Nitro more urban warrior than gnarly off-roader
Angela Forgeron
For CanWest News Service


Friday, May 18, 2007


Warning: If you're a new Dodge Nitro enthusiast, stop reading now.

The fact of the matter is I didn't like the looks of it from the first time I spotted one. My guilty pleasure is boxy vehicles -- I adore the optimistic-looking, only-in-the-U.S. Scion xB and the Mercedes-Benz/Dodge Sprinter. But the Nitro, well, it just doesn't rub me the right away.

In all fairness, I'm not the target demographic for the "loaded with adrenaline" Nitro. According to Dodge, the focus is men who, among other passions, have a "man den in the basement or garage" and "women seeking a masculine mid-sized SUV."

The Nitro is being advertised on such TV shows as Desperate Housewives and Crossing Jordan. You'll also see ads in Martha Stewart's Blueprint and on the HGTV website. Curious. I'd categorize my girly girlfriends as the spectators for the above entertainment, and they didn't like the looks of the Nitro either.

Failing to find any fans of the Nitro among my gal pals, I cross-examined my boyfriend, Neil. Though he doesn't have a man den, he'd like one -- living in a condo, however, means we've neither a basement nor a garage. He's also a cool guy's guy, with lots of DeWalt power tools.

"What kind of truck is this? It drives like a Jeep, looks like an SUV, and makes me think it's the evil twin of the Commander and the big dumb brother of the Caliber," says Neil. "I'd say they got inspiration from the Honda Element, but instead of making it cute, they punched it in the face -- and voila!"

Moving inside -- once you get past the retro push-button door handles -- Neil likes the rugged feel "and the interior plastic and rubber seem designed for wear and tear. It's meant to get dirty." At 6-foot-3 -- and with equally long arms -- the guy still found it to be a stretch for the climate controls.

The tall should mind their heads. "Every time I go over a bump, I feel like I'm going to get a lobotomy. And every time I get in or out, I hit my head on the door frame," says Neil. Another point: "For a big truck, it has small windows. God forbid if anyone needs to make an emergency evacuation through them."

There is, however, a ton of legroom behind the front row -- even when the front seat's in a recline position. Seat comfort gets a low score. As a 5-foot-8 driver, I couldn't find the ideal position to grab the wheel and reach the pedals, having to compromise between the two. Though there are some power controls to slide your seat forward or aft, the back position is adjusted manually. I also wouldn't want to sit in either the driver's or passenger's seat for more than a few hours -- there's not much support.

The steering wheel, instrument panel and centre stack -- with audio and climate controls -- are all generic. The bold and aggressive exterior doesn't match the low-key insides. The dash is stunted -- it's so short that it's hard to find a place to display a parking pass.

There's a good amount of cargo space and the innovative, handy Load 'N Go floor -- a platform that holds 182 kilograms of stuff and slides out for easy loading.

From the throaty sound that comes from the exhaust to the acceleration, ride and handling, the Nitro's driving dynamics are positively truck-like.

Though the Nitro isn't my (or Neil's) favourite ride, Dodge gets an ovation for at least focusing its lineup. Over the past decade, its vehicles have moved from hiding under the Chrysler wing to making bold statements. For those who want aggressive styling and fair pricing, Dodge is carving out its own little niche.

THE SPECS:

Type of vehicle: All-wheel-drive, mid-sized SUV

Engine: 3.7L SOHC V6

Power: 210 hp 5,200 rpm;235 lb-ft of torque 4,000 rpm

Transmission: Four-speed automatic

Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS

Tires: P235/65R17

Price: base/as tested $29,890/$34,240

Destination charge: $1,200

Fuel economy L/100 km: 13.5 city, 9.5 hwy.

Standard equipment: Air conditioning, power windows, speed-sensitive power door locks, power heated mirrors, AM/FM/CD audio with MP3 compatibility, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, rear 65/35 split/folding seats, front-passenger folding flat seat, rear cargo tie-down system, Load 'N Go slide-out floor, side air bags, electronic stability program, traction control, remote keyless entry, cruise control.

LINK: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarp...d-cd58d469ce58