Dynamite Style is Dodge Nitro's Strength

By Larry Printz

The Virginian-Pilot

If styling alone sold vehicles, the Dodge Nitro might be the biggest hit on the planet.

Its concrete block styling, with a high beltline and narrow windows, evokes the Hummer. But the front end is pure Dodge, accented with Dodge's trademark crosshair grille. It radiates adrenaline, muscle and y-chromosomes.

But underneath the macho armor, the Nitro's DNA is derived from the Jeep Liberty . The Nitro's three trim levels - SXT, SLT and R/T - differ mainly in standard equipment and engines.

A 210-horsepower 3.7-liter single-overhead-cam V6 is standard on the SXT and SLT. A 260-horsepower 4-liter single-overhead-cam V6 is standard on the R/T.

Transmission choices differ as well. SXT models come with a six- speed manual. SLTs come with a four-speed automatic or an optional six-speed manual, while R/Ts get a standard five-speed automatic.

Full-time all-wheel-drive is standard on the R/T, optional on lesser Nitros, which come with a part-time four-wheel-drive system.

All Nitros get anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation and side-curtain airbags as standard equipment.

Despite the test vehicle's 2,000-pound towing capacity, the Nitro can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

DaimlerChrysler supplied a Nitro SXT for a week of driving.

While I have little doubt as to the Nitro's off-road prowess, its on-road performance revealed a lot of side-to-side swaying and back- and-forth rocking over the smallest of bumps. In some instances, the Nitro's rear side-stepped. Despite the less-than-precise steering, the Nitro's tidy size makes it easy to park.

Power was strong, both off-the-line and at highway speeds. Around town, a stab of the throttle is needed to coax more power from the gruff-sounding 3.7-liter V6 engine.

And while the exterior styling leads you to believe that you have a hot date, the four-speed automatic and lack of low-range gear for off-roading reminds you that this is just a Jeep from Toledo .

The cabin's interior "ambience" matches the engine's raucio demeanor.

There is an abundance of hard textured plastic with lots of rough seams, the worst of which is on the steering wheel itself.

The front bucket seats proved comfortable enough over short distances. The seat backs have decent side bolstering, but the seat bottoms are flat.

The rear cargo floor covers a thoughtfully sectioned cargo compartment that never fully snapped shut, as it was designed to do. There are lots of cargo bins, as well as a spot to stash a highway toll ticket and cupholders, yet there's no remote release for the rear cargo door.

And ultimately, that's the Nitro's personality: explosive style and strong power undermined by a wobbly suspension and so-so accommodations. It's an odd mix of thoughtful details and thoughtless omissions.

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