2008 Dodge Nitro in Asheville, NC - $5,990

With its bold styling and aggressive stance, the Dodge Nitro is the nameplate's first mid-size SUV. The five-passenger Nitro features bold, aggressive street-smart styling with performance to match. The midsize Dodge SUV offers all the SUV must-haves: space, functionality and flexibility.

Enhancements and upgrades for 2010 include: standard front-row active head restraints; standard air filtration system; fuel-saver with "ECO" lamp indicator in the instrument cluster; six-speaker audio system; power-heated manual folding mirrors; and new premium cloth seat trim with stain-repel seat fabric. SE adds a new Dark Pebble Beige interior. SXT adds standard body-colored grille with bright billets, body-colored sills and front air dam; express-up front-passenger window; security alarm; new Pastel Pebble Beige interior; and available leather seat trim.

Offered in SE and SXT trim levels, base power is generated by a 3.7L V6 engine. A more powerful 4.0L V6 is an available option. Motion is transferred to the wheels through the standard 42RLE four-speed (3.7L V6) automatic or the W5A580 five-speed automatic (4.0L V6) with overdrive. Motorists can choose between rear-wheel or available all wheel drive systems.

The Dodge SUV shares its underpinnings with the proven Jeep Liberty. With a robust steel unibody as the foundation, control hardware includes upper and lower "A" arms, coil springs, low-pressure gas-charged shock absorbers and stabilizer bar in front; live axle, upper and lower trailing arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar and low-pressure gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear.

Inside the well-equipped cabin is a number of features usually found on upscale vehicles costing thousands more. A partial listing of standard equipment includes: two 12-volt auxiliary power outlets; one 115-volt AC inverter outlet; AM/FM stereo radio with single CD player and MP3/WMA auxiliary jack; reclining 60/40 spilt-folding rear seat; power windows, locks and mirrors; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; and floor mats.

Nitro's fold-flat front passenger seat and second-row seats offer a variety of loading options. The Nitro also features a LOAD ‘N GO cargo floor which slides 18-inches rearward for easy loading and unloading and holds up to 400 pounds.

Dimensions & specifications

Wheelbase: 108.8; overall length: 178.9; width: 73.1; height: 69.9

All measurements are in inches

Engine: 3.7L V6 – 210 hp at 5,200 rpm and 235 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm; 4.0L V6 – 260 hp at 6,000 rpm and 265 lbs-ft of toque at 4,200 rpm

Transmission: four-speed automatic, five-speed automatic.

EPA Fuel Economy: 3.7L V6 – 16 city/22 hwy. (RWD), 15 city/21 hwy. (AWD); 4.0L V6 – 16 city/21 hwy. (RWD), 16 city/20 hwy. (AWD)

Cargo capacity: 75.6 cubic feet

Payload capacity: 1,150 lbs.

Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs.

Safety features

Dual front airbags, supplemental side-curtain airbags, remote keyless entry, SentryKey engine immobilizer, tire pressure monitoring system, fog lamps, automatic speed-sensitive power door locks, electronic stability program, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, and traction control. SXT adds HomeLink universal transceiver.

Optional safety features include: Uconnect hands-free phone system, remote engine start, ParkSense rear-park assist system, security alarm, and navigation system.

Warranty

Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile Bumper-to-bumper

Powertrain: unlimited/unlimited

Corrosion: 5-year/100,000 mile

Pricing

The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2010 Dodge Nitro SUV starts from $21,590 for the Nitro SE 4x2 upto $24,895 for the SXT 4x4. Destination charges add $745.