2007 Dodge Nitro SLT 4x4 Road Test

The ride on the highway doesn't suffer badly for all of the off-roading capability, although it can become noisy over broken pavement. It's certainly not plush, though it is respectable.

(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

Same thing goes for inside. The interior is not prissy and overstyled like some cute utes from other carmakers. Geometrically, its very jagged and raw looking, with circles and squares comprising the door panels, seats and much of the dash. It looks industrial, more like sitting inside of some sort of giant piece of machinery than a vehicle. There are heated leather seats are trimmed with a white on black color scheme which is mirrored in the gauges. The parking brake handle is shaped like the grip on a machete, and hard plastic is the construction material of choice for most of the inside.

Certainly, one could get into a higher quality cabin for the price, but none feel this tough and ready to work. Decides, real men don't care too much about soft touch materials and visually soothing design elements. Martha Stewart drives a Lexus anyhow.

(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

What might bother Nitro drivers before too long is some of the ergonomics, and the fun starts before you're even buckled up. Close the door, and without a good hard slam, it won't latch. Reach for the gearshift lever and nothing falls into hand, because it's on the passenger side of the console. Drivers may need to lean out of their seats to engage "drive".

Additionally, the turn signal lever feels like it came from the seventies, and the driver side footwell is a bit tight too. It's not uncomfortable but it is sometimes awkward in some cases. Many a Dodge fan say it's all a part of the charm.

Visibility is reasonable, and my SLT 4X4 tester included some great features to take your mind off the ergonomic madness.

For starters, an Infiniti stereo system with 6-disc changer and subwoofer is fitted. There are heated leather seats too, a must have on cold winter mornings. A household power outlet resides on the console as well, and the rearview mirror dims on its own- but the real clever stuff is in back.

(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

Dodge calls it "Load n Go", and it's a cargo floor that slides out to meet you and your gear, saving owners from leaning all the way into the back. It becomes handy to load groceries, boxes, or other items. During the early December test week (a time of year when it's hard to keep a vehicle clean) any other truck would have left a salty brown stripe across my khakis had I leaned in to load a package. But with the Load n Go feature, you never have to risk contact with the back of a dirty vehicle. It can hold 400 pounds and you'll find a new use for it every time you use it. A nice touch indeed.

Additionally, the seats fold down with ease, including the front passenger seat which becomes a handy workstation when folded flat.

This is a tricky truck to sum up. Though it has a few downfalls, it does bring something new to the market that you wont find elsewhere for the money: attitude. Like its brand siblings, Nitro enters the party twenty minutes late with a swagger, and doesn't plan to apologize to anybody. There are softer, more comfortable and smoother machines for the price, though absolutely none are as downright cool.

(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

What's Hot: Engine sounds mean, tough, rugged attitude, off-road abilities, reasonable ride quality, load n go, stereo system, availability with manual gearbox!!

What's Not: transmission could use more gears, ergonomics, crampy driver side footwell, ESP OFF button is for show only

Fuel Consumption (3.7 Litre engine):Total test average: 15.2 L / 100KM