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The 2009 Dodge Nitro sets itself apart from the pack with
distinguished good looks and interior style to match. The Nitro
looks and feels larger than its size. Nitro features a high seating
position and good cabin space. Its Load n Go cargo system makes
loading heavy objects easy thanks to a rear cargo floor that slides
rearward out over the rear bumper and can hold 400 pounds. And the
rear seats and front passenger seat fold totally flat in seconds.
The Nitro comes with either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with a
choice of V6 engines. The cabin is quiet thanks to heavy use of sound deadening
material, and visibility out the rear and to the front corners of the Nitro is
excellent.
The Nitro gets suspension, steering and brake revisions to make the vehicle
more linear and precise for 2009. Dodge says retuned springs, shocks, anti-roll
bars and steering gear valve, plus stiffer rear axles, improve steering and
handling, while a retuned brake booster, low rollback calipers and a revised
brake pedal improve pedal feel. Dodge has also discontinued availability of a
manual transmission, as well as the all-wheel drive system that was offered on
SLT and R/T models.
2009 Trims and Styling Dodge Nitro
The 2009 Dodge Nitro comes as three models, SE, SLT and R/T. All are
available with rear-wheel drive (2WD) or a part-time four-wheel drive (4WD)
system that should not be left engaged on dry pavement.
Nitro
SE 2WD and 4WD come with a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 and a four-speed automatic
transmission. Standard equipment includes cloth upholstery, air conditioning,
remote keyless entry with power windows and door locks, 115-volt power outlet,
flat folding front passenger seat, 60/40 folding rear bench seat, AM/FM/CD with
MP3 with six speakers, Sirius satellite radio, auxiliary input jack, tilt
steering column, slate-colored molded front and rear fascias and fender flares,
folding power mirrors, theft-deterrent system, rear window washer/wiper, roof
rails and P225/75R16 tires on steel wheels with wheel covers.
Nitro SLT and SLT AWD add Yes Essentials cloth upholstery that Dodge says is
stain, odor and static resistant; leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio
controls; six-way power adjustable driver's seat; heated exterior mirrors;
vehicle information center; auto-dimming rearview mirror; universal garage door
opener; fog lights; Load 'n Go cargo storage system with tie-down rails;
115-volt power outlet; chrome interior accents; cruise control; compass; tinted
windows; body-colored front and rear fascias and fender flares; and P235/65R17
tires on aluminum wheels.
Nitro R/T 2WD and R/T AWD feature a 4.0-liter V6 making 260 horsepower, mated
to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability. Options for
all models include leather upholstery with heated front seats; power sunroof;
rear park assist; a Travel Convenience Group with an alarm, heavy-duty
engine cooling, a Class III trailer hitch receiver, a wiring harness and a
full-size spare tire; a Chrome Accents Group with chrome on the side steps, fuel
filler and door sills; and Dodge's UConnect Multimedia Suite, which has a
navigation system with voice command, an iPod adapter, UConnect Phone wireless
cell phone link, 6CD changer, and a 30-gigabyte hard drive to store music and
photos. R/T and SLT offer a Convenience group with rear obstacle detection, an
auto-dimming rearview mirror, Dodge's UConnect wireless cell phone link, remote
engine starting, eight speakers and a subwoofer. The SLT can be ordered with
chrome alloy wheels and the R/T sport suspension.
Safety
equipment that comes standard on all models includes dual front air bags,
head-protecting curtain air bags, and a tire-pressure monitor. Active safety
features include ABS with brake assist, traction control, and electronic
stability control with Trailer Sway Control.
The Dodge Nitro is distinguished by its boxy styling. From the front, the
Nitro is unmistakably Dodge. Our test Nitro R/T was equipped with standard
20-inch chromed aluminum wheels, and they sure are showy. Our preference would
be for taller tires on smaller-diameter wheels.
Interior Comfort and Features and Test Drive
The Dodge Nitro SE comes with the base cloth, while the SLT and R/T get the
premium Yes Essentials fabric designed to repel stains, controls odors and
reduces static electricity. The front buckets were comfortable and supportive,
with excellent bolstering. The four-spoke steering wheel is handsome, with a big
center hub and thick spokes at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, smaller spokes at 5 and
7. Info center buttons are under your thumb on the big spokes. There's good
front-seat legroom, and it feels like there's even more because the dashboard is
narrow. The rear seats are split 60/40 and easily fold flat and the front
passenger seat folds totally flat, great for hauling long objects. The SE model
has a reversible, washable vinyl rear load floor, while SLT and R/T models have
the unique Load n Go system. The 3.7-liter engine is rather harsh-sounding, but
the Nitro's sound-deadening material muffles it well.
The 3.7-liter engine in the SLT is slightly harsh and too slow, and the
four-speed automatic transmission needs another gear. The suspension takes bumps
with a jolt, especially at lower speeds and mostly at the front wheels. Dodge
R/T models are considered high performance, but in this case it's not hot-rod
performance, it's simply a higher level of basic performance by the engine,
transmission and suspension.
The
4.0-liter V6 is a single overhead-cam engine. It's rated at 260 horsepower, 50
more than the engine in the SLT, and it provides 265 pound-feet of torque at
4200 rpm. It refuses to short-shift, or upshift before redline under heavy
throttle. Perhaps in response to those criticisms, Dodge has retuned the
suspension, steering and brakes for 2009 to improve the Nitro's handling and
braking. The Nitro has all the Dodge character. Mechanically, the SE and SLT
models are hindered by the 3.7-liter engine and four-speed automatic
transmission.
2009 Dodge Nitro Conclusions
Dodge's models all have distinguished character, and the Nitro
embodies this in full. It has a large feel in a smaller vehicle,
thanks to a high beltline, high seating position, and amount of
glass at the rear corners. The R/T used to cost more than the SLT,
but for 2009 Dodge has leveled the prices, which makes the R/T the
superior value. "It turns out that the thing actually has...
character. For one thing, it is the first Dodge product I've driven
in years that was absolutely flawless in the things that count --
fit, finish, interior design and comfort, and overall utility." Says
the Washington
Post The R/T has a more powerful and smoother 4.0-liter engine,
which gets about the same gas mileage at the 3.7, along with a good
five-speed automatic transmission. It also has a more comfortable
ride. Test drive one today!