Guess what’s underneath the Dodge Nitro? A Jeep Liberty
Wall flowers, monks and recluses be warned right up front – the Dodge Nitro is not for you. In fact, it’s not for anybody who wants to be unobtrusive. Get behind the Nitro’s wheel and, believe me, you WILL be noticed.
Essentially a re-skinned Jeep Liberty, the Nitro is aimed at urban guerillas, UG-wannabes and anybody else who desires to look like they are more than ready to rumble right now and are entirely confident of the outcome.
Those brilliant Nitro TV spots from Dodge suggest the vehicle is the toughest customer on the block, but in fact it is conventional sport-utility vehicle. Like the
Like most SUVs then, the Nitro is mostly show, not go. But that’s sufficient for a lot of people these days and Dodge has made sure to give the Nitro prospect a lengthy list of options. There are two trim levels powered by the same 210 horsepower 3.7 liter V-6 and you can have it with either a six-speed stick or automatic transmission.
The top-of-the-line R/T which I drove during a recent week gets you a 260 horsepower 4.0 liter V-6 and a five-speed automatic. Look for 0-60 mph times in the low seven second bracket if you opt for the front-wheel-drive setup, and slightly quicker if you don’t.
On the road, the R/T edition is rather stiffly sprung, as befits the moniker, and the Nitro gives the impression of being a capable apex strafer in addition to all-round off-road tough customer. In fact, the Nitro drives like a
Liberty
The Nitro interior is a close-fitting four-seater arrangement that fits snugly, though the duo up front do have lots of leg room. Hauling loads of cargo is a Nitro strength, thanks to the Load n Go function that lays the rear seats flat and the rear-extendable cargo floor. There’s also a four-inch deep storage compartment under the rear floor.
The Nitro was born after Dodge redesigned and upsized its Durango SUV. As a mid-size SUV entry, the Nitro certainly has lots of competition to face, but getting noticed is probably not going be one of its problems.
Dodge Nitro
Car Reviews
Autos
Motorsports
Fast Cars
New Car Reviews
