Jeep® Recon To Spawn Unique Dodge Nitro Model For 2028

With only three models in its lineup, many have wondered what Dodge will do next to expand its brand. Today, we’ve got our answer. Dodge is officially making a return to the D-SUV segment with an all-new, no-nonsense, high-performance machine: the 2028 Dodge Nitro. Yes, the Nitro is back, and it’s coming in hotter than ever for the 2028 model year.

Built for the Streets, Inspired by the Trails – 

Based on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, the new Nitro shares its underpinnings with the rugged Jeep® Recon (EJ) but dials up the aggression with Dodge’s signature attitude. This new five-passenger SUV will offer both internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery-electric (BEV) powertrains, catering to purists and EV enthusiasts alike.

Under the hood of the ICE variant, the Nitro will pack the turbocharged 2.0-liter GME-T4 EVO inline-four engine, rumored to deliver a beefy 325 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Power will be channeled through a fourth-generation 8-speed automatic transmission and a full-time all-wheel-drive (AWD) system featuring torque vectoring.

For those seeking electrified muscle, the Nitro GT and R/T EVs will come equipped with a dual electric drive module (EDM) setup, cranking out an impressive 600 horsepower and 617 lb-ft of torque. Dodge engineers claim it will launch from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds—because why wouldn’t they?

Trim Levels: Sport, GT, and the Insane R/T – 

Dodge is sticking to its three-tier performance formula, offering the Nitro in Sport, GT, and R/T trims.

• Sport: The base trim is anything but basic, riding on 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 285-series Nexen rubber. It features body-colored front and rear fascias, LED reflector headlamps, LED racetrack taillights, and black door handles. Inside, drivers get a black interior with premium cloth seats, a 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, an Alpine 500-watt 9-speaker sound system, a heated steering wheel, and even a rechargeable LED flashlight in the cargo area for “serious adventuring.”
• GT: This model cranks up the aggression with a functional hood scoop (on gas-powered models), LED projector headlamps, red Brembo® brake calipers, LED foglights, a roof rack, and wider 20-inch wheels wrapped in 305-series Firestone rubber. Inside, the GT gets a 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, black leather sport bucket seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and an Alpine removable tailgate speaker—because no Dodge is complete without the ability to blast tunes while tailgating.
• R/T: The ultimate Nitro experience. Standard on this beast is a heads-up display (HUD), hands-free Level 2+ driving, self-parking tech, and an electronic rearview mirror. The R/T also boasts ventilated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, and dual rear Uconnect infotainment screens for backseat passengers who demand first-class entertainment.

For performance junkies, the R/T offers the new Track Package, which includes wider 315-series Goodyear Eagle rubber, 6-piston Brembo® brakes up front, a lowered suspension (-1 inch), and an electronic limited-slip rear differential (eLSD). Dodge says this setup makes the Nitro a track weapon—because who wouldn’t want a 4,800-lb SUV to carve corners like a Challenger?

But Wait… There’s More! – 

As if all of that wasn’t enough, sources have hinted at a Nitro SRT Demon 1200—a secret high-performance off-road version that allegedly packs 1,200 horsepower courtesy of a propane-fueled C170 engine. Sources claim it will include flame-throwing exhaust tips, an AI-powered burnout mode, and optional parachutes for “safety reasons.”

Oh, and if you think that’s extreme, rumor has it Dodge will also offer an optional cannon—a cannon—because they claim “if it was good enough for a pirate ship, it’s good enough for a Dodge SUV.”

Coming to Showrooms… Maybe?

With such an ambitious plan, we expect Dodge to announce the Nitro at a major auto show in 2027. Pricing is expected to start around $45,000 for the Sport, $55,000 for the GT, and $65,000 for the R/T. As for the Demon 1200? Pricing is estimated at around $1,680,000, but expect it to come with a waiver.

April Fools, everyone! Or is it?