Jeep/Dodge 2.8L CRTD

[JFR]

Hi guys i'm currently looking at a diesel Dodge Nitro Dodge Australia - Nitro - Home (http://www.dodge.com.au/nitro/index.html)
It runs the 2.8L 130kw 460nm CRTD, the same as the Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee (but in a slighlty different state of tune). I'm just after a bit of feedback from any memebers that have had anything experiences with this engine. Or with the nitro in general. Thanks.

[general lee]

A bloke i work with was looking at one of these, good looking truck with what sounds like a solid engine. Sorry can't comment on it too much as i haven't driven one, however, being the first run of nitro's into the country wouldn't it be better to wait a bit and let them sort out any teething issues?

[jimmu]

I like the bold front end. Looks a bit like a Pathfinder from the back. Pity about that front bar.

I too have been looking for some feedback on those engines.

Jimmy

[Dan96XJ]

My wife has the 2.8L CRD in the KJ cherokee, its a torqueee engine with enough get up and go (but no drag car of course!)...the economy is awesome, 10.5L/100km in surburban/city traffic down to 6-7L/100km on the highway. We got to Port Fairy and back from eastern suburbs of Melbourne on 1 tank of fuel and still had 50km left. Not sure how they go in the Dodge and what subtle differences there may be, but cant be any worse I would imagine. Take one for a test drive and see what you think.

[JFR]

I think i'll go and test drive one next weekend, i just love the look of it. As far as sorting the bugs out i'm not to worried about that as it might be a new model but it's basically built on an already proven drive train. Guess i'll know more after a drive it:D

[JFR]

i found a dealership that has one i can drive so i'm off to have a look, will keep you posted.

[saltyqld]

there are three lined up at the local dealer down the road and i think they look good :)

have seen one driving in Mooloolaba with big rims. looked gangsta :)

[JFR]

Ok so i went down and drove one.
EXTERIOR
First impression was it looks a little taller and narrower than from the pics i looked at, probably emphasised by the relativley high window line, front and rear were as i expected. It's a love it or hate it sort of style and personally it works for me. The 20" rims look great and really don't look that big on the nitro, i would hate to see a stocker with the 16" wheels.
INTERIOR
The interior looks good but is poorly put together, the materials feel cheap and things like the indicator stalks feel like they would break very easily. It's fairly poorly designed inside as well no where near as practice or user friendly as a territory. The driving position is also very compromised, you sit way to high and upright which wouldn't be such a problem except the the steering wheel is only adjustable for height not reach, meaning that when your sitting where you can comfortably reach the pedals the steering wheel is just a little bit to far away. Keep in mind i'm 6'3" so i would imagine this would be even worse for shorter people.

DRIVE TRAIN
This is where the Nitro really shines, the 2.8L CRD is an absolute corker, in a higher state of tune than in it's wrangler or cherokee applications it makes 130kw and 460nm, coupled to the 5 speed auto it makes an excellent unit. The engine is smooth, quiet and pulls very strongly right off idle till about 3500 RPM. It will happily go to the 4500 RPM red line but forward progression becomes less rapid than bellow 3500 where the meat of it's torque is. The auto is fantastic as well shifting with smooth precision every time weather it be a full throttle upshift on the red line, a forced down shift using the manual mode or just regular driving in traffic it remained smooth and composed the whole time, never once did i think i wish it had have dropped a gear there or held one a bit longer it really is fantastic. To get a auto to work this intuitively with a diesel engine is a fantastic effort IMO.

RIDE/HANDLING
Given the fact that it has 20's i was expecting the ride to be some what compromised by this (although it has a 50 profile tyre which no doubt helps) but if anything it's actually the other way being a little on soft side. It will pitch and roll a bit when thrown around but nothing to excessive considering what it is, it also looses a bit of composure after hitting big bumps. What it needs is a little more body damping but as it sits now some degree of handling is traded off for comfort. Steering feel is not great either but once again for a vehicle of this type it's acceptable. The ESP also does it job well.

OVERALL
It has a fantastic engine and transmission, love or hate looks, acceptable ride and handling dynamics but is badly let down by it poorly though out and constructed interior and compromised driving position. I can probably deal with the crappy interior but the driving position i'm not so sure about.

My head says Territory but my heart says Nitro.

[Peter @ Aawen4x4]

Any idea on fuel economy and std fuel tank sizes?? What sort of OUtback touring range should we be expecting?

[Dan96XJ]

sounds like the interior is typically US style - no frills and nothing to boast about. I suppose its something you can either love or hate too. I have the typical 70s styled dash interior in my 96 XJ cherokee, but it has proven to be very durable ie. no cracks etc and easy to clean (although that doesn't happen often lol).

Peter, i dont know the tank size for the nitro, but assuming the economy is similair to the KJ cherokee, a conservative range I estimate for a 65L tank to be 650 to 800km/tank. I know we've at least got 700km out of ours and the empty light hadnt come on yet and computer said 50km left which is an underestimate cos Ive driven the thing on 0km/left for about 15-20km more.

[JFR]

Any idea on fuel economy and std fuel tank sizes?? What sort of OUtback touring range should we be expecting?70L tank, the official sticker is 9.4L/100k but you could expect better than that on the open road. You should get 800+ out of a tank when touring easy enough.

[grimage]

Also, bear in mind that the Nitro does not come with a dual range transfer case.

Just something to keep in mind here.

[JFR]

Also, bear in mind that the Nitro does not come with a dual range transfer case.

Just something to keep in mind here.True, as you would have probably worked out from my review that my needs are fairly biased towards on road preformance. It's a soft roader and it makes no attempt to hide this, just look at the rims. To give you a bit of an idea i have been cross shopping it againt the Ford Territory, Subaru Outback, Holden Casptiva and Nissan X-Trail.

[tasar]

first impressions of chrylser/jeep products are summed up beautifully above

they just don't compare with the japanese equivalent for 1st impressions

i've owned fords and holdens and they fall apart

the new CRD's in all the Jeep/chrysler products are so far ahead of there competition

I've just ordered a compass ahead of all its competitors purely based on the 2l crd

not sure what the captiva diesel is like but I would of thought its the only real competitor to the dodge in softroaders

[JFR]

sounds like the interior is typically US style - no frills and nothing to boast about. I suppose its something you can either love or hate too. I have the typical 70s styled dash interior in my 96 XJ cherokee, but it has proven to be very durable ie. no cracks etc and easy to clean (although that doesn't happen often lol).No it's not thats it's no frills or a dated design, it's actually very well equipped (climate control aside) and quiet stylish (although not very practical). It's more the fact it looks like it was put together by a group of 8 years old who were given a heap of plastic off cuts a tube of araldite, a pair of scissors then left to their own devices.

[lowgear]

In regards to the Diesel engine, HDJ105 informed me that they come from VM Motori in Italy. don't know how good they are, but they also supply engines to Hyundai, the london taxis etc etc

[Tomas79]

Hi, My understanding from reading the Jeeps forums is that the 2.8CRD in the Nitro and the JK wrangler are different Engine from the 2.8L in the Cherokee.
Sure The Capacity is the same, and so is the manufacturer, but thats about it...

I love the looks of the nitro.... Can't Wait for the 2008 jeep KK Cherokee/Liberty to come out. It's based on similar platform, similar looks, except its a proper 4wd, with dual range transfere case!

[tasar]

its a 72 litre tank so at 10l per 100 about 650-700k per tank

jeep have had over 8 years to get the KK cherokee designed and had the KJ redesigned 3 or 4 times so should be a hot little 4x4