2011 Dodge Nitro Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2011 Dodge Nitro compact SUV doesn't see a lot of changes for its final year of production, but customers who appreciate the aggressive...

The 2011 Dodge Nitro compact SUV doesn't see a lot of changes for its final year of production, but customers who appreciate the aggressive styling of the Nitro won't want for much more.

Base Heat trims are equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 with a four-speed automatic that puts out 210 hp to the rear wheels and twists 235 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain gets about 16 mpg city and 22 highway and moves from 0-60 in roughly 9.5 seconds.

The Detonator and Shock trim lines are up-optioned variants of the Nitro and see a larger engine that still gets the same 16 miles per gallon in city driving. They drop a bit in mileage for highway driving, to 21 mpg, but offer increases of 50 hp and 30 lb-ft of torque. Both utilize a 4.0-liter V6 engine, but with a five-speed automatic transmission rather than a four-speed.

Both the Shock and Detonator trim lines are also available with four-wheel or rear-wheel drive. However, these different drive systems do not seem to account for a harsh ride and anemic powertrain, despite what in other vehicles would be strong power numbers.

And while the 2011 is likely to continue the 2010's interior trim options with lots of aluminum and powerful stereo systems, build quality is an issue, according to many drivers. The base Dodge Nitro Heat trims come with a six-speaker stereo system with AM/FM radio, CD player, and MP3 player input, while the Detonator and Shock add an additional three speakers. They also get steering-wheel-mounted controls for ease of use while driving.

The interior is comfortable according to many reviewers, at least for passengers. The cloth seats are supportive, and many accessories included on most trims offer a pleasant feel. The driver, however, will have to deal with steering that feels like that of a compact or medium-size truck, a fact not changed for the 2011 model year.

On the other hand, some people buy compact SUVs like the Dodge Nitro to do SUV-like things, and in that case the 2011 still offers 5,000 pounds of towing capability that should be more than enough to tow things that won't fit in the admittedly large cargo area. With all five seats used by driver and passengers, it still offers a fair 32.1 cubic feet of storage; fold the rear seats down and maximum capacity doubles to more than 75 cubic feet in the final model year of the Nitro.

If you're looking for bright sides, the options available for the Nitro are stellar. Front airbags and antilock brakes are standard, as well as a three-point rear center seat belt. Up-rated Detonator and Shock trims also get a driver information system with an integrated trip computer, exterior temperature display, and illuminated vanity mirrors.

The Nitro is perhaps a good fit for someone who's used to trucks, but needs something smaller and somewhat more fuel efficient that can still handle a trailer hitch for a small boat or jet skis. Its available option profile is extensive, and the styling sets it apart from other compact SUVs on the road.