2011 Dodge Nitro Shock Trim Overview

The Shock returns as Dodge’s high-end trim for its 2011 Nitro compact/midsize SUV. There are few differences between the Shock and the less-pricey Detonator trim, although the Shock adds leather-trimmed seating (heated in the front) with contrast stitching and a power sunroof to the lineup of Detonator features. New for 2011, both the Shock and Detonator now sport racing stripes across the hood and front fender, as well as standard 20-inch painted/polished wheels, and offer new color choices.

The Shock’s 4.0-liter SOHC matches the engine found in the Heat 4.0 and Detonator trims, producing 260 hp at 6,000 rpm and 265 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Combined with a standard five-speed automatic transmission, the rear-wheel-drive Shock generates 16 mpg city/21 highway—fuel economy numbers which are often highlighted as one of the major drawbacks of the Nitro. The Shock shares its suspension setup with the other trims, as well. The short and long arm front suspension and a trailing rear suspension leave some wishing for a smoother ride, while others feel the system absorbs the bumps nicely. The hydraulic rack-and-pinion power steering and overall handling, however, have many looking for better control of the vehicle. On the upside, however, even the high-end Shock comes with an MSRP consumers may find reasonable, and the compact/midsize SUV offers admirable towing capabilities, particularly when equipped with the available trailer tow group, which increases towing capacity to 5,000 pounds.

The exterior of the Shock presents a unique combination of boxy and round, with its exaggerated flared fenders and squared-off rear. The front grille boasts the Dodge crosshair design, with foglamps integrated into the front bumper. Dark-tint sunscreen glass in the windows and a standard power sunroof add to the macho look of this SUV. The optional Chrome Accents Group can add to the Shock’s bling, with an additional chrome front fascia detail, fuel door, door sills and tubular side steps.

With seating for five, the front offers a high-seated view of what’s ahead. Significant blind spots from rear roof pillars, however, impede the rear view and make the standard ParkSense rear parking assist system a welcome feature. The rear seats in the Shock recline for comfort and offer ample leg- and headroom. However, these seats are low to the ground, which may leave some wishing for more support. The rear seats also split to fold forward, increasing the rear cargo room from 32.1 cubic feet to a substantial 75.6 cubic feet—one of the advantages of the Nitro over its competitors. The interior of the Shock includes a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, with mounted cruise and audio controls for the standard single-CD/radio system. The high-end trim comes with 8 standard Infinity speakers and a subwoofer, Bluetooth for streaming audio, an auxiliary audio jack and a 1-year trial subscription to Sirius satellite radio. A 6.5-inch touchscreen is available with upgraded stereo packages, which can also add DVD playback, a hard disc drive for music storage and a Garmin GPS system for navigation. A standard overhead console includes controls for both the universal remote and the power sunroof, and an electronic vehicle information system includes a tire pressure monitor. The Shock trim level also provides remote keyless entry with a keyfob for standard power locks, combined with a remote start feature. Manual air conditioning and power windows also appear as standard features in the Shock, whose interior is often criticized for fit and finish issues and hard plastics throughout. Despite these critiques, the ride is, according to most, extremely comfortable and quiet, despite the cheap-feeling interior materials.

Safety features in the Shock include antilock disc brakes for both the front and rear wheels, combined with traction and stability control. Advanced multistage airbags keep the driver and front passenger safe, while supplemental side-curtain airbags protect both the front and rear occupants, and an occupant classification system adjusts the force of the front passenger airbag’s deployment based on the amount of weight sensed in the passenger seat. The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration has not yet tested the 2011 Nitro, but the 2010 model earned a perfect five-star rating for front and side crash tests and a lower three-star rating for rollovers, with a 22.8% risk of a rollover for the rear-wheel-drive Nitro. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the SUV Good for front and rollover crash tests, but only Marginal (its second-lowest rating) for side crashes.