2007 Dodge Nitro - A Compact SUV With Dodge Style
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The Dodge Nitro was first rolled out for 2007, and represented Dodge’s first attempt at a compact sport utility vehicle. The Nitro is slot below the Durango SUV and offers a step up from the smaller Caliber hatchback. The Nitro has all the Dodge character. It's built on the platform of the Jeep Liberty, and actually feels bigger than its size, thanks largely to a high beltline, high seating position, and much glass instead of sheetmetal at the rear corners. The Nitro competes with the BMW X3, Nissan Xterra and Saturn Vue. Of those, the Nitro offers the largest maximum cargo capacity — 75.6 cubic feet with folding seats in their lowered position. At 178.9 inches from bumper to bumper, the Nitro is on par with the BMW X3 (179.7 inches) and Nissan Xterra (178.9 inches), but more than 2 inches shorter than the 181.3-inch Saturn Vue. The Nitro comes in base, SLT and high-performance R/T versions. All come with a standard electronic stability system with rollover mitigation.
Nitro Power
Dodge offers a choice of engines and transmissions on the Nitro. The base model is powered by a 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6. That engine offers a choice of six-speed-manual or four-speed-automatic transmissions and produces 235 pounds-feet of torque. However the 4.0-liter engine only comes in the top-of-the-line R/T model, which costs about $2700 more than the most popular SLT. But a five-speed automatic also comes with the R/T, and that transmission, too, is better than the standard four-speed in the SLT. The R/T has a more comfortable ride, as well. The R/T produces 265 pounds-feet of torque. A part-time four-wheel-drive system is standard with the manual transmissions; full-time all-wheel drive is standard on automatic models.
2007 Nitro Design
The design of the Dodge Nitro was aimed towards creating a burly image for this SUV. The wheels, grille, hood and even door handles appear almost one size too large for the rest of the body. Sharp, angular lines give the vehicle a muscular, chiseled look. Taking a cue from the faux portholes on the Buick Lucerne, there's a trapezoid-shaped insert, black plastic with three chrome ribs, located just forward of the mirrors. It's intended to look like a cooling slot. It's a nice touch, and for such a small piece it goes a long way toward relaxing the Nitro's blocky shape. The Nitro, which has a 108.8-inch wheelbase, rides on 16-inch wheels, with 17-inchers optional. The Nitro R/T comes with 20-inch wheels, which are an option on the SLT trim level. From the front, it's unmistakably Dodge. It's got that big crosshair grille, which looks much better in body color (R/T) than chrome (SXT, SLT).The horizontal headlamps, turn signal slits and foglamps are a tidy fit in the massive face
Driving the Dodge Nitro
The handling of the R/T is reasonably good and well controlled, and considerably more precise than the SLT; the upgraded tires help a lot. But it's the ride that's radically better, in this 2WD model. The R/T's tuned suspension is firmer, but at the same time it's also a lot more comfortable. It refuses to short-shift, or upshift before redline under heavy throttle. The R/T suspension is a new independent design up front and a new five-link, solid-axle rear arrangement. Dodge says it's tuned to provide a level ride when loaded or towing. As a performance driver would expect, the R/T version features firmer springs, shocks and other items to improve its cornering and traction. It comes with the option of either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The R/T engine is quieter than the 3.7-liter in the SLT, and it gets nearly the same mileage: 17 city and 21 highway in 2WD, with 89 octane recommended but 87 acceptable.
Nitro Cabin Features
The Nitro's seats are comfortable on long trips. Cloth or leather seat upholstery is available, depending on the trim level. The Nitro seats five in two rows, and brushed-metal-look accents are used on the gearshift, door handles, climate controls and center console. The Nitro looks and feels larger than its size, with a high seating position that SUV owners like, and offers good cabin space. 2007 Nitro models feature Load 'n' Go, a cargo storage system whereby the rear seats and front passenger seat fold totally flat in seconds; additionally, the cargo floor slides rearward out over the rear bumper, and can hold 400 pounds, making the loading of heavy objects much easier. Both the front passenger seat and backseat fold flat for storage. On the Nitro SLT and R/T, a sliding cargo floor is standard to aid in loading packages. There are three types of upholstery: basic cloth, a handsome stain-repellant cloth, and beautiful perforated leather. Options include a navigation system with real-time traffic update, a backseat DVD video system, a six-CD changer and remote start. The Nitro features Load 'n' Go, a cargo storage system allowing seats to fold totally flat.
2007 Nitro Lineup
The SXT comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, remote entry with power windows and door locks, 115-volt power outlet, flat folding front passenger seat, 60/40 folding rear bench seat, AM/FM/CD with MP3 and six speakers, tilt steering column, traction control and brake assist, slate-colored molded front and rear fascias and fender flares, folding power mirrors, rear window washer/wiper, and 16-inch steel wheels.
The SLT adds stain-resistant cloth seats, power six-way adjustable driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Load 'n Go cargo storage system with tie-down rails, overhead console, cruise control, heated mirrors, compass, auto-dimming rearview mirror, vehicle information instrumentation, tinted windows, body-colored front and rear fascias and fender flares, and 17-inch aluminum wheels.
The R/T features a sports suspension with 20-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle tires. The R/T is equipped like the SLT, though it also has Sirius Satellite Radio.
Conclusions
The Dodge Nitro comes standard with an impressive array of safety features. Four-wheel antilock brakes are standard as is traction control, a system that applies those brakes to wheels that slip during acceleration to get them grabbing the road again. An electronic stability system with rollover mitigation is also standard, as are side curtain-type airbags.. The Nitro is the first mid-size SUV from Dodge. It's built on the platform of the future Jeep Liberty, and feels bigger in size, thanks largely to a high beltline, high seating position, and more glass instead of sheetmetal at the rear corners. This is a great family vehicle for those looking for ease of use, plenty of cabin space, and the rugged and almost aggressive design the Nitro offers. For a closer look, view a Nitro Picture gallery.
