Dodge Nitro 2006–2011 car dimensions: 4584 mm long, 1856 mm wide and 1773 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,875 kg. Braked towing is 2,270 kg.
The SX cabin seats five with cloth trim, manual air conditioning, cruise control and a tilt steering wheel. A six-disc CD/DVD player with MP3 plays through four speakers. higher grades or the SX-R add a touchscreen Media Centre with navigation and Bluetooth. Rear parking sensors are standard. Fold-flat front passenger and 65/35 split rear seats create a flat load floor. No camera, AEB, blind-spot or lane systems appear on any grade.
Boot space measures 397 litres behind the rear seats and expands to 1479 litres with them folded. The passenger seat folds flat for long items and a cargo cover is fitted. A sliding Load ’n Go floor is available on higher grades.
Braked towing reaches 2270 kg with a weight-distributing hitch or 1600 kg without. unbraked capacity is 750 kg. Payload is 665 kg on a 2540 kg GVM. Performance-tuned sports suspension is standard across the range for firmer on-road manners.
The cabin seats five adults with good head and leg room. Front passenger seat folds flat and rear 65/35 seats fold and recline for a near-flat load floor. SX has manual cloth seats and manual air conditioning. power six-way driver seat, leather and heated front seats are on higher grades or options. Power sunroof is optional. Deep-tint side and rear glass is fitted. Controls sit where expected with a tilt steering wheel and available media centre.
Petrol 3.7L V6 uses 12.4 L/100km combined.
Service every 12,000 km or 6 months.
Warranty 3 years/100,000 km.
Standard kit: dual front multi-stage airbags, side-curtain airbags with roll sensing, ABS, ESC with traction control and electronic roll mitigation, brake assist, rear park sensors, tyre pressure monitoring.
The 3.7-litre V6 petrol runs on regular unleaded and returns a combined figure of 12.4 L/100km with a tank around 74 litres. City use is higher at 17.4 L/100km.
Servicing is due every 12,000 km or six months. Keep a full history as electrical items such as air-conditioning and windows can develop faults over time.
Safety kit is solid for the era with multi-stage front airbags, full-length side curtains, ESC, traction control, roll mitigation, ABS and brake assist all standard, plus rear parking sensors and tyre-pressure monitoring. No ANCAP star rating was issued.
The part-time 4WD shifts on the fly and is best for slippery roads rather than serious off-road. Check roof rails stay secure and that any dealer-fitted reverse camera works cleanly. Regular oil and fluid changes keep the automatic and V6 reliable.
Length 4584 mm, Width 1856 mm, Height 1773 mm, Wheelbase 2763 mm (Nitro 2006–2011)
Sources: manufacturer data, 2010 Dodge Nitro Australian brochure, Chrysler Europe specification sheet states that same, 2008 Dodge Nitro specifications.