Nice and convenient  |
| (Photo: Amyot Bachand) |
San Diego, CA -- Dodge is entering the midsize VUS segment to battle against the Ford Escape, the Chevrolet Equinox and the Nissan XTerra. The Nitro not only has the attributes of a urban utility vehicle, but it also has the ability to venture itself out of the beaten paths. It's a case of wanting to offer the best of both worlds. The target is a young customer, single or married, with or without children.
Striking |
| (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Dodge's stylists managed to create a striking design with their Nitro. It is largely derived from the M80 compact pickup truck concept that received a warm welcome at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show. There was even a plan at the time to offer a closed cabin version. So, there you have it: Dodge has hit the bull's eye with a really great-looking vehicle that has more than a fighting chance in the competitive midsize segment. Its bold design can appeal both to men and women because of a masculine touch that's strong and contained at the same time, according to Chief stylist Dennis Mile. The wheels are positioned as close to the corners as possible. You will also notice that the greenhouse has been limited to give the body a stronger presence and a more substantial look.
Four models |
| (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
In the various ads, Dodge will showcase its top-of-the-line model, the R/T. This Nitro has all the qualities of a utility truck: 4WD system, powerful engine, five-speed automatic transmission, 20-inch wheels, nice interior with well-matched colors, etc. The mid-range models are the SLT and SXT, while the base model is the SE. All come with climate control, power windows, two 12-volt power outlets and one of 115 volts as well as AM/FM radio with six speakers and a CD/MP3 player.
Clever storage |
| (Photo: Amyot Bachand) |
A SUV must be able to swallow objects of all shapes and sizes. The engineers at Dodge put a great deal of effort into making the interior as versatile as possible. The second-row seatback is split 60/40 and folds flat. Optional in SLT and R/T models, the tray has a capacity of 180 kilos. You can pull it outward to load large or heavy items more easily and you can use it as a table or even as a seat. The tray also hides a 10-cm deep storage compartment. The total cargo space varies from 909 to 1846 liters.
Passenger comfort  |
| (Photo: Amyot Bachand) |
To access the front seats, you have to climb a little. The big outside door handles make their opening easier. With the huge A pillars, forward visibility is impeded. The center console limits the kneeroom, but legroom is still decent. The armrest is well positioned. The front bucket seats are comfortable, but their stainproof cloth trim remains hot. In terms of storage, the center consol includes a great compartment. Access to the rear is slightly more complicated because of the narrow rear doors. In addition, the cushions are a bit firm. The climate control system is on par with the passengers' expectations and efficiently cools the interior. Exterior noises are well neutralized, except during hard acceleration.
