2009 Dodge Nitro
by Rebecca Antioco and Jim Prueter -01/2009

Nitro: Love it or Hate it Styling

(Since this vehicle is virtually unchanged from our review of the 2007 model it has been updated to include the changes for 2008 and 2009)

Nitro. No, it’s not a Transformer or an American Gladiator, it’s the new small SUV from Dodge, who has traditionally been a small player in the popular SUV segment, with the Durango its only offering until now. Unlike many of the small “SUVs” cruising the highways, Nitro is true truck-based SUV, not a car-based crossover vehicle, and shares a chassis with the Jeep Liberty.

Nitro’s exterior styling lives up to its aggressive, burly-sounding name. It has a muscular, boxy shape with huge front and rear fender flares adding to its imposing look. It’s Hummer-esque, but also vaguely reminiscent of a ‘90s-era Jeep Cherokee. Love it or hate it, you can’t argue with the fact that it makes a statement, particularly when you opt for the so-bright-you-have-to-avert-your-eyes red or blue paint job ($225). For 2008 three new exterior colors were added to the Nitro palette: brilliant black pearl coat, light graystone pearl coat, and modern blue pearl coat. There are no new color offerings for 2009.

Inside, the look is austere, with brushed-metal accents on the console and door handles doing little to dress it up. Seats are relatively comfortable, but are manually adjusted on the base model. Nitro seats five comfortably in two rows of seats, but finding the LATCH anchors for installing a child-safety seat is a bit of a challenge. On the R/T model, Dodge offers two-tone seats with a choice of Inferno Red, Electric Blue or Sunburst Orange seat inserts.

For 2009, Nitro is available in three trim levels – SE, SLT and R/T – each available as either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive for about $1,800 more. The first two models come with a standard 3.7-liter V-6 engine that puts out 210 horsepower. The R/T is equipped with a 4.0-liter 260-horsepower V-6.

A four-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models except the 4.0-liter powered R/T, which gets a five-speed automatic. Manual transmissions are not offered on any Nitro model for 2009. The base SE is moderately equipped with niceties like power windows, door locks and mirrors, but you’ll have to upgrade to the SLT to have access to some of the Nitro’s hipper and more distinguishing features.

Of particular note among those options is the Uconnect GPS navigation and entertainment system ($2145). In addition to the direct iPod plug-in capability, Uconnect features a 20-gigabyte hard drive that can store your music and images (which are displayed on the 6.5-inch color touch screen). Load your tunes and pics from a disc or via a USB flash drive and you can leave the CDs and iPod at home. Uconnect also includes GPS navigation with two- or three-dimensional views, and Sirius satellite radio. You can also plug in your kid’s XBox 360 or system of choice for entertainment on long road trips.

With the rear seats up, storage capacity is around 32 cubic feet, smaller than competitors Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. But with the seats folded flat, cargo space increases to a class-leading 75.6 cubic feet. Also standard on SLT and above (but not on the base SE) is the Load ‘N Go cargo floor, which slides out 18 inches and can hold up to 400 pounds for ease of loading. There are also bins under the floor for additional storage. If you need to haul gear in a trailer, the Nitro has a standard towing capacity of 2000 lbs., but can be equipped to tow up to 5000 lbs. Impressive for a small SUV.

On the road is where Nitro’s shortcomings become evident. To say that the ride is firm puts it mildly. Every minor bump in the road sends you tossing around like a bobble-head doll. One reviewer wondered if she could request Styrofoam packing peanuts for cushioning when driving around in this box. The brake pedal has a spongy feel, which does not inspire confidence when making a sudden stop. In reality, the Nitro’s braking distance is short, but the perception is disconcerting. Additionally, the Nitro gives you a wandering feeling, and not in a good way. I felt like I had to be on constant alert to prevent it from drifting during highway driving.

For 2009 Dodge took notice of the criticism on the brakes, suspension and handling woes of the previous year model and significantly improved the brakes and retuned the suspension for an improved ride. We recently drove a new 2009 SLT 4X4 and noted significant improvement in those areas.

With fuel efficiency on everybody’s mind, Nitro offers a disappointing EPA estimate of 15 miles per gallon in the city, 21 highway. We averaged just over 16 mpg during our weeklong test drive in equal mix of city and highway driving.

Safety wise, the Nitro scored the highest five stars in front and side impact tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It didn’t fare quite as well in rollover tests, however, earning a middling three stars, even with standard electronic stability control. Standard safety features also include traction control and anti-lock brakes, advanced multi-stage front airbags and supplemental side airbags.

Nitro will appeal to those looking for a small, but tough SUV with some cool tech features and aggressive styling. Still, I think it will remain a niche vehicle rather than proliferating the roadways like some of the more refined competition.