The Dodge Nitro is a very boxy looking vehicle – does that make it more useful as a dog car than the more common curvy vehicles out there?
[not my picture – found via Google image search]
Width between wheel wells (narrowest part of the vehicle): 43.25″
Cargo depth with all rows up: 34″ on the floor, 26.5″ deep at the narrowest point (seat back 16″ above floor level)
Cargo depth with the second row down: 58.5″
Interior height (max): 35″ at the rear of the second row
Interior Height (min): 30″ at the hatch for 6.5″
Hatch dimensions: 30″ tall, 34.5″ to 42.5″ wide.
MPG city: 15 mpg (this was a 4WD model)
MPG highway: 21 mpg (this was a 4WD model)
This Nitro also included a sliding cargo tray, possibly instead of a 3rd row (?), an extra light in the rear of the cargo area, and tons of tie down points. The seats almost fold flat (similar to the Edge), but unlike the Edge, the back of the seats is plastic coated so you have less risk of snagging or otherwise marring the upholstery.
The Nitro is fairly plastic heavy on the interior and certainly gives off more of a “truck” feel inside, but the dash is pretty flashy, so it’s not all boring!
The width between the wheel wells does preclude standard sized 36″ and larger wire crates from sitting side-by-side in the back, but is large enough to accommodate the corresponding “SUV-style” crates that are only 21″ wide. The squared off interior also lends itself well to the boxy nature of crates. The lack of a significant slant on the seat backs in the second row does mean that fitting 24″ long crates side-by-side in the cargo area without folding the seats down is also an option for those with smaller dogs, though it may leave them more vulnerable in a rear-end accident due to the location of the crumple zone.
The Nitro appears to be well designed to accommodate crates for canines, but the gas mileage does give me pause – serious competitors may want to look for a more fuel efficient vehicle for those long drives to trials.
Four Paw Drive 