Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drive a box? Wonder no more, my friends – just take a Dodge Nitro out for a test drive. I spent two weeks in the 2007 Nitro and can say with certainty that this is what it would feel like to be boxed up and shipped overnight.
There’s nothing smooth about the Nitro; it could use some packing peanuts inside to soften things up a little. The look is very sharp and cornery, both inside and out. Even the nifty Load ‘N Go floor (a tray that slides out in the rear cargo area) has a sharp edge on which I cut myself. I was just trying to push the tray back in and – youch! Blood everywhere.
There’s lots of room in the console next to the driver’s seat, but there’s also kind of a useless tray on top of it that you have to remove in order to put anything in the larger compartment. It’s odd-shaped and has coin-holders, but I never wanted to put coins in it because I was constantly taking the tray out, which would likely spill the coins. Genius packaging.
Now, I know some people like the Nitro’s looks – kind of Hummer meets, um, box. And the paint job on my test car was remarkable – blue so bright it makes your eyes ache. My friend Jeni passed by and asked, “What color is that thing? I can’t tell.” Smart aleck. Still, even though the Nitro is less than homey, I have to admit it does have some fun-factor to it. It’s a young, fun truck with some really nice gadgets.
As usual, the kids adored the DVD entertainment system, and it was the easiest one I’ve ever used – I could actually make it work without referencing the manual! It even has jacks where you can plug in a video game system. I guess to make up for the lack of backseat hassle in the form of the entertainment system, though, the Latch connectors were very hard to use. They’re wedged so tightly in the seat there’s barely room to squeeze the connectors in there.
Never did I wish for those packing peanuts more than when I was actually driving the Nitro. Every time I accelerated aggressively the engine hit almost 6,000 rpm before shifting with a whiplash-inducing lurch. I even wondered if my test car had some mechanical issues because highway driving had me all over the road, and it stuttered too (do I sound like I’m at the mechanic yet?). Any venture onto the highway made me nervous. Even the numbers made me nervous: The Nitro didn’t score well in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s rollover resistance test. Take note, it only earned three stars.
Maybe the Nitro is supposed to be aimed at high-school or college students looking for a fun first car to cruise around in, but its price throws a loop into that logic. Granted, my test car was loaded, but it cost $33,115 when all was said and done. Whose budget is that? It’s like when you go to ship that old bike you just sold on eBay and realize the shipping costs more than the contents. Return to sender!
*For more information on the Dodge Nitro and its safety features, visit Cars.com. With questions or comments regarding this review, write to editor@motherproof.com.
LET’S TALK NUMBERS
Latch Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Fair – Great
Fun Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove On): Good Times
Specs
2007 Dodge Nitro 4×4 SLT/RT
Base price: $24,420
Price as tested: $33,115
Engine: 210-hp, 3.7-liter V-6
Fuel: 17/23 mpg
Length: 178.9″
Width: 73.1″
Turning Radius: 18.1′
Cargo space: 31.2 – 75.6 cu. ft.
NHTSA Crash-Test Ratings
Frontal Impact
Driver’s side: 5 Stars
Passenger’s side: 5 Stars
Side Impact
Front occupant: 5 Stars
Rear occupant: 5 Stars
Rollover resistance: 3 Stars
