Overview & Reviews
In general, small-to-midsize SUVs are pretty conservative in terms of their styling and design. One exception, however, was the Dodge Nitro. Mechanically, the Nitro was related to the rather pedestrian Jeep Liberty. It was a unibody design, but the non-independent rear suspension, standard rear-drive configuration (with four-wheel drive optional) and large-displacement V6 engines all pointed to the platform's truckish roots.
Yet the Nitro had a retro look that was all its own, with a high waistline, big wheels and aggressively flared fenders. Unfortunately, this Dodge's beauty was only skin deep. Its handling was subpar and its interior disappointed due to a lack of quality. Used SUV buyers can do better than the Dodge Nitro.
Used Dodge Nitro Models
The Dodge Nitro was a five-passenger midsize SUV produced from 2007-'11. It was based on Jeep's Liberty, but the Dodge was tuned a bit more for on-road use and offered a large, optional V6 engine. Otherwise, they are very similar.
The base engine was a 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 paired to a four-speed automatic (a six-speed manual was standard for 2007 and '08). Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive were available on all Nitro models, with the latter being a part-time system with high- and low-range gearing. A 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 paired to a five-speed automatic was standard on the R/T, Detonator and Shock trims.
Originally, the base trim was known as SXT, but was changed to SE for 2009, then Heat for '10. Regardless of what Dodge called it, the base Nitro came standard with air-conditioning, an auxiliary audio jack and a roof rack. The Heat at least added some visual flair, with 20-inch chrome-clad rims versus the originally standard 16-inch steel wheels. Features available on the upper trims (SLT and R/T originally, then Detonator and Shock for 2010) included a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated seats, navigation, upgraded sound systems, and in later model years, Bluetooth.
In Dodge Nitro reviews, we found acceleration to be disappointing with the 3.7-liter engine, but adequate with the 4.0-liter V6. There wasn't much of a fuel economy penalty with the bigger V6, either -- city and highway estimates for the two engines were almost identically poor. Customers interested in extracting maximum performance from their Nitros should gravitate toward the bigger power plant. However, handling and ride quality were below average even after Dodge altered the suspension tuning for '09.
Inside, the Nitro had an industrial feel, though faux aluminum accents brightened the place up a bit. Materials quality was unimpressive for this class, and a few plastics stand out as unacceptably low-grade. Cargo space was decent among compact SUVs, at least, and the Nitro SLT trim level came with a slide-out cargo floor with tie-down points known as Load 'n Go.
User Reviews:
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DO NOT BUY!! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By flaboy84 - June 23 - 3:31 pmSTAY AWAY from the Nitros! When I drove mine on the highway the hood shook, the mirrors shook (no matter how tight they were on) and the roof rack shook! The AC went out after owning it for a month and the repair price was over $1,000 from multiple repair shops. Save your money & time! DO NOT buy this gas guzzling piece of JUNK. Never again will I buy a dodge...
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Not Built to last! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By jenokker - August 6 - 2:42 pmInterior is falling apart...inside driver doorhandle broke, the a/c, now window motor and its not cheap to fix. I would not recomend black body trim...
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What a junk but nice body style - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By manny2126 - July 4 - 9:51 pmPaint already discoloring on the fender, no way of checking the trans oil, wheel hubs needs to be replaced makes noise, a/c compresor gone needs to be changed, brakes done twice and 2 rotors replaced, wiper motor recalled and replaced, blower motor replaces twice, front seat plastic cover broken off just from exiting, 2 tire gage replaced without the 75.00 computer stem.
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Warning please dont buy !!!! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By kim14kraz - February 14 - 4:29 pmWithin the first few months of me purchasing this it had problems With the sunroof. Then it about 3 different parts recalled. My door handle broke on both sides. My locks stopped working. As time goes on my truck is literally falling apart. I poured so much money into this thing as if it was a used suv. I would never but doge, jeep, or Chrysler ever again.
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This is why Chrysler went bankrupt. - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By ihatemynitro - February 8 - 9:34 amIll never buy another Dodge. Its too bad because they look pretty cool. This one did. But what a shoddy piece of crap it has turned out to be. The roofrack is peeling from the roof, the breaklights work sporadically, the brake rotors are bad, the a/c evaporator coil is dead and Im told will take at least $1500 to fix. Lets see, what else? Oh yeah, the front passenger window finally gave up and wont roll down (at least its stuck up and not down). The window buttons on the drivers door only work to roll down the rear windows but they can only be rolled up from their respective door buttons. And the buttons come right off. The seats are cheap and the stitching is coming loose.
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It dodges everything but the gas station - 2010 Dodge Nitro
By mazagod - December 31 - 10:12 pmI have been driving this vehicle for about three months and I am not happy about it. I am a tall guy, and I hit my head every time I get into the car. There are huge blind spots, and if someone is sitting next to you in the front passenger seat, it is very hard to see out the window. The engine is not powerful at all, but it does guzzle the gas. Sometimes I put the gas pedal down, and the car actually seems to slow down. There is no storage in the car at all. Dont even get me started on how bad the gas milage is, SUV or not. I would not buy this car again.
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Do not buy this car - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By jander19 - December 19 - 8:24 pmI do love the way this car looks and the pick up the car has. However that is not enough to make up for the stupid little things that have broken on my car. My gas tank needs to be completely replaced now and it will cost me about nine hundred dollars by the end at the low end cost range!! This car is definetely not worth buying and in fact I will never buy a dodge car again b/c of all the issues I have had from this car. Please consider your options before buying this car. Do not get sucked into how the car looks b/c the quality is just not there.
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exterior mirrors - 2010 Dodge Nitro
By owner - October 11 - 2:00 amI am 5 ft 2, the driving part of this SUV isnt the problem, its the outside mirrors. Left turn or right turn it doesnt matter I lose view. I have been trying for a month to get Chrysler and the car lot to help me remedy this, I cant get help, I do have case numbers with both, they say there are no replacement mirrors and they cant put a power seat in, so now I must drive a car Im scared to drive, this is truly a problem that should be in a recall! So nothing bad has to happen and then they put a recall out. Please dont contact me, Ive already talked to everyone
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Dodge Nitro - What a piece of CRAP!!! - 2010 Dodge Nitro
By Mikey - April 2 - 2:06 pmWhen making a decision for a SUV, go buy another vehicle..VW Tiguan was better. The truck is like driving a brick with wheels. If you ever had ridden the "A" train, its sort of the same, the control is very stiff. Also, putting low profile tires and 20" chrome wheels on the car make it look good, but handling is worse. I test drove the same vehicle with 17" rims and it was a little better. Overall its just a shell of car, it looks good, but does not perform well. Dodge needs a redesign. Perhaps add a better engine, and controls.
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Stay Away! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By LMB - March 18 - 10:05 pmI have a 2007 nitro yeah worst thing me an my husband ever did. As soon as it hit 30,000 miles it was in the shop at least a week out of every month if not more. Not one person wants to help find out what is wrong with it. Vibration at 65 mph Yep been there, new Transmission, torque converter, drive shaft you name it we have been there still not right. When you come to a stop an take off you can give it all you got to make it go then it like stalls but not to a stop just doesnt get up an go. Talked about trading it in but they dont wanna even give you what its worth.
