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Dodge dealers have reason to be jolly.

Or do they?

They got the present they asked for in the 2007 Dodge Nitro, a compact sport-utility.

It wasn’t hard to give Dodge dealers what they wanted because Nitro is a derivative of the Liberty Jeep dealers have been selling for a couple years.

Jeep has a variety of small SUVs as a hedge for when gas prices rise, but Dodge had only the midsize Durango.

Because consumers have begun to migrate out of midsize SUVs into compacts, Dodge dealers clamored for one to get people in their stores.

Nitro and Liberty are cousins, but thanks to the design staff, they are easy to tell apart–even when parked side by side. And it’s not just that Nitro has the Dodge crosshair grille and Liberty the seven-slotted Jeep grille.

Nitro has the more rugged, yet sporty “grab life by the horns” look with boxy lines; tall, squared-off roof; and decorative bumper, wheel arch and rocker-panel plastic cladding. Liberty leans to the soft and studious side with rounded body lines and low, slanted roof.

Nitro looks suitable for off-road or on-track, Liberty more for travel on-road to watch races at the track. Nitro is aimed more at males, Liberty females.

Nitro is offered in base, SLT and top-of-the-line R/T, with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive and a 3.7-liter, 210-horsepower V-6 in the base and SLT and a 4-liter, 255-h.p. V-6 in the R/T.

We tested the R/T, which adds a performance handling suspension and massive 20-inch all-season radials in keeping with the Dodge image.

The 4-liter is very spirited and teamed with a new smooth and quiet 5-speed automatic. Lively blast away from the light or into the passing lane as the Nitro name suggests.

But Nitro and Liberty share a trait: a lackluster mileage rating for a compact SUV, especially with 2WD (optional 4WD isn’t even available until early next year). Nitro is rated at only 17 m.p.g. city/21 m.p.g. highway in 2WD, a mere 16/19 with 4WD. Rumor has it, however, that when you order 4WD, you get a free calendar from British Petroleum.

Those 20-inch radials do a very good job of filling the wheel wells. But, along with performance-tuned shocks and springs, they made for some roller-coaster motion on uneven pavement.

Handling is respectable, but a performance-tuned SUV is never going to handle like a pinpoint-precise Viper sports car.

But it’s nice to know that stability control with traction control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and side-curtain air bags are standard.

Other than exterior body panels, Nitro also is 4 inches longer than Liberty. It means the cargo hold is spacious for a compact.

And Load ‘N Go is an added plus. Simply grab the handle, and the floor slides to you on rollers to make for easy loading and unloading. You don’t have to lean against the rear bumper caked with dirt or snow to retrieve the groceries.

The load floor slides out far enough to serve as a tabletop for tailgating or when out working on the lawn.

Other nice touches include storage on top of the dash, cell phone and cupholders in the center console, a huge center armrest with a coin holder, a 115-volt power plug on the back of the center console for laptop or electronic games and second-row seat backs that fold flat.

What’s a little surprising is that, despite 4 inches more than Liberty, Nitro’s second-row seats don’t have a lot of wiggle room. Good comfort up front, good stowage capacity in back, but none of those 4 inches was devoted to the comfort of those in the rear seat.

The back of the front passenger seat is indented about 2 inches to give the person behind some knee room. But the driver’s seat back has a map pouch in place of the indent. So forget the passenger’s knees.

Dodge says Nitro has been a welcome addition to the lineup. About 10,000 copies have been sold since being introduced in September, and sales each month have topped the previous month’s.

But have to say it appears Nitro is one of those robbing-Peter-to-pay-Paul scenarios.

Through November, sales of Durango are down 39 percent or 42,740 units, to 66,284 from 109,024 a year earlier.

Liberty sales are down 19 percent or 27,640, to 121,578 from 149,218. That loss is more than twice Nitro’s gain.

If Nitro does well, have to ask whether Durango is needed.

Charger Police Special

Whether the night before Christmas–or any other time for that matter–not a creature is stirring behind this black and white chariot with the mars lights bolted to the roof.

Didn’t realize the caution a police car strikes into the hearts of human beings until we slid behind the wheel of Dodge’s police package Charger.

Drove from Vernon Hills to Milwaukee without a vehicle passing–not even an 18-wheeler. Some pulled up, spotted the mars lights and backed off.

It was as if driving the pace car at Indy. Everybody gets in line and follows.

The Charger comes with a choice of a 3.5-liter, 250-h.p. V-6 for patrolling or a 5.7-liter, 340-h.p. Hemi V-8 for hot pursuit.

We tested it with the Hemi. Loads of power, though we never exceeded the posted limit. It seemed wise to avoid a situation in which a real cop stopped a pretender, especially because the promised letter explaining that this cop car was a media test vehicle apparently was still in the mail. As an added precaution, we skipped Dunkin’ Donuts for a week.

While the car is super quick, electronic stability control and four-wheel ABS keep it under control at all times.

Air conditioning, power windows/locks/driver’s seat, rear-window defroster and remote keyless entry are standard. Four-wheel-drive will be added as an option early next year.

But as a police special, the Charger is spartan–no thick carpeting, sophisticated audio or navi system.

Carpeting gave way to a vinyl floor, which doesn’t deaden road sounds. Rather than a dash full of buttons and dials to activate creature comforts, there’s a control panel with levers for siren, mars lights and spotlights. And the performance suspension doesn’t provide a lot of cushioning.

Why give the cops a wide berth on the road? Because when stuck in a cabin minus frills, getting out to write a ticket must be a welcome relief.

The police special starts at $22,320, add $2,230 for the Hemi, and with all the associated sirens and flashing lights, the package runs around $30,000. Prices vary based on bidding and how many you buy.

And put away that checkbook; only the law enforcement community can buy one.

———-

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 4×2

Price as tested: $25,360*

THE STICKER

$22,310 Base

$1,280 Premium audio system and AM/FM radio with six-disc CD/DVD/MP3 and heated leather seats

$850 power sunroof

$275 U-Connect hands free phone

$225 Inferno Red Crystal Pearl paint

$225 Remote start

$195 Sirius satellite radio and one-year free service

*Add $660 for freight.

THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 108.3 inches

Length: 178.8 inches

Engine: 4-liter, 255-h.p. V-6

Transmission: 5-speed automatic

City: 17 M.P.G.

Highway: 21 M.P.G.

PLUSES

Jeep Liberty derivative in sportier garb to give Dodge dealers a compact SUV.

Load ‘N Go slide out cargo floor makes loading/unloading easy.

MINUSES

Low mileage rating for 2WD.

Rear-seat room not huge.