Test Drive Dodge Nitro since 2006 SUV

Million - in dirt

If you decide to spend honestly earned or made on a loan Million to buy a sports-utilitarian car, you have to consider many options. You can, for example, to purchase an elegant Mitsubishi Outlander XL. Get very aggressive on the view of the Dodge Nitro. Or become the owner of a full-sized SsangYong Rexton.
Choosing, of course, hard. Each of the applicants have plenty of advantages. Let's say Outlander not only attractive outwardly (although the design of the taste), but also very comfortable and functional. Yes, and Nitro takes not only a brutal exterior. In the assets of the American, impressive dimensions, spacious salon, original retractable pallet in the trunk and, finally, the possibility of choosing between gasoline and diesel versions. To think about it.
However, all these flowers. Here is the buyer of the flagship SsangYong, in fact, choose between fundamentally different machines: after all, it is necessary to give preference not only to one or another engine and transmission from the received solution depend on the type of full drive and even the suspension design! For example, at the simplest REXTON 2.7 XDI (165 hp) with the mechanic front axle is connected rigidly (the so-called part-time). The same diesel, but with a machine gun, is equipped with a system of automatically connected full drive (TOD). A promotional diesel engine of the same volume, but an already developing 186 hp, and a gasoline 3.2-liter 220-strong engine (both versions are available only with ACP-5) are offered with a constant full-wheel drive (AWD). The same vinaigrette and in the chassis. Cheap modifications are sold with a continuous back bridge, and expensive with an independent 8-lever suspension. It is necessary to say that on the road (and outside it) these seemingly the same rexton will behave absolutely differently. However, the rexton phenomenon is unique. On his background, rivals look narrow specialists. Say, Nitro ideology is typically off-road: carrier frame, continuous rear axle, rigidly connected front wheels. (In essence, this model is a variation on the latest generation Jeep Cherokee, only with a multiple reduced transmission.) Basic motor 205-strong V-shaped gear with a volume of 3.7 liters, but a 2.8-liter 177-strong turbodiesel is also available. Both engines are combined with automata (4- and 5-speed, respectively).
Mitsubishi fans until recently were pleased to be content with the only power unit with a 3-liter 220-strong gasoline V6 in tandem with a 6-speed ACP, choosing only the level of configuration.
Last fall an alternative to the World Motor (2.4 L, 170 hp plus a variator or MCP-5), created in the Commonwealth with Hyundai Motor and then still undiluted daimlerchrysler. Cars are equipped with Multi-Select 4WD multi-mode transmission, which allows you to automatically change the drive mode of the car, and a complex of active safety systems and an increase in M-ASTC, which includes a system stabilization system and an anti-duct system. Pendant all wheels, of course, independent. No continuous bridges and speech. In general, Outlander XL are a typical crossover, initially sharpened under the asphalt and allowing some kind of liberty off-road.
But we turn to the parties. There are no serious ergonomic claims to our heroes. It is possible to poop them only for the absence of steering wheel adjustment, however, thanks to the wide ranges of the driver's seat settings, a person of almost any growth and a set will be able to settle behind the landscale. Rear is also not close.
And the ability to fold the back of the seat allows you to make comfortable even long-distance travel. In Mitsubishi, the second row armchairs are equipped with a longitudinal adjustment, so that the most rosary driver will always be enough space for passenger legs. Although the tank of the luggage compartment is naturally decreased (depending on the position of the rear seats, the useful volume may vary by more than 100 liters). However, the Outlander XL owner is unlikely to come to mind to complain about the lack of space in the trunk of almost 1700 liters with the back seats. The simplicity of the interior transformation is deserved (literally in one touch) and the fifth door divided into two parts horizontally, a significant simplifying loading process.
Nitro door rises only entirely. However, by the volume of the luggage compartment, the Dodge even slightly surpasses the Japanese. The back seat folds (in non-standard proportion 65:35) to the floor level of the trunk, forming an impressive size and litter (almost 2000 l) a truck or, if you like, sleeping place.
Sleeping in the trunk of Korean, maybe not so comfortable (even sex during transformation does not work). But if you fold the chairs of the second row, pressing them to the backs of the front seats, the Rexton Salon seems to be crazy and an elephant. Note that loading large-sized swinging on the perfectly even low platform is very convenient. Well, with small things and that simpler: it is not necessary to open the large fifth door enough to raise the rear window.
In general, all three SUV are quite comfortable and spacious. And on the go, they are unlikely to disappoint. Although here, of course, there are nuances caused by the design features and the ratio of engine power and car mass. Most horses per kilogram at Outlander 3.0. He will win a parallel start.
Especially if the wheels are not dry asphalt, but, say, a snow porridge. Mitsubishi electronics works in such conditions very quickly. It copes well with slippery coating and Rexton, armed with TOD and AWD systems. But in the basic version of Korean, like Nitro, feels on the ice like that cow. Slightly went over with the gas and the rear leading wheels strive to deploy the car across the road. Even ESP does not save. Connecting the front bridge will help when starting, but it is unlikely to improve controllability: in the critical situation, the car will slide with all the wheels. Well, the hard four-wheel drive is good only for the sign of the car from the mud or snow captivity. For speed ride on asphalt, he is a priori
These are in general terms our today's characters. It remains only to understand that in addition to pretty roomy bodies and powerful motors you can count on, giving the seller a blood million. It is worse equipped with comfortable Nitro options. This ascetic is neither climate control (only air conditioning), no rain sensors and light. No even heating seats. At the same time, a lot of money is asked for the American: the basic version will cost 1,058,400 rubles.
Buying Japanese and Korean SUV Case less overhead. To become the owner of Outlander XL 2.4 CVT in the maximum configuration of Intense, which includes everything you choose, right up to the skin, hatch and Rockford audio systems, it is possible for 1,018,132 rubles. (In the simplest performance, the machine with mechanics costs 892,172 rubles). Yes, and quite decently equipped with Rexton 2.7 XDI MT also stacked in the desired million, facilitating the pocket of only 970,000 rubles.
Crash test Rexton
Despite the rather respectable market age of this SUV, information about independent crash tests of the model has not been received. In any case, the authoritative experts EURONCAP and NHTSA Korean Dragon did not experience strength. Nothing is also known about the tests of cars collected in Naberezhnye Chelny. In general, when buying SsangYong Rexton, it remains to hope for the good faith of manufacturers that declare the full compliance with the car with modern standards. And hope for ABS and airbags.
Nitro Crash Test
In a series of tests conducted by NHTSA, the car was awarded the highest ratings. In particular, in the imitation of frontal and lateral clashes, Nitro earned five stars. Moreover, the driver and all passengers turned out to be equally well protected. At the same time, the SUV showed a dangerous tendency to overturn, receiving only three stars out of five in this test. In the arsenal of means of active and passive safety Nitro ABS, a stabilization system, four pillows (front and curtains) and belts with pretensioners and effort limiters.
Crash Test Outlander XL
As a result of the tests conducted by EUROnCAP Association in February 2007, Mitsubishi Outlander XL received 32 points, which corresponds to 4 stars. If the experts performed on an excellent side impact of the experts did not cause, then for the front crossover earned only 12 points out of 16, which in many respects it was not quite friendly for the driver and front passenger the structure of the cockpit. The protection of children was estimated at 35 points, which is 71% of the maximum result.
Andrei Tsybulsky
Author photo: Yang Segal
 

A source: Mkmobile Magazine [February / 2008]