Good things come in threes, right? Maybe, but that depends on what you're talking about. If it's the Pointer Sisters, sure thing. As for three strikes - well, then you're out.
How about three different vehicles, all designed for varying levels of offroad adventures? Again, that depends on the specifics. To answer that question,we checked out a triad of trucks - a Jeep Compass, a Dodge Nitro, and a Hemi Ram - all manufactured by DaimlerChrysler. However, as you'll see, that's where any similarity ends. Each of these vehicles has distinct personalities and capabilities, just like Groucho, Harpo and Chico. But since we're serious about our excursions, this is no laughing matter. Read on and you'll find out why.
JEEP COMPASS
Let's start with the baby of the bunch, a misnamed SUV. That's because there's no compass to be found in the Compass.
Granted, Jeep hopes to attract some non-traditional customers with this kissin' cousin to the Wrangler. The genetic link is weak at best, because this compact crossover is designed primarily for urban adventures. It's based on the Dodge Caliber, and thus trades off-road capability for car-like handling and fuel economy.
On that count, it achieves its goal reasonably well, but there's some pretty intense competition in this segment. In its favor, the Jeep's standard power option, a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine, good for 172 horses, equals or betters that of similar cute-utes in this size and price range. Easily the best thing about this car is its suspension, which is smoothly paired with 18-inch wheels and is nicely sorted-out overall. The steering is responsive but not sporting, and the four-wheel disc brakes are competent at best.
Even though Jeep is quick to admit the Compass isn't really for hardcore off-road use, it nevertheless has all-wheel drive. We checked that out on both hard-packed gravel roads and soft silt, and it moved right out with no difficulty. We imagine it would work pretty well in rain and snow as well. But don't ask it to ford a streambed or climb over a fallen log. There just isn't enough clearance or grip to tackle the rough stuff, and there's no low-range gearing either.
The strange styling of the Compass reflects this so-so offroad capability. It's a mix of the signature seven-slot Jeep grille and some awkward contours. Nobody complimented our ride for its dashing looks, and some were downright insulting about its lines.
As for options, in addition to airbags, heated seats, and leather upholstery, a navigation system is available (which presumably includes some sort of compass, but this system wasn't on our test vehicle). The verdict? As long as you know where you're headed, the Compass will get you there comfortably enough. Just don't wander too far off the well-beaten path.
DODGE RAM 1500
Inevitably, any vehicle outfitted with a Hemi will garner more interest, so we jumped into this 1/2-ton pickup with high expectations. Especially since one of our daily drivers includes a 2002 Ram 1500 with a 4.7-liter V-8, and we've heard the Hemi Ram is the most popular in the lineup. We were ready to utter Capt. Picard's command of "Engage" and then prepared to be pinned back in the seat.
We weren't disappointed, but keep in mind the difference between the 4.7 and 5.7 liters is, well, about a quart, (or 235 hp versus 345 hp) - significant, but not substantial. We should qualify that assessment, however, by pointing out that the Hemi tester had 4WD, while our 4.7-liter driver is a slightly lighter 2WD version. Meanwhile, at the base end of the lineup, really marked disparity is more evident. The standard 3.7-liter V-6, whose horsepower rating of 210 might not seem that much different from the 4.7-liter V8's 235, delivers considerably less torque at 235 versus 295 lb./ft. This disparity is really felt through the seatof- the-pants "grunt factor." Back at the other end of the spectrum, the Hemi supplies 375 lb./ft. of grunt feelin' twist.
All Rams are available with rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement, but includes low-range gearing. This feature of course makes the Ram a much more capable rig (and a true 4x4) than the other two in this trifecta. Note that 4WD Rams have independent front suspension as well.
The Ram comes in three cabin configurations: two-door, four-door Quad Cab, and the Mega Cab. The advent of the new Mega Cab option, which is a full 20 inches longer in the cabin area, gives the Ram a whole new dimension, in every sense of the term. But that huge interior sacrifices some cargo space, since only a short bed is available. To make it a Mega, Dodge combines the extended 160.5-inch wheelbase frame with a 6.3-foot short bed, and gives those 20 inches saved in the cargo area to the cabin.
We're a bit greedy when it comes to big pickups, and we'd love to have our cake and eat it, too. In other words, we'd love to see Dodge offer a regular eight-foot bed with the Mega Cab. We don't mind having a truck that feels as long as a cruise liner, especially since it's nearly as posh. This added length would make it less trailworthy, but add to its versatility for towing and hauling.
So what did we learn from this trio of trucks? Damiler/Chrysler is covering the market thoroughly with this range of offerings, but it comes at the expense of off-road capability. When all is said and done, size matters, and so does low gearing and high torque.
DODGE NITRO
To create this new five-passenger mid-size SUV, Dodge extended a Jeep Liberty about four inches, and gave it a more hard-edged look. The Nitro is still smaller than Dodge's Durango, so it's sort of a 'tweener. As a result, it feels right-sized, big enough to carry common cargo, but small enough to keep our interest on a winding road. We also give the styling high marks, with a more manly persona than the Liberty on which it's based.
The high beltline and big wheels give it a quasi-Hummer flavor, but without obvious imitation. Check out the wide stance and those aggressive flares, along with the fake vent on the Nitro's front-quarter panels (which looks like it was lifted from a Land Rover). Altogether, it's hard to pigeonhole the Nitro's styling or vehicle segment, a point in its favor.
A variety of versions are available: SXT, SLT, and R/T models. A 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 is standard on SLT and SXT. R/Ts have a 255-hp 4.0-liter V6. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on SXT. A 4-speed automatic is standard on SLT and optional for SXT. R/Ts have a 5-speed automatic.
All Nitros are available with only rear-wheel drive, but of course the 4x4 is our preference. Manual-transmission versions offer 4-wheel drive. Models with automatic transmissions are available with all-wheel drive. Neither system includes low-range gearing, though, which limits its off-road adventures. That said, the liveaxle rearend and longitudinal engine layout are more in line with a traditional SUV than the car-like crossovers. This chassis setup didn't impress us on a slalom course, but it does give us more confidence to head down some rocky trails.
To aid in those sorts of activities, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, an antiskid system, and curtain side airbags are standard on all models. To simplify carrying cargo, SLT and R/T have Dodge's Load 'n Go cargo floor that slides rearward 18 inches to form a table surface that holds up to 400 pounds.
The emergency brake handle feels undersized and too slender, and the rest of the interior materials, especially the hard plastic on the dash and in the cargo area, also seem to be lacking from a quality standpoint. There are, however, plenty of small bins and storage areas that will accommodate all sorts of gadgets and gear. Options include a navigation system, DVD entertainment, and a wireless cell phone link. But the big appeal of the Nitro is its cheeky exterior, which will likely attract both on- and off-roaders alike.
