The Dodge Nitro is a compact SUV manufactured and marketed by

Dodge Dodge is an American brand of automobiles and a division of Stellantis, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Dodge vehicles have historically included performance cars, and for much of its existence, Dodge was Chrysler's mid-priced brand above P ...

for model years 2007–2012 across a single generation — as a close variant of the second-generation Jeep Liberty. Both vehicles use a composite unitized construction integrating the body structure with full-length frame rails. The Nitro entered production in August 2006 aside the Liberty at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in

Toledo, Ohio Toledo ( ) is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is located at the western end of Lake Erie along the Maumee River. Toledo is the List of cities in Ohio, fourth-most populous city in Ohio and List of United Sta ...

and was offered in a single, four-door body configuration. Like the Liberty, it was manufactured in RHD and LHD configurations, and marketed globally. Sales commenced in September 2006 for model year 2007 in

rear-wheel drive Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the rear wheels only. Until the late 20th century, rear-wheel drive was the most common configuration for cars. Most rear-whee ...

or optional and part-time

four-wheel drive A four-wheel drive, also called 4×4 ("four by four") or 4WD, is a two-axled vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via a transfer case pr ...

. Approximately 200,000 Nitro models were manufactured before production ended in December 2011.

Background

The Nitro debuted in February 2005 at the

Chicago Auto Show The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Place convention center. It is the largest auto show in North America. Event History Samuel Miles, formerly a promoter of bicycle shows, produced the first "official" ...

as a concept with aluminum-trimmed vents door handles and rear hatch, as well as an interior with a center stack and shifter in satin silver. The Nitro became Dodge's first compact SUV model since the Raider was discontinued in 1990. It also became the first modern Dodge marketed in

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

, where the Nitro was Dodge's only SUV until the 2009 model year when the larger, car-based, lower-priced

Dodge Journey The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Dodge brand for model years 2009 to 2020 over a single generation, with a facelift for the 2011 model year. The Journey was styled by Ryan N ...

crossover SUV A crossover, crossover SUV, or crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is a type of automobile with an increased ride height that is built on unibody chassis construction shared with passenger cars, as opposed to traditional sport utility vehicles ( ...

arrived. The Nitro shares mechanicals and much bodywork with its platform-mate, the Jeep Liberty, while using a slightly extended wheelbase, the extra length split between the rear seat and cargo areas. The Nitro debuted with an SUV class-leading towing capacity. Safety features such as electronic roll mitigation, traction control, and side curtain airbags, as well as a functional sliding cargo floor marketed as ''Load 'N Go'' were offered as standard equipment. The system allows a moveable floor panel to slide out from the cargo area by 18 in (457 mm) to ease loading.

Model years

For its debut in 2007, two-wheel and four-wheel drive were offered, along with a choice of a 3.7 L or 4.0 L V6 engines. The model designations were the SXT, SLT, and R/T. Available interior seating surfaces included cloth, stain-repellent cloth, and perforated leather. Standard safety features included front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, an electronic stability program with traction control and brake assist, electronic roll mitigation, and a tire-pressure monitor. The

four-cylinder The engine configuration describes the fundamental operating principles by which internal combustion engines are categorized. Piston engines are often categorized by their cylinder layout, valves and camshafts. Wankel engines are often categoriz ...

version was sold exclusively in

. For the 2008 model year, the Nitro came in both 4x2 and 4x4 versions in SXT and SLT trim levels, each with a standard 210-hp 3.7 L V6 engine. The SXT trim included a standard six-speed manual transmission with an optional four-speed automatic. The SLT trim included a standard four-speed automatic. The optional R/T package increased the level of equipment with a 260-hp 4.0 L V6 engine mated to a five-speed

automatic transmission An automatic transmission (AT) or automatic gearbox is a multi-speed transmission (mechanics), transmission used in motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving conditions. The 1904 ...

. The Nitro's SXT trim included standard power mirrors, windows, and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, air conditioning, and seating for five. The SXT and R/T added alloy wheels, a power driver's seat, stain-repellent cloth, the ''Load 'N Go'' retractable cargo floor, fold-flat front-row passenger seat, cruise control, and an overhead console with a trip computer, compass, and exterior temperature display. Standard safety features included front airbags, side curtain airbags, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor. Dodge Nitro RT

In 2009, the Nitro was offered in both 4x2 and 4x4 versions with two trims levels: SE and SLT. Both came with a standard 210-hp 3.7 L V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The SXT with its six-speed

manual transmission A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canadian English, Canada, British English, the United Kingdom and American English, the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed ...

had been replaced by the SE trim that featured the automatic transmission. The SLT trim offered the optional R/T package which was made available with a 260-hp 4.0 L V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Nitro's SE trim standards included power mirrors, windows, and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, air conditioning, and seating for five. The SXT and R/T added alloy wheels, a power driver's seat, stain-repellent cloth, the ''Load 'N Go'' retractable cargo floor, cruise control, and an overhead console with a trip computer, compass, and exterior temperature display. Standard safety features include front airbags, side curtain airbags, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor. For the 2010 model year, three trim levels were offered: Heat, Detonator, and Shock trim levels in either 4x2 or 4x4 versions. The Heat trim was equipped with a 210-hp 3.7 L V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The Detonator and Shock trims included a 260-hp V6 engine mated to an automatic transmission. The Heat trim level had power mirrors, windows, and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, and air conditioning. The Detonator added a rear-park assist, remote start system, power driver's seat, cruise control, an overhead console with a trip computer, compass, and exterior temperature display. The Shock trim added heated front seats, leather trim interior, and a power sunroof. Among standard safety features were: front airbags, side curtain airbags, active head restraints, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor. The ''Load 'N Go'' sliding trunk floor feature was discontinued. 2011 Dodge Nitro Detonator -- 2011 DC

The 2011 model year continued the previous models in 4x2 or 4x4 versions with the same engines and transmissions. New for 2011 was the Heat 4.0 lifestyle package. The Heat 4.0 came standard with a five-speed

, Uconnect Phone, and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system. Also, select models came with upgraded interiors with new cloth and leather with premium colored stitching. Detonator and Shock were branded with Dodge Brand's signature racing stripes. Additionally, all models became available with nine exterior colors, including Bright White Clear Coat, Blackberry Pearl Coat, Toxic Orange Pearl Coat, and Redline Two Coat Pearl. Chrysler built 2012 Dodge Nitros for the fleet market only, featured in retail brochures, but not indicated on Dodge's United States & Canada websites. The final Nitro came off the assembly line in December 2011, with a total of 175,510 (conflicts with number below) units built since its introduction.

Australia

In Australia, versions could have only the 3.7 L V6 in SXT trim with automatic transmission. No manual option was offered, but diesels were on sale until 2010 MY.

Withdrawn Europe commercial

In early 2007, a TV advertisement in Europe for the Nitro with the tag line: ''"charged with adrenaline"'', showed a dog electrocuted after lifting its leg on the SUV's front wheel. The ad received negative attention and was withdrawn.

U.S. sales figures

References

External links

{{Dodge

Nitro Nitro may refer to: Chemistry *Nitrogen, a chemical element and a gas except at very low temperatures, with which many compounds are formed: **Nitro compound, an organic compound containing one or more nitro functional groups, -NO2 **Nitro ligand ...

Compact sport utility vehicles All-wheel-drive vehicles Rear-wheel-drive vehicles 2010s cars Cars introduced in 2006 Cars discontinued in 2011 Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States