2007 Dodge Nitro

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There are two generous-sized cupholders near the parking brake, and the storage bin between the seats is one of the biggest we've ever seen. Helpfully it has a shallow tray that fits in the top to stop smaller items from getting lost inside. The glovebox is near-vertical rather than horizontal but it's still a good size.

The rear is decent enough, with plenty of head and shoulder room for passengers, though sitting behind a six-footer will cause knee-space issues. Access to the trunk is via a one-piece lifting hatchback, and inside there's a new feature called Load 'N Go. It's a sliding floor than comes right out of the bumper so you don't have to lean in with heavy loads, and is designed to take up to 400 pounds. The full-sized spare is attached externally beneath.

There are things about the interior which aren't so clever. The front door bins are too narrow, shallow, and short, the latter being because of the very large round audio speakers build into the trim. There's no central rear armrest, and just one map pocket on the back of the front seats. The steering wheel only adjusts for rake not reach, and there's no footrest for the driver's left foot. It also felt like the whole driving position was too high, and the electric driver's seat adjustment could have done with going an inch or two lower.

The entry level machine gets 16-inch steel rims, while the SLT gets 17-inch alloys and Yes Essentials premium seat fabric. The Load 'N Go floor is standard on that model, as well as the R/T, while 20-inch chrome wheels are available on the SLT and the R/T. Audio equipment includes MP3 playback, and the Nitro is Dodge's first vehicle to offer MyGIG, a touch-screen infotainment system with a 20-gigabyte hard drive to store music and photos.

The Nitro is a striking piece of design. But cars today have to have substance as well as style, and while it may have a leg up in fashion, in driveability it's got its work cut out to topple the likes of the Escape and Santa Fe.

2007 Dodge Nitro

Base price: $17,500 (est. SXT)

Engine: 3.7-liter V-6, 210-hp/235 lb-ft; 4.0-liter V-6, 260 hp/265 lb-ft (R/T)

Drivetrain: Six-speed manual (SXT); four-speed automatic (SXT, SLT); five-speed automatic (R/T); rear- or four-wheel drive

Length x width x height: 178.9 x 73.1 x 69.9 in

Wheelbase: 108.8 in

Curb weight: 3931-4162 lb

Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 18/24 mpg (manual/210 hp); 17/21 mpg (automatic/210 hp)

Safety equipment: Anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control; dual front and curtain airbags

Major standard equipment: Air conditioning; roof rails; power locks/windows/mirrors; fold-flat front passenger seat; 60/40 split rear bench seat; AM/FM radio with CD/MP3; tire pressure monitors

Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles

Provided by TheCarConnection.com—The Web's Automotive Authority