2010 Dodge Nitro

The 2010 Dodge Nitro gains a deceleration fuel cut-off feature when equipped with the 3.7-liter V6. Nitro was one heck of an American Gladiator. Sadly, the 2010 Dodge Nitro doesn't live up to its namesake as an American-made SUV gladiator.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2010 Dodge Nitro is a five-passenger SUV available in Heat, Detonator and Shock trim levels. Standard equipment includes 20-inch chrome-clad wheels, foglamps, roof rails, tinted windows, keyless entry, full power accessories, heated mirrors, air-conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, a 60/40-split-folding and reclining rear seat and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The Nitro Shock trim adds different 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, leather upholstery and heated seats.

The Dodge Nitro Heat comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine that produces 210 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available, with the latter being a part-time system with high- and low-range gearing. This engine returns an EPA-estimated 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 16/20/17 with four-wheel drive. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 16/21/18 with rear-drive and 15/21/17 with four-wheel. In performance testing, a rear-drive Nitro with the 4.0-liter engine went from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.

Safety
The stability control includes a trailer sway control feature. Rear parking sensors are standard on the Detonator and Shock. In government crash tests, the 2010 Dodge Nitro achieved a top five-star rating in all frontal and side crash categories. There are 32 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat.

Driving Impressions
With its aggressive styling and macho name, you'd think that the 2010 Dodge Nitro offered vigorous power and acceleration.

2011 Dodge Nitro

For 2011, the Dodge Nitro gets a few new standard and optional features. Underneath the buff bod, the Nitro shares its platform with the Jeep Liberty.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Dodge Nitro is a five-passenger SUV available in Heat, Detonator and Shock trim levels.

There is also the available Heat 4.0 package that includes a bigger V6 engine, an upgraded nine-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Nitro Shock trim adds different 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, leather upholstery and heated seats.

The Dodge Nitro Heat comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine that produces 210 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque.

Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available, with the latter being a part-time system with high- and low-range gearing. EPA estimates are an underwhelming 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 16/20/17 with four-wheel drive. In performance testing, a rear-drive Nitro with the 4.0-liter engine went from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds while a 4x4 model hit the target speed in 8.2 seconds.

Safety
The stability control includes a trailer sway control feature. Rear parking sensors are standard on the Detonator and Shock.

The 2011 Dodge Nitro has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedures. In Edmunds brake testing, a Nitro with the optional 20-inch wheels came to a stop from 60 mph in 122 feet -- good performance for this type of vehicle.

With the rear seats folded, there are 65 cubic feet of cargo space available, about average for this class.

Driving Impressions
With its aggressive styling and macho name, you'd think that the 2011 Dodge Nitro offered vigorous power and acceleration.