2007 DODGE NITRO SLT

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1 2007 DODGE NITRO SLT To build the Nitro, the engineers picked freely through the Jeep Liberty parts basket. Still, the Nitro does distance itself from the Liberty in size, with 11.4 cm more in the wheelbase, 11.3 cm more in length and 3.8 cm more in width. The Nitro can be powered by one of two V6 engines, a 3.7L or a 4.0L. This Dodge is offered with a choice of two- or four-wheel drive in SE and SXT trim, whereas the SLT and R/T versions are 4WD only. The R/T also gets the 4.0L V6 and 20-inch wheels. Interior and cargo area Because the top edge of the roof is low, anyone of average height and over will have to bend down to get into the vehicle. The front seats are comfortable, though a tad firm for some people. There is no lumber support adjustment, and side support is just average. Seat controls are hard to reach when the door is closed. The driving position would be better, particularly for average-to-tall drivers, if the seat could be lowered more. The sunroof limits headroom for tall individuals, and legroom is not generous. The fold-flat seatback on the passenger side makes it easier to transport long items. In the back, the bench seat has room for just two because the transmission tunnel with cup holders on top takes up all the foot room in the middle. Seating is comfortable, with each section of the 60/40-split seatback reclining to several different angles. Folding the seatback forms a flat floor. Headroom and legroom are adequate. The cargo area is very roomy. An optional sliding cargo floor pulls out 45 cm and can support 180 kg, making it easy to load and unload heavy items. The hatch does not open high enough to clear the head of a tall person. There are no anchor points to install a vertical net. Photo : Dodge

2 Convenience and safety The cabin is very well finished in respectable materials. Soundproofing is inadequate, particularly for engine noise. Storage spaces abound. The ventilation system controls are too low, but all other instruments and controls are very well laid out. Everything is illuminated at night except the glove compartment. The heating system is efficient and offers several modulation possibilities, which is always appreciated. The rear wiper, with intermittent cycle only, does not clean a large section on the left side of the rear window. Standard safety equipment includes two front and two curtain airbags, four head restraints, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control and good headlights. Visibility is impeded by the width of the front, or A pillars and by the two rear head restraints, and it is hard to judge distances when backing up. In U.S. government crash tests, the Nitro obtained five out of five stars for front-occupant protection in a frontal collision and for all-occupant protection in a side crash. It earned three stars for rollover resistance. Engine and transmission The venerable, 3.7L V6 engine churns out 210 horsepower and 235 pounds of torque. Acceleration and pickup are adequate, but no more. The engine is almost always noisy and seems to be running at its limit. With a fuel economy of 14.5 L/100 km and 74-litre fuel tank capacity, autonomy is a bit limited, too. Fortunately, this engine meets ULEV II ultra-low emissions vehicle II standards. The four-speed automatic transmission is well geared and shifts smoothly. You can start off in second. The transfer case is easy to use. It offers only two modes, 2WD and electronically controlled 4WD, so it lacks a low gear for serious off-roading. On the road The independent-front, rigid-rear suspension is firm. However, a touch of compliance ensures a generally comfortable ride that is free of harshness. Evidently, some bumps cause a well-felt bounce, but nothing more. Road holding is fully adequate for this type of vehicle. Overall, however, the Nitro s road comportment is less refined than several other competitors. The power steering is well tuned, stable, relatively precise and quite quick. It transmits little road feel. The turning circle is short. The brakes are powerful and resist well to fade, but the pedal is spongy in a panic stop.

3 Inspection In our inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre, we saw that the Nitro is built on a robust platform but which is not undercoated for corrosion. There is a large opening under the front bumper through which debris can enter and damage the power steering cooler and air-conditioner condenser. The front suspension tables and lower shock absorber anchor points are low enough to be a problem in off-road meanders. In the 3.7L engine, the camshafts are chain driven, whereas the 4.0L has a timing belt. Conclusion The Nitro is a hard vehicle to classify. Without the low gear required for serious off-roading, it could be termed an urban utility vehicle. On the other hand, its high towing capacity 2,268 kg with a load-levelling hitch will prove attractive to camping enthusiasts. Its cabin is versatile enough to justify the utility part of the sport-utility vehicle designation. But there are other vehicles that are more fuel efficient and more refined that do the job just as well. PROS: comfortable seats, smooth transmission, road comportment, sturdy build, towing capacity, versatility CONS: ingress/egress for average to tall people, seating for four only, noisy engine, visibility, large opening under front bumper, fuel economy DODGE NITRO 2007 Engine: 12-valve, 3.7-litre, V6; 24-valve, 4.0-litre, V6 Horsepower: 210 hp at 5,200 rpm; 255 hp at 6,000 rpm Torque: 235 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm; 265 lb-ft at 4,200 rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual; 4 or 5-speed automatic according to versions Suspension: independent/live axle Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: cm Length: cm Width: cm Height: cm Weight: 1,783 to 1,882 kg Tires: P225/75R16; P235/65R17; P245/50R20 Maximum towing capacity: 2,268 kg Airbags: dual front and two curtain airbags

4 Fuel consumption with 3.7-litre, automatic transmission and 4X4 system: Transport Canada rating: City: 13.5 L/100 km (21mpg) Highway: 9.5 L/100 km (30 mpg) Test result: 14.5 L/100 km (19 mpg) Test temperature: C to -6 0 C Fuel tank capacity: 74 litres Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline Acceleration: km/h: 9.2 seconds km/h: 7.1 seconds Competition: Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Xterra, Saturn Vue, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4 Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/unlimited km Perforation damage: 5 years/ km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module). Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $505 Front brake disc: $76 Brake pads: $223 Muffler: $295 Front fender: $129 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $827 to $1,217 Price according to trim level: SE: $23,290 SXT: $24,785 SLT: $29,890 R/T: $30,995

5 Main options: 4X4 system: $2,840 Automatic transmission: $1,540 (SE); SXT: $ 1,120 Sunroof: $1,050 Navigation system: $1,995 (SXT); R/T: $1,770 Price as tested: $30,940 Freight and preparation: $1,200 Dealers: Quebec: 157 Canada: 595 February All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec