Dodge Nitro 2009 $-1

The 2009 Dodge Nitro continues essentially unchanged with minor changes including standard automatic transmission, stiffer rear axles for more linear handling, retuned suspension for improved steering and handling and brake revisions for improved brake feel., , So many new, 5-passenger, 5-door sport-utility-looking vehicles are on the market that auto companies have to go all out to differentiate their products. , , Perhaps no one goes farther than Dodge, though., , From its memorable name to its provocative styling and early, oddball television commercials, the new-for-2007 Dodge Nitro SUV stands out., , Built on a modified version of the Jeep Liberty platform, the Nitro is a compact to midsize SUV with V6 power, five-out-of-five-star government safety rating and some unusual features., , For example, buyers can get a Nitro fitted with splashy, chrome-finished, 20-inch wheels direct from the factory. Electric Blue Pearl Coat and Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat are among the eye-popping paint colors. Techies can add a 20-gigabyte hard drive in the Nitro dashboard to store favorite videos, pictures, music and get navigation and on-board information., , And my personal favorite is the offering of YES Essentials seat fabric that repels stains and odors and even reduces static electricity., , Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price was just over $19,000 at introduction. This was for a base, 2007 Nitro SXT with two-wheel drive and manual transmission., , With 4-speed automatic transmission, the base, two-wheel-drive Nitro SXT had a starting retail price of just over $20,000, and a Nitro with all-wheel drive started around $21,000., , No big news on fuel mileage, Fuel economy isn't a highlight in the Nitro., , The best government rating for this model was 18 miles a gallon in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway for a 2007 two-wheel-drive model with base, 210-horsepower V6., , This was pretty much on par with many other V6-powered SUVs in the 2007 model year., , A guy's SUV, Dodge officials make no apologies for developing the Nitro for a primarily male clientele with median age of 35., , Of course, they won't mind selling the Nitro to women, too. But more than half the buyers are expected to be men because of the vehicle's "masculine appeal in looks and performance," a Dodge official told me., , One look and you'll agree the Nitro doesn't look feminine at all. It's aggressive in its styling, and the overdone front bumper on the Nitro, the vehicle's boxy shape and seemingly squished-down side window areas convey a concept-car-meets-real-size-toy appearance., , The Nitro is more than styling, though., , With optional trailer towing equipment, it can pull up to 5,000 pounds of camper, trailer or boat., , The Nitro is sold in three trim levels—SXT, SLT and R/T—and all can be fitted with four-wheel drive for off-roading., , This SUV sits up well above the road, too, for decent clearance over rocks and dirt ruts., , And the test Nitro R/T, with up-level, 260-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 with 265 lb-ft of torque felt more than just peppy as it moved with ease on highways, country roads and in city traffic., , This engine has a better, more powerful sound, too, than the base 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6., , And it's more competitive with other "guy SUVs," like the 261-horsepower V6 in the Nissan Xterra and 242-horsepower five cylinder in the Hummer H3., , Not friendly to other drivers, I did feel some pity for drivers behind me, because the Nitro's blockish dimensions leave them with little to look at but the back of this SUV., , Indeed, I noticed several worked hard to pass me as soon as they could., , Nifty features, The interior of the Nitro is straightforward, with a steering wheel and gauges that are reminiscent of those in other Chrysler Corp. vehicles., , At 5 feet 4, I had to climb up a bit to get inside., , And the supportive, substantial front seats in the Nitro impressed. Both had seat cushions extending to the backs of my knees

• 4 Door
• 2 Wheel Drive
• Automatic w/overdrive Transmission
• Alloy Wheels
• Air Conditioning
• Center Console
• Cruise Control
• Folding Rear Seat
• Power Door Locks
• Power Mirrors
• Power Seats
• Power Steering
• Alarm
• AM/FM Radio
• CD Player
• Keyless Entry
• Trip/Mileage Computer
• Antilock Brakes
• Driver Air Bag
• Passenger Air Bag
• Traction Control