2010 Dodge Nitro Review

The Nitro is a uniquely styled mid sized SUV from Dodge. It features many Dodge trademark design cues, including the crosshair grille and an overall muscular appearance. The 2010 Nitro is related to the Jeep Liberty, and comes in base SE and midlevel SXT versions. Nitro competitors include the Nissa Xterra and Suzuki Grand Vitara. It seats five in two rows of seats. Safety equipment that comes standard on all models includes dual front air bags, head-protecting curtain air bags, and a tire-pressure monitor.

Active safety features include ABS with brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control with Trailer Sway Control. In general, small-to-midsize SUVs are pretty conservative in terms of their styling and design. One exception, however, is the Dodge Nitro.  Changes for the 2010 Dodge Nitro include newly standard active head restraints for the driver and front passenger, and a feature that shuts off fuel during deceleration to improve mileage. The R/T model has been dropped. In addition new specialty packages, called the Heat, Detonator, and Shock, have been introduced. The Dodge Nitro is available in both a 4x2 and a 4x4 version.

2010 Dodge Nitro Exterior

The Nitro looks and feels larger than it is, which some will find to be a good thing. It is, however, smaller than many of its midsize competitors. The Nitro's designers were apparently aiming at a burly image for this SUV, as the wheels, grille, hood and even door handles appear almost one size too large for the rest of the body. Sharp, angular lines give the vehicle a muscular, chiseled look. From the front, the Nitro is unmistakably Dodge. Rearview visibility is very good, with just windows back there, no attempt at swoopy styling with excess sheetmetal. And again, because the front fenders have no rise or real shape, it's easy to see the front corners of the vehicle, making parking a relief compared too many vehicles this size. The Dodge Nitro is distinguished by its boxy styling. The exaggerated fender flares are the only rounded parts in the styling. Every other angle is square.

 Handling of the Dodge Nitro

For power of the Nitro, Dodge offers a choice of engines and transmissions. There are two V-6s and two automatic transmissions offered (a manual transmission is not available). The suspension has an independent design up front and a five-link, solid-axle rear arrangement. The Heat trim is equipped with a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The Detonator and Shock trim features a more powerful 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The five-speed automatic transmission makes a world of difference in smoothness over the four-speed.

Special Nitro Trims

Nitro's Heat trim offers standard amenities such as power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, air conditioning and seating for five. The Detonator adds rear-park assist, remote start system, power driver's seat, cruise control and an overhead console with a trip computer, compass and exterior temperature display. The Shock adds heated front seat, leather trim interior, and power sunroof. Standard safety features include: front airbags, side curtain airbags, active head restraints, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor.

Inside the '10 Nitro

 The Nitro seats five in two rows, and brushed-metal-look accents are used on the gearshift, door handles, climate controls and center console. The fold-flat rear bench is accompanied by a standard fold-flat front passenger seat. The second-row seats also recline for added passenger comfort. Inside the Nitro there is good front-seat legroom, and it feels like there's even more because the dashboard is narrow. The dash also has an insert over the center stack, about 6 by 9 inches with grippy rubber at the bottom, and it's perfect for, well, things. The glovebox is the full width of the passenger side.  Options for all models include leather upholstery with heated front seats ($830); power sunroof ($895); rear park assist ($250); a Travel Convenience Group ($820) with an alarm, heavy-duty engine cooling, a Class III trailer hitch receiver, a wiring harness and a full-size spare tire; a Chrome Accents Group ($1,210) with chrome on the side steps, fuel filler and door sills; and Dodge's UConnect Multimedia Suite ($2,145), which has a navigation system with voice command, an iPod adapter, UConnect Phone wireless cell phone link, 6CD changer, and a 30-gigabyte hard drive to store music and photos.

Conclusions

The Nitro carries Dodge's typical styling with a high belt line and a raised seating position for passengers in a unique and distinctive "boxy" shape to set itself apart from other mid-size SUV's. Mechanically, the Nitro is related to the rather pedestrian Jeep Liberty. It's a unibody design, but the non-independent rear suspension, standard rear-drive configuration (with four-wheel drive optional) and large-displacement 3.7-liter and 4.0-liter V6 engines all point to the platform's truckish roots. Nitro 4x4s have a part-time system with high- and low-range gearing. The Nitro for 2010 attracts consumers with its brawny and unique styling, its available four wheel drive capability, and its affordable price.