What's in a name? A lot, actually, if the name is as dumb as Nitro. We absolutely love the looks of Dodge's new mid-size SUV. The phenomenal fender flares, military buzz cut top, enormous crosshair grill, perfectly understated side vents and ramrod-straight back end all coalesce to create the most classic looking hauler since the 1970s Land Cruiser wagon. It's basically what the Jeep Liberty dreams of being. It's a damn shame then that no one over 17 is going to feel comfortable driving around in something called a Nitro.
Even though we tested the top-of-the-line R/T, the cabin was more lean than lush. The only truly upscale embellishment was two-tone red stitching and R/T logos sewn into the black leather seats, which we could have lived without. The manly e-brake handle feels like a machete, and the Nitro has a cool DVD remote storage slot, amazing rear seat room and the lower-back-saving slide-out Load 'N Go platform in the boot. Irritations included seeing no clock with the radio on, deadly dull dials and outside mirrors so big they create unwieldy blind spots.
The Nitro is not the tightest car we've ever tested -- there was a little play in the steering, noticeable body roll and a bit too much hesitation in the 5-speed automatic transmission. On the upside, the turning radius was great and the R/T model (starting about $6 grand more than the base SXT) boasts excellent power for the price. The R/T's 4-liter V6 produces 260 horses and 265 lb-ft of torque -- both of which best its Hummer H3 competitor.
If dainty and demure is what you're looking for, the Nitro will explode in your face.
