2008 Dodge Nitro SXT CRD review

By Paul Maric | April 15th, 2008

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2008 Dodge Nitro SXT CRD Road Test

Model tested: Dodge Nitro SXT CRD

Recommended Retail Price: $43,490.

Options fitted: None.

Brute styling, sound system, features

Handling, too much plastic

CarAdvice rating: (3.75)

- Photographs and review by Paul Maric

Upon first glance it could be mistaken for a piece of military equipment capable of running over small houses. On second glance though, rubber tyres and a chrome grille slot it into the category of SUV.

There is literally a large step to get to the driver’s seat, where a commanding position is then taken. The bonnet seems like it goes on forever, making the front corners of the bonnet easy to see. The driver’s seat is comfortable and offers a relaxing position for long drives.

The interior – much like most American cars – is seemingly made entirely of plastic. I couldn’t believe the degree of plastics used in the Dodge Caliber I drove last year. Although the Nitro has a lot of plastic in use too, it’s not as bad as the Caliber, but on the same token, is not at a level I would call acceptable for a ~$40,000 car.

I test drove the Nitro SXT CRD, under the bonnet a Mercedes-Benz sourced diesel motor and gearbox powers the Nitro. Nail the throttle and after a short stint of turbo lag, a torrent of torque hits, propelling the military vehicle lookalike with pace. The diesel motor produces 130kW and a massive 460Nm of torque, sipping through just 9.4l/100km, not bad for such a big car. Power is sent through a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

Although the acceleration on tap is plenty, the Nitro doesn’t handle – at all. Throw the Nitro around a bit and a feeling of insecurity is instantly felt. Body roll, a lack of steering response and spongy brakes culminate to a less than pleasing driving experience. Although the body roll is acceptable for an SUV, it doesn’t make the Nitro a car that can be used in all situations, which is the purpose of an SUV.

In terms of 4WD equipment, the Nitro has a switchable 4WD mode which has the ability to redirect power from the rear wheels when it senses slippage. With the massive plastic overhangs both front and rear, I didn’t bother trying the Nitro in any off-road situations, due to the fear of breaking off bumper bars and the like.

The passenger cabin is well equipped. A big sound system with auxiliary input and MP3 compatibility, along with full electrics (windows and mirrors) headline the features list. Rear leg room is acceptable, but adults may find room width-wise somewhat limited. The window size is quite rectangular and small, some passengers complained of a sense of claustrophobia.

Priced from $36,990, the Nitro is available in both petrol and diesel models, the latter of which is more expensive. The range includes the SX and SXT. The SXT CRD being test driven is available from $43,490. Safety features include: ESP (Electronic Stability Control) with ABS; tyre pressure monitoring; driver and passenger airbags and side airbags with roll sensing technology.

Despite the masses of plastic in the cabin and the questionable handling, the Dodge Nitro is a decent addition to the SUV market. The boxy American styling is appealing to some and certainly gets the attention of most. The impressive fuel consumption places the diesel model as my pick of the Nitros, and if the styling is something that tickles your fancy, the Nitro is a good purchase option.

CarAdvice overall rating:

How does it drive:

How does it look:

How does it go:

2008 Dodge Nitro SXT CRD Specifications

Engine: 2.8-litre
Power: 130kW
Torque: 460Nm
Top speed: 182km/h
Safety: Electronic stability control- front air bags – side airbags – front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters.
0-100km/h: 10.8-seconds
EuroNCAP rating: N/A
Turning circle: 11.1m
Fuel tank: 70 litres
Fuel consumption : 9.4-litres/100km
Fuel type: Diesel

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Casey

It looks tough, but I’m not sure I could live with an American car. Reputation and plastic – not a good combo.
http://navelcontemplation.blogspot.com Supercujo

If the diesel drinks 9.4L/100km, how much does the petrol version drink?
http://deleted Alex

I wouldn’t want an american car either – except for american built BMWs because the quality is still there but I cant help but think this is the poorer mans Hummer. Its probably just me and I know it doesn’t look all that much like a Hummer but its big and american with styling to match and Hummer was there first.
edaw

The Diesel engine is not a Merc unit, it is a VM Motori Job, same as in the Cherokee and Wrangler, the gearbox however is a previous Merc unit used in a wide variety of current Chrysler vehicles.
Carl

Edaw, Every other review I’ve read on this car claims that the engine is Mercedes sourced as well ???????

What a shame most good looking cars are poorly built and well built cars are boring or even ugly…eg: Subaru’s and Toyota’s!!!!
Ab

uggo!
Captain Mainwaring

This thing is is as in-your-face ugly as its handling is primitive. And because it’s a Chrysler, it will spend more time in the workshop than on the road. It has no place on the shopping list of a half-intelligent consumer. Despite this, they will probably sell a few because there’s no accounting for the taste of some people.
And I’m sure it has the same tractor-like VM diesel as the Cherokee – why would they change that when it’s on the Cherokee platform?
Carl

oooouuuuuukay!!!

it’s easier to criticise that to be constructive and as far as looks go NO ONE has all the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Phill

Better watch out,its Nitro Active.What the hell does that mean?
JW

Fisher Price interior.
o

our neighbours have a red one its cool
troy

hey!!

i said fisher price interior to a mate last week when asked my opinion on these!!

haha thats too funny!
troy

so jeep is still using other companies parts???

it used to stand for

Just
EveryONE
Elses
Parts
Grant

what is it with american car companies and big, ugly, square, plastic, truck-like styled cars.
edaw

Carl, I know, it is driving me bananas, even with the new Cherokee they are all going on about the “Merc” diesel, it’s not, it is a VM Motori Engine, development of the previous 2.8 VM used in the JK Cherokee. Not sure where it is manufactured, as Detroit Diesel owns VM Motori, and I think Dailmer does have a finacial stake in them, but regardless of who pays who, it is NOT A MERC ENGINE!!
P.S., this does not apply to the 3.0 V6 Diesel used in the Grand Cherokee, Commander, 300C, that IS a MERC Engine.
edaw

Caradvice, did you confirm these prices recently, I believe the RRP for the Nitro SXT CRD is now $47,990!! Why the increase? Because they can, apparently they are lining up at the Dodgy doors.

N.b. just checked, petrol modesl are up by 2k, diesel models are up by 4k. How can they get away with this??
Carl

Edaw…..I’ll have to take your word on those engines because I’m not an expert on these cars only did some research coz i was interested in the Jeep Patriot Diesel but maybe the confusion comes from the 3.0 diesel being from Mercedes!!!

Having said that even the Jeep sales man didn’t know the Patriot diesel was VW sourced….he tried to convince me it was a merc. but i told him that the VW engine was a cracker anyway just as good as anything Mercedes make at that level!!!!
stumpy

The Jeep Wrangler, in the European market, introduced for the first time in year 2007 a 4 cylinder 2.8L diesel engine.
This vehicle is built in Toledo, Ohio (USA), in the two versions with manual and automatic transmission, both featuring a power rating of 170 CV and a torque of 410 Nm.

Engine 2.8L
Displacement 2776
Cylinders 4 in line
Valves 16
Injection Common Rail Piezo 1600 bar
Max power 130 kW
Torque 410 Nm
Weight 205 Kg
Emissions Euro 4
Off the Vm site.

This is the version that will be in the Dodge.

Vm also supply and have supplied other companies including Toyota for the Landcruiser and are also supplying engines for the new London Cabs.
jamison

We had this car to drive from Airport when we got here in the states…

Its crap…. thats the nicest thing I can say about it… the interior sags… the drive train is mediocre… the room inside is tighter than a 15 year old school girl.

Nothing good…. looks wise its debatable..
- bee
  
  not something you should write in a car review don’t u think? that puts u in the pedo class hey! Maybe u were too fat for car instead!
hole

how good is the Nitro on the beach
Tharun

Drove it over a foot of water and engine got screwed SUV bloody hell nooo. . .i mean there were cars goin over the water . .
Jol

Paul, I thought you were a little harsh.

Saying that the Nitro doesn’t handle like a car?? No, last time I looked it was a 4×4…. But let’s focus on the negative stuff in your review, because it’s easier… You don’t have to do any research that way )

The motor is VM Motori not Merc, and while Turbo lag may happen when you PLANT your foot….. something tells me you gave the Nitro a good hard flog, then questioned why it used so much diesel and didn’t keep up with the M3 you were racing at the time???

I drove one last week, didn’t mind it at all. The car looks great in the metal and the SXT came with a leather int and conf seats. Plenty of room inside and

Each to his own, if you prefer being an also-ran, this car ain’t for you.
Roger

We are supposed to talk about merits and demerits as discerning and sensible people not equating American to anything that is crap, low-quality and then talk about other people’s poor taste as well. What a sad life one would have to hate anything American all his life.

I test-drove one. I liked it not for its shortcomings but for its strengths. Handling? Well, it’s a truck.
Michael

My wife and I bought a new SXT diesel last month to tow our horse float, the only vehicle with enough torque without spending $60-$70K. Absolutely awesome vehicle on the highway,great handling, heaps of power, all the bling that you could want. As for all those people who think there is too much plastic inside, take a look at all the Japanese and Korean cars on the market-PLASTIC ABOUNDS!Do yourself a favour and buy one, you know you want to!
- Panda47
  
  Hi there, I am looking at buying a SXT diesel to tow a float with two horses. Total weight estimated to be 2500kg. Do you think it would tow that weight alright? Thanks
Tomas79

I still reckon the best looking soft-roader around!!
ima leeeegend

some of you guys carry on a bit, do us all favour get out and live a lil, or get a new missus, she bringin ya moods way down!! ha ha
- Len E. Metwurst
  
  Great critics some of you blokes make! You talk about style and in your face. Landcruisers, Prados, and the majority of the others are about exciting as a caravan park. Have a look at the power this vehicle puts out for its engine capacity! You’ll spend another $20k + to get an equivalent Jap/Korean luxo barge. Mine pulls my racecar around effortlessly all day everyday. Real comfy as well. I don’t race my Nitro so I don’t give a hoot if it doesn’t pull 3G’s through corners. Plastic? Get a load of the competition’s interiors! What did you expect… Carbon Fibre? And oh by the way, what about the fake timber treatment you get in those Jap and Korean slugs? I thought that was the domain of American cars! Mmmmm ..not much said about that either. Get a grip!
http://www.oldcarsforsales.com Old cars

I have an ’07 Nitro SLT with 85k miles on it. I’ve been pretty happy so far; no troubles, knock on wood. I just wish Dodge had seen fit to put a little bigger V6 in it or at least something with a little more bottom end.
Ragni

I bought 2007 Dodge Nitro CRD and it has a problem the fuel leaks, the customer care service is hopeless,
CarlMc

If vehicles dashboards are not plastic, what other materials are used, leather? Woodgrain plastic?
I remember seeing leather cracked dashes from sitting in sun over a few yrs, is not plastic better?
Most dashes today have covers to protect from sun, remember the old venitian blinds on back window, made from aluminium

It would seem ALL cars today have plastics, so whats the fuss? Plastics easy to clean,just 2 coats of Armour Oil each yr keep it subtle
Graham

Hi I live in New Zealand where 4×4 vehicles are used extensively because of the type of terrain we live in. I have had several types of 4x4s as I hunt and fish in some very rough areas. I now own a Nitro 4×4 2.8 6 speed manual. which we really enjoy , but it you could not stack it against the bigger 4×4 in the hills or river beds,its a matter of knowing its limitations. Yes there is a lot of plastic which I was not happy with but after coming to grief on a track up in the hills and sliding into a bang and dropping into a drain about 700mm deep I couldn’t get over the lack of damage to the body as I did hit pretty hard. We also tow a 17ft caravan with endless power. I have just been up North for a quick trip 1100k and had an average of 9.7lt per 100k As much as its not everything I could want in a 4×4 its not to bad, plus it gets the looks. If you want a real 4×4 then you will have to spent the money.
- Panda47
  
  Im thinking of buying a Nitro diesel to tow a horse float all up weight inclu horses would be 2200kg. What weight is your caravan? Do they make good towing vehicles? Thanks Julie
http://google nortiinikki

can someone write some serious genuine reveiws please what is it with you guys….chillax a little and stop with the negative !!!
how does one make a decision when there is nothing to make a decision on ?? please give a decent review wanting to make a decision on fualts and the real pros and cons on the car…anyone ??? owners out there wanting to speak from experience please sumbit now ??
Mario

It’s funny how American Cars are always beat up on for using other makers parts. But is it not wiser to use another makes parts if they are better than what you can make.

We took a Nitro for a test drive today and where impressed. I have been reading a lot of negative views online and I can say most people don’t seem to make sense or be accurate. Unless you own one I suggest you reserve your comments.

nortiinikki, I will try and give you a good review.

First off, people that saying the interior is poor quality plastic I would say is plain incorrect. I have owned many Euro and Jap cars and actually found the interior quality to be on par with my current Honda Accord Euro. I am really not sure where people expect Dodge to try better.

The door handles are solid metal for Christ sake. Personally I hate the fake wood grain or carbon fibre some cars are using these days.

Next comes handling, well I would agree it seems a bit soft but you have got to remember the Nitro is not a car and you can’t expect car dynamics. The suspension does seem harder than the Ford Territory however.

Also people are mentioning the limited interior space. This has got to be the best BS yet. I am 6ft 4″ and found after adjusting the front seat I could set in the rear seat behind me and still have about 6″ in front of my knees. I think a lot of people have the interior space of the Nitro confused with the Jeep range.

Anyway I really wanted to give an honest response to the mis-truths about the Nitro. If you are reading this with the interest of purchasing, go and take one for a test drive and decide for yourself. I mean after all, they are about the only 4×4 that turns heads.

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2008 Dodge Nitro SXT CRD review

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