the pavement. As a sibling to the Jeep Liberty, this Dodge has serious off-road credentials that do not adversely affect the road manners. You will find Nitro's suspension to be tight and firm on the pavement. I did not mind the firmness as the seating was comfortable and the responsiveness of the steering was immediate and accountable.
Fuel economy is 17 city and 23 highway. I think the 23 highway is accurate if there is no headwind. Nitro's great-looking exterior design is not as aerodynamic as some other SUVs, say a Jeep Liberty, and what you gain in aesthetics you give back at the fuel pumps.
Base price for the Nitro is $24,145, which is a great value considering the exterior package has attention-grabbing potential. My tester climbed to $30,225 with the Preferred Package, Trailer Tow Group ($500) and a big sunroof ($850).
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