DODGE
SUVS |
Minivans and sport-utility vehicles flashing the ram-horned badge of Dodge include the best-selling Caravan series of minivans and a large mid-size SUV called Durango. But Dodge's choices for wagons in 2007 expand with two entirely new products -- Caliber and Nitro. Caliber is a crossover SUV for the compact class and Nitro is a mid-size SUV with off-road capabilities.
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Dodge
Caliber |
Dodge's curvy five-door compact SUV fits in the compact class and rides on a car's chassis with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction plus fun-to-drive ride and handling traits. The spacious cabin adds seats for five, ample cargo space in the rear and a load of safety features including standard curtain-style side air bags. Three trims build with equipment and engine strength as Caliber SE, SXT and R/T. The three four-cylinder engines for Caliber climb up from 1.8-liter to 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter with zippy strength for each -- generating 148 hp, 158 hp and 172 hp. [Read RTM's Full Review] |
Dodge Nitro |
A new mid-size SUV joins Dodge's 2007 line as a derivation of Jeep's Liberty wagon. Nitro looks bold, seats five with a flexible seat design and splits into three trims -- entry Nitro SXT, upscale Nitro SLT and sporty Nitro R/T. Stock powertrain is the 3.7-liter V6 off Liberty with 210 hp and a six-speed manual shifter or optional automatic four-speed. Nitro R/T totes a torque-heavy 4.0-liter V6 worth 255 hp through a five-speed automatic. An electronic stability program (ESP) and curtain-style air bags go into every Nitro, and the 4WD traction choices include part-time or full-time systems. |
Dodge Durango |
Dodge's SUV measures almost as large a full-size wagon so there's cabin space for seven on three banks of seats. The 2007 Durango looks bold with fresh sheetmetal styling outside and the cabin with new quad bucket seats available on uplevel SLT or deluxe Limited models. And Durango's new Adventurer series adds rubber slush mats plus a Thule roof rack. Powertrains include a 3.7-liter V6, 4.7-liter V8 and 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with multi-displacement system (MDS) to conserve fuel. The 4.7-liter plant burns E85 ethanol or gasoline and works on a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Durango or the optional 4WD version. |
Dodge Caravan
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Minivans from Dodge with FWD format continue in 2007 with Caravan using a regular-length wheelbase and Grand Caravan riding on a stretched wheelbase. Caravan SE stocks a 2.4-liter four-pack engine rated at 150 hp, but there are two V6 plants available for the minivans at 3.3 liters or 3.8 liters. Optional gear extends from power sliding side doors and a power-operated rear liftgate to curtain-style side air bags for all three rows of seats, a rear DVD-based video entertainment system, and the innovative Stow 'n Go seat system for second and third rows that folds into the floor.
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