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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  Sunburst Orange lover - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Dubby88 - December 18 - 2:46 pm

  I love this vehicle. We have taken it to Tenn and South Carolina on vacation with five of us. The kids love all of the plugins for thier games and DVD player.

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  Why would you buy Japanese? - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By tony - December 13 - 4:39 am

  This vehicle is overall very nice and a great ride. I love the sort of retro rugged look, compared to the typical frying pan looking Japanese and German cars.

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  Dodge Nitro RT 4X4 - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By MIKE K - December 11 - 5:45 pm

  I had my Nitro R/T for over a month. I average 15 miles a gallon. I really enjoy driving my suv. I feel for the money I paid the interior would have more luxury items. Love the bluetooth feature through the radio, leather seats arent too bad, heated seats are great. Only the driver seat is power, passenger seat isnt. Nitro R/T has 260 hp and great on the pick up.

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  Love my Nitro! - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Jill - December 6 - 12:07 pm

  I traded in my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan for this SUV. I did not want such a large vehicle now that my little ones are getting older they need less stuff to tote around, I test drove Grand Cherokees, Dodge Darango, the new Journeys and the Equinox, nothing could compare to the exterior and interior appeal of the Nitro, especially when it came to price. I really thought I wanted a new Cherokee, until I sat in one for $32,000 and there was nothing in it! But for $9,000 less I got everything I wanted except DVD.

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  Total mistake! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By RudysMomma - November 24 - 5:37 pm

  Since the night I bought this car 12/31/07 it has been a mistake. The night I drove it off the lot the radio died because it blew the fuse. It does that every 3 months or so. Every other time the radio dies and has to be replaced completely. The roof rails have rattled and been loose since day one. They have been replaced 2x under warranty and still rattle. The brackets holding the seats were all rusted and had to be replaced. The door hinges are rusting. The side panel in cargo area was warped and was replaced. Part of dash was bubbling and was replaced. Now the transmission is making noises and hesitating. My driver seat back wont adjust at all. Been a problem since day one. I hate this car

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  NITRO R/T 4.0 - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Jennifer - October 1 - 9:33 am

  I love my Nitro R/T. If you buy a Nitro buy an R/T 4.0L. Dont but a 3.7L. I know it sounds strange, but go for the 4.0. The power difference is amazing. It is fun to drive, there is plenty of head and leg room. I have a 10-year old and a 12-year old, so I promise they have plenty of room in the back seat. Adults also have plenty of room in the back. The steering is excellent, it handles like a small sporty sedan does. The turning is excellent, especially with all the samll parking spaces now available. There is plenty of storage room in the back for groceries, backpacks, etc. I love how it sits up high enough for all to see out but we dont need steps to get in, especially since I am 51".

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  Bad Experience - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Ali - September 25 - 5:33 am

  I bought Nitro on its look and power, didnt know about the poor drivers side view mirror visibility. It could have killed me the other day. and secondly its 4WD doesnt work, i got stuck for about 3 hours on a small piece of sand people laughed a lot. Ali

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  2007 NITRO R/T 4.0 ONLY - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By karen nitro R/T - September 22 - 10:48 am

  I have a 2007 nitro r/t nitro. I put this info once before. I have an answer now. Im having a problem with chattering in front end. Its the serpentine belt. Chrysler cant fix this problem. I had it in the shop twice. The service told me that Chrysler dont touch it. A service rep. came out. He called the eng. They sent out some parts to put on it but, the problem isnt fixed. Its better but, sometimes its still just as loud. I took it over to the dealership. I was getting all of my receipts to send to my atty. The ser. Mgr. Heard it doing it again. Took it in for service and hes gone. I called my atty. They said I have a case for the lemon law. I was told niitro r/t wasnt designed for that size eng?

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  R/T review - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By PA R/T Owner - September 2 - 7:55 am

  Ive had my Inferno Red R/T for about 2 months now and for the most part I am pleased. I love the exterior looks and the torque on the 4.0L V6 is awesome. I live in a very hilly part of Pennsylvania so gas mileage is not the greatest. I average about 13- 14 mpg/city. Also the build quality is a little sub par. Since I have had the vehicle the transmission has leaked, the rear door and hatch panels rattle like crazy with music and the roof rails needed to be replace. End the end. I really love this car. Chrysler just needs to do a better job with their quality control.

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  Very Nice - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By retzman - August 27 - 3:13 am

  We are very happy with our new Nitro. We traded in a 2005 Mustang for it so first impressions were important. Only have around 1000 miles on it and absolely love this vehicle. Great for our Wisconsin winter. The only negative we have at this point is that gas mileage is terrible - hope this changes once the vehicle has broken in some. At this point we are averaging 12 - 13 mpg in the city and the best highway so far has been 19 mpg. (In comparison, I am averaging 16 mpg with my full size Dodge with a 5.9 engine!)