Handy Auto Guide

The 2007 Dodge Nitro has been reviewed over at The USA Today. ‘Dodge Nitro is likable. Makes sense because it's a slightly stretched version of the likable Jeep Liberty SUV, with a Dodge-styled body. That styling is one of the most likable elements of the Nitro, which is a truck-style, small SUV about the size of a Nissan Xterra. Nitro's grille seems to be trying too hard, like a little kid struggling to make a seriously mean face. Otherwise, terrific. Three Nitros were tested: Two early-built R/T models priced roughly $30,000, one a rear-wheel drive (RWD), the other a four-wheel drive (4WD) and a $23,000 SXT 4WD.’

The Car Connection have published a review of the 2008 Dodge Avenger SE sedan. ‘Avenger isn't the sort of name you'd expect for a bread-and-butter sedan. It refers to some punishment being inflicted, and you're probably more prone to work it into your daily vernacular if you stay cooped up watching reruns of Xena or playing Worlds of Warcraft. In the automotive realm - as opposed to the fantasy realm - Avenger just seems like the perfect name for a rough-around-the-edges, top-performance sports car. And by appearance alone, you'd expect it to be just as testosterone-charged as its larger sibling, the Charger sedan and its pickup stall mate, the Ram, with distinctly American high-shouldered sheetmetal that looks just as good as the Charger, even if it is only seven-eighths scale.’

The Car Connection have published a review of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan. ‘For 2008, Chrysler designers have done a good job updating the Grand Caravan. The goal was to create a more powerful, dynamic look and while it went unsaid during the media preview, Dodge hoped to make the new models look a bit more rugged. The Caravan gets a bigger, bolder chrome grille with a larger Ram icon in the center. The front end intentionally resembles the Dodge Charger, down to the "sneering" eyebrows over the headlights and the low-mounted fog lamps. From the side, there's a more SUV-like, two-box feel, rather than the conventional one-box minivan shape.’

Inside Line have published a review of the 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 4dr Hatchback. ‘After a week behind the wheel of the Dodge Caliber SRT-4, we've realized it's simply a steroid-enhanced version of Dodge's utilitarian Caliber. And that's like building a rocket-powered Pinto. Interesting exercise? Yup. Quick? No doubt. But do you want to drive it to work? It's not that the Caliber SRT-4 doesn't have its good points, but the current crop of sport compacts is a tough crowd. To compete, cars need to be fast, comfortable and efficient — big enough to haul a few friends, but small enough to scoot up a mountain road in good time. Occasionally they need to be an autocrosser and a cargo-hauler in the same day. And despite their speed, utility and features, they absolutely can't be pricey.’

CNET have published a review of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT minivan. 'The drive itself was very nice, as the Grand Caravan didn't want for power, with its 4-liter V-6. It even handled reasonably well as we took it from the 280 freeway onto twisty Highway 84, then down to the coastal highway, 1. It's no sports car, but we were passing up choppers and Camrys. For entertainment, we relied on the MyGig music server. With about 180 songs filling up a small portion of its drive space, we set it on random and had uninterrupted music for our four-hour drive. Audio controls mounted on the backs of the steering wheel spokes let us skip the songs we didn't like.'

BusinessWeek.com have published a review of 2008 Dodge Dakota pickup truck. 'A big plus for the '08 Dakota is its new 4.7 liter, 302-horsepower V8, the only V8 available in this class of pickup. The engine has 31% more horsepower and 13% more torque than the Dakota's previous V8—while also being more fuel-efficient. A V8-powered 2008 Dakota Laramie four-by-four with a big crew cab is rated to get 14 miles per gallon in the city and 19 on the highway. In 274 miles of mixed driving, I got a respectable 16.5 mpg. That isn't stellar fuel economy, obviously. But the V8 Dakota nearly matches an entry-level Dakota with a less powerful 3.7 liter, 210 horsepower V6, which is rated to get 15 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway.'

The Car Connection have published a review of the 2009 Dodge Journey crossover SUV. 'It may not be as distinctive as the Nissan Murano, for example, but there's plenty to enjoy in the Journey's silhouette and details. The Journey's big crosshair grille is swept into big quad headlamps and carries a nice line over the top of pronounced wheel arches. Large taillights flank a lightweight, composite tailgate that's tastefully sloped earthward.

The Automobile Car Blog have published a review of the powerful 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 2-door coupe. 'The 2008 SRT8 is the only Challenger to be designated as an ’08, and each of the 6400 U.S. cars—they are already sold out—gets a numbered plaque, orange seat stripes, and faux-carbon-fiber hood stripes. Also, the Challenger SRT8 debuts SRT’s brake “knock back” system that ensures the pads stay close to the discs during spirited driving as well as a “Performance Features” readout on the dashboard that displays acceleration, braking, and handling achievements for the driver’s amusement. The Challenger SRT8 starts at just over $40,000.