Dodge Nitro could become near and dear to your heart

— -- 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.

Reasonable people often disagree on matters of taste, so no demerits if the look doesn't appeal to you.

PHOTOS/AUDIOS:Nitro with Healey's comments

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.

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The R/Ts felt as if they were assembled wrong, the bodies seeming to keep going when the chassis stopped or turned, almost as if the bodies weren't attached tightly (though it's unimaginable that was the case).

The R/T comes with a more-powerful V-6. It was loud and quick.

The R/T also comes with 20-inch-diameter wheels and special suspension tuning intended to accommodate the tires' stubby, hard-riding sidewalls. The R/T testers had a choppy, bouncy ride that quickly grew irritating. The payback was a flatter attitude during brisk cornering, but it was insufficient compensation.

The SXT, however, was dandy. And a seeming bargain, giving you space, hip styling, adequate pep from the 3.7-liter V-6 and snow-drift-busting, slick-slope-defeating 4WD for a price you could swallow.

The SXT, which Dodge says is the version most people buy, was far more pleasant to drive than the R/Ts were, though it gave up 50 horsepower, was equipped with a four-speed automatic instead of the R/T's five-speed, and lacked such amenities as heated seats and satellite radio.

MORE TEST DRIVE:Archive of Healey's columns

The SXT felt stable and comfortable in real-world cornering, such as barreling too fast around a decreasing-radius exit ramp or discovering too late that the gentle-looking turn really is a 90-degree bend.

Snow and ice were little problem. In RWD, the traction control allowed enough wheel spin to keep you going instead of bringing you to a halt, as many rivals mistakenly do. If needed, 4WD was just a knob-twist away. It engaged instantly and cured any snow-related traction ills. Yes, you have to switch the system on and off — you can't set it and forget it — but small price for the exemplary results. (Intended for bad weather, not off-roading, it has no low-range gears.)