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2008 Dodge Nitro Safety Review

July 23, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, frontal impact protection; five stars, side impact protection
NHTSA

Electronic stability control system that includes rollover mitigation
Kelley Blue Book

Full-length side curtain airbags are standard
Edmunds

For the safety-conscious among us, the 2008 Dodge Nitro is sure to please. Not only does the Dodge Nitro score very well in crash tests, it also comes loaded with a long list of desirable safety features.

The 2008 Dodge Nitro's sheetmetal looks tough, and crash-test ratings show that toughness is more than skin deep on this 2008 Dodge. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government agency responsible for crash testing, has subjected the 2008 Dodge Nitro to its full range of tests, and the results are impressive. Edmunds reviewers note that the Dodge Nitro was awarded "a perfect five stars for all frontal- and side-impact categories" in the NHTSA tests, a testament to the care that Dodge engineers took to ensure passenger safety. The other major crash tester in the United States, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), has not yet tested this 2008 Dodge.

Aside from commendable crash-test ratings, the 2008 Dodge Nitro adds a wealth of safety features to its repertoire. Reviewers at Cars.com state, "Side curtain airbags and an electronic stability system are standard," but that only scratches the surface of the Dodge Nitro's safety features. Edmunds elaborates, saying that "antilock disc brakes" and "traction control" also come standard on the Dodge Nitro, and they further note that "the stability control system includes a trailer sway control feature." The trailer sway control is an indispensable feature for those who regularly tow loads on the highway.

One area where TheCarConnection.com finds mixed reviews of the 2008 Dodge Nitro is in terms of driver visibility. On the 2008 Dodge Nitro, ConsumerGuide claims that the "high-set seats provide a commanding view of the road" ahead, but "rear visibility is hindered somewhat by thick roof pillars." Although AutoWeek laments the fact that the "overall seating position is poor," Edmunds lists "good sight lines" as one of the 2008 Dodge Nitro's most appealing features.

Conclusion

Strong crash-test ratings and all the usual standard safety features make the 2008 Dodge Nitro a responsible pick for the safety-conscious.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, frontal impact protection; five stars, side impact protectionNHTSAElectronic stability control system that includes rollover mitigationKelley Blue BookFull-length side curtain airbags are standardEdmunds For the safety-conscious among us, the 2008 Dodge Nitro is sure to please. Not only does the Dodge Nitro score very well in crash tests, it also comes loaded with a long list of desirable safety features. The 2008 Dodge Nitro's sheetmetal looks tough, and crash-test ratings show that toughness is more than skin deep on this 2008 Dodge. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government agency responsible for crash testing, has subjected the 2008 Dodge Nitro to its full range of tests, and the results are impressive. Edmunds reviewers note that the Dodge Nitro was awarded "a perfect five stars for all frontal- and side-impact categories" in the NHTSA tests, a testament to the care that Dodge engineers took to ensure passenger safety. The other major crash tester in the United States, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), has not yet tested this 2008 Dodge. Aside from commendable crash-test ratings, the 2008 Dodge Nitro adds a wealth of safety features to its repertoire. Reviewers at Cars.com state, "Side curtain airbags and an electronic stability system are standard," but that only scratches the surface of the Dodge Nitro's safety features. Edmunds elaborates, saying that "antilock disc brakes" and "traction control" also come standard on the Dodge Nitro, and they further note that "the stability control system includes a trailer sway control feature." The trailer sway control is an indispensable feature for those who regularly tow loads on the highway. One area where TheCarConnection.com finds mixed reviews of the 2008 Dodge Nitro is in terms of driver visibility. On the 2008 Dodge Nitro, ConsumerGuide claims that the "high-set seats provide a commanding view of the road" ahead, but "rear visibility is hindered somewhat by thick roof pillars." Although AutoWeek laments the fact that the "overall seating position is poor," Edmunds lists "good sight lines" as one of the 2008 Dodge Nitro's most appealing features. ConclusionStrong crash-test ratings and all the usual standard safety features make the 2008 Dodge Nitro a responsible pick for the safety-conscious.  2008 DODGE NITRO STYLING | [8 out of 10] ConsumerGuide: "All controls are simple, clearly marked, and logically placed" Edmunds: "Such a square jawline and such exaggerated wheel flares you can't take your eyes off it" Kelley Blue Book: "Familiar Dodge crosshair grille, a ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

There is no other mid-size SUV that delivers the styling impact of the 2008 Dodge Nitro. However, there are better-driving mid-size SUVs out there. While the base Pontiac Torrent isn't one of our favorite vehicles, with the GXP package and the 3.6-liter V-6, the Pontiac is far nicer on road than the Dodge.

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See the Dodge Nitro in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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