2007 Dodge Nitro Review Summary & Specs
SXT Sport Utility
All-new mid-size SUV.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The Nitro is the first mid-size SUV from Dodge, and has all the Dodge character. It's built on the platform of the future 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. It's not easy to make an SUV look distinctive, and the Nitro tries very hard. Mechanically, it's hindered by the 3.7-liter engine and four-speed automatic transmission in the SXT and SLT, the most popular models. The R/T, costing on average about $2700 more, has a more powerful and smoother new 4.0-liter engine, which gets about the same gas mileage at the 3.7, along with a good five-speed automatic transmission. It also has a more comfortable ride. Go for the R/T.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Sam Moses filed this report from San Diego, California.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor |
Sam Moses |
| Model Lineup |
Dodge Nitro SXT 2WD ($19,225); SXT 4WD ($20,735); SLT 2WD ($22,635); SXT 4WD ($24,145); R/T 2WD ($25,310); R/T 4WD ($26,970) |
| Engines (standard) |
4.0-liter sohc V6 |
| Engines (optional) |
210-hp 3.7-liter V6; 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
5-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) |
6-speed manual; 4-speed automatic; 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
multi-stage frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, curtain airbags; anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability program with traction control and brake assist, electronic roll mitigation, child seat anchor system, tire-pressure monitor |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
|
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Toledo, Ohio |
| Manufacturer Phone |
800-4ADODGE |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.dodge.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$19,225 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Dodge Nitro R/T ($25,310) |
| Standard Equipment |
air conditioning, remote entry with power windows and door locks, power six-way adjustable driver's seat, flat folding front passenger seat, 60/40 folding rear bench seat, Load 'n Go cargo storage system with tie-down rails, AM/FM/CD with MP3 and six speakers, SIRIUS satellite radio, folding power heated mirrors, rear window washer/wiper, tilt steering column, cruise control, tinted windows, overhead console, vehicle information instrumentation, compass, 115-volt power outlet, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and 20-inch aluminum wheels |
| Destination Charge |
660 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
Trailer Tow Group, power sunroof, AM/FM/6 CD/DVD/MP3 with 8 speakers plus subwoofer, full-size spare, hands-free communications ($2675) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$28,645 |
| Layout |
rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
260 @ 6000 |
| Torque |
265 @ 4200 |
| Fuel Economy |
17/21 |
| Wheelbase |
108.8 |
| Length/Width/Height |
178.9/73.1/69.9 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
36.3 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
40.6/56.8/40.8 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
40.8/47.4/37.7 |
| Trunk Volume |
75.6 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
5000 |
| Front Suspension |
independent |
| Rear Suspension |
independent |
| Ground Clearance |
7.3 |
| Curb Weight |
3971 |
| Stock Tires |
P245/50R20 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
19.5 |