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:
Showing 31 through 40 of 296.00-
Poor mileage - 2008 Dodge Nitro
By WWALKER - April 17 - 10:46 amYou can actually see the fuel gauge move in this vehicle. I have owned vehicles in most all styles & from all different car companies over the past 40+ years. Up until I got this nitro with the 3.7 v-6, I have always loved Chrysler products. I was even a loyal Chrysler man back in the 1970s/ when "build quality" was just a word in the dictionary at Chrysler. Overall I am unhappy w/ this vehicle. I should have gotten the hemi, as it could not drink any more gas than this 3.7 does. This vehicle get the worse fuel economy of any of any vehicle that I have ever owned or driven. The 3.7 is also low on power, if you intend to make a pass, you better plan ahead & allow lots of room.
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Good for the money - 2008 Dodge Nitro
By Piyux - March 24 - 8:57 pmI got this vehicle as a rental for a couple of weeks, it was practically new with only 2000 miles and I had a good chance to evaluate its features so here is my opinion to be shared with you, potential Nitro buyer. EXTERIOR: Good looking mid-size SUV. Its external design is appealing and it has the look of a tough all terrain SUV able to handle anything, I have to admit that from any angle it looks good and tall. INTERIOR: Well distributed space, not high quality finishing but OK. Im 62" and I had no space problems, leg room was OK for driver and passengers. I feature I loved is that you can fold down all the seats creating a large cargo space for what you may need. They tried to max
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Fustrated - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By Im fustrated - March 13 - 8:02 pmWe bought the Nitro in August. Has been in the shop a few times for pulling right. Its had two alignments and still pulls. Today it shut off on me. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone elso.
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DO NOT BUY!!!!! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By Steph - November 10 - 1:53 pmIve had problems with my car since I picked it up from the dealership. Its been in the shop 17 times now! Had the transmission replaced twice, the electrical system replaced 3 times and so many systems updates my head spins. I no longer feel safe in the vehicle. It has shut off on me numerous times, with once going up a bridge. I almost killed the person behind me and another time while I was out of town, and Dodge made me pay to have it towed back to my town! Lights constantly coming on and off, the doors rattle when the radio is on, the transmission jumps and the whole car rides rough. DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE! Dodge has done nothing to help me. By time I could LemonLaw, it was too late
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Dont Buy A Nitro Just Yet! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By lottachops - October 28 - 3:23 pmDo not buy the Nitro at this time. I bought a 2007 and have had transmission problems that started about a month after I got it. Ive taken it in for flash computer upgrades, but it still has a bucking problem. I did some research and found that this is not an isolated case. It seems that corporate really doesnt know what to do. They keep sending you back to reprogram the computer to make you feel better for a while, but it doesnt fix the problem. I have owned a Chevy and a Ford before this and have never had these problems. I would say to anyone looking at the Nitro... get something else or wait until they get this transmission problem taken care of.
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Dissapointed in Nebraska - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By mcculjim - September 1 - 10:26 amI have had this vehicle a week short of 2 months and have 3000 miles on it. So far I have had several problems with this car. The first problem was that I was driving down the street and the car just quit. Dash startup system lights came on and it just quit. I took it to the dealer and they couldnt find any "codes" in the car showing it happened. Then a couple of weeks later the electric lock swith plate on the drivers door quit working. I am waiting for them to get one from somewhere. Now just yesterday the car quit running going down the road again. Locks popped up and it just quit. This is very annoying after paying almost 26,000 for this thing.
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Just wish I hadnt bought it! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By Karen Kay - January 25 - 5:30 pmA car ownership nightmare! Ive had the car in the dealership 4 times in 8 months. It misses, hesitates, cant decide what gear it wants to be in....whatever you want to call it. They even replaced the transmission!! Now Chrysler says it cant be fixed & has declared the vehicle a lemon! Its still going to cost a lot of money cause they dont just take it back & give you a new one. You only get trade-in value & I wasnt ready to put out the bucks for a new car. Buyers beware!
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Not Sure I Made the Right Decision! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By Grz - October 15 - 1:06 amI went from a 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo SS to this and was I disappointed. The test drive was fine. The problems didnt seem to show up till the drive home. The vehicle surges from 0-40 mph and struggles to find the right gear. It sounds like it is in the wrong gear when accelerating. Hwy speeds are okay. If you need to merge dont do it. This vehicle has no pick up for passing. 2 days after I bought it I was back at the service center getting my recall fixed. I didnt know it was legal for a dealership to sell a car with a potentially deadly recall on it. I cant wait for that survey to show up. I must say it does gets some heads turning. All eyes are on me when I pull up but I miss my Chevy!
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Not Happy, Nitro Vibration and Rust issues - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By John Nichols - October 21 - 8:33 amI drove this SLT model for most of a snowy winter. The chrome grille now has major rust like discoloration penetrating it. Looks bad, Dodge wont replace it, I washed it when possible but this brightwork has really deteriorated in a few short months.You would think it should be able to withstand normal Colorado winter driving. Has an ongoing vibration, very annoying. The dealer has checked it out, states "thats just the normal thing for the torque converter to do." I know better than that! Complained to Dodge headquarters, No positive help at all. Look out, buyers beware, Dodge is slipping in quality and in taking care of customer.They have lost me.
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Not what I expected - 2007 Dodge Nitro
By Barb - October 4 - 5:43 amLove the way it looks, but it stops there. Since I bought this SUV it has been in the shop 13 times and Im taking it back again. ABS lights have been on forever they cant seem to fix it. All sensors have been replaced, and modules and bearings and rear axle a new electrical harness, radio and I caould go on and on. This is a nightmare. The lemon law is gonna work for me on this one. Dont buy it. Theres no pick up and go and no room for feet in floor board. Also bad blind spot. Noisy and engine tics and runs rough. Also 2 new brains, Im sure Im forgetting something.
