Posted on Fri, Jun. 18, 2010
2010 Dodge Nitro Shock AWD
The Nitro, with its squarish shape, blunt nose and fat fender flares, looks a bit like a street-fighter bulldog, and that’s fitting because the Nitro is not really intended for off-road use.
Dodge’s midsize SUV is derived from the Jeep Liberty, and it squares off against competitors such as the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Honda CR-V. It feels more like a truck compared to the Toyota, Honda and Ford.
The Nitro is more than a reskinned Jeep. Its 108.8-inch wheelbase is considerably longer than that of the Jeep, although the Nitro and Liberty have almost identical passenger space. The Nitro’s cargo space is slightly larger than that of the Liberty.
There are two engines: a 3.7-liter V-6 that pumps out 210 horsepower, and a 4.0-liter V-6 that is rated at 260 horsepower. Both engines are now equipped with a system that shuts off the flow of fuel when the engine is decelerating. This saves a bit of fuel and doesn’t detract from performance. The 3.7 has a four-speed automatic transmission and the 4.0 has a five-speed automatic.
Dodge has dropped the SE and SXT model designations in exchange for lifestyle packages named Heat, Detonator and Shock. The Heat starts at $21,590. The Detonator receives the 4.0-liter engine, and prices begin at $25,750. The Shock adds 20-inch wheels, and its base price is $26,750. An all-wheel-drive Shock starts at $28,410.
The test car was equipped with the 4.0-liter engine, and while it performed adequately, its fuel mileage is rated at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway. That is considerably lower than most of its competitors.
The SXT’s performance suspension is tuned for responsive handling, and it delivered a ride that was decidedly firm and sometimes jarring. The optional 20-inch wheels and low-profile tires that look so good also contribute to the ride harshness.
The Nitro is available with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The four-wheel-drive model drives the rear wheels until you need extra traction. Four-wheel drive is selected with a switch on the console. The system then sends equal power to the front and rear wheels.
Traction control, anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control and brake assist are standard. The stability control system also helps mitigate rollovers.
The Nitro’s cabin is attractive and functional although the interior textures tend to be hard and plain. The instrument panel has three round gauge pods trimmed with brushed silver accents. The center console can accommodate gadgets such as cell phones and PDAs.
The rear seat folds forward to create a flat load floor, and the front passenger seatback can also be folded forward to swallow long items such as a stepladder.
One handy option is a built-in 30-gigabyte hard disk that is part of the navigation and audio system. This unit can be controlled with voice commands. The hard disk can hold up to 4,250 songs. Users can also record voice memos, download photos or copy music from a CD, DVD or any device with a USB port.
The optional Sirius satellite radio has real-time traffic reports and can show alternate routes on the navigation screen.
All Nitro radios have input jacks for MP3 music players.
Price
The base price of the test car was $28,410. Standard equipment includes heated leather seats, navigation system with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, 20-inch chrome wheels, power sunroof and an engine block heater. Options of the chrome accent group and trailer tow package brought the sticker price to $30,940.
Warranty
Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
2010 Dodge Nitro Shock AWD
Engine: 4.0-liter, 260-hp V-6
Transmission: Automatic, four-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 108.8 inches
Curb weight: 4,210 lbs.
Base price: $28,410
As driven: $30,940
MPG rating: 16 city, 20 hwy.
LINK:
2010 Dodge Nitro Shock AWD - KansasCity.com
Linear Mode
