In an era when many automakers are reverting to timid alpha-numeric designations for their vehicles, you have to give Dodge credit for unashamedly turning to weaponry and explosives when it comes time to christen its new vehicles.

There's the Dodge Magnum, the Dodge M80 concept and now the 2007 Dodge Nitro, the brand's first mid-size SUV that's designed to blow the competition out of the water.

At the start of the media drive of the Nitro, on a dock overlooking part of the U.S. Naval Fleet including the USS Ronald Reagan, Dodge officials blasted away at "the sea of sameness" among rivals such as the Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox and Nissan Xterra.

"They look somewhat feminine -- and not in a good way," explained Dennis Myles, Chrysler Group's senior manager of product design. "They look like they belong in an insurance ad."

But not the five-passenger Nitro, which teeters perilously close to being cartoonish with its bulging wheel flares and crosshair grille, as if it were drawn by some first-grader stoked up on Mountain Dew and M&Ms.

Still, it all seems to work in a kind of overblown, American way. I like the Nitro because it is unmistakable on the road, turns heads and has a safe, practical side, as well.

After spending the better part of the day driving around in a top-of-the-line Nitro R/T with 20-inch chrome-clad wheels and a bottom line of $29,115, my one piece of advice to buyers is this: Might as well go whole hog and order it in "inferno red crystal pearl coat," which is Dodge's signature color and seems to suit the Nitro's character particularly well.

The new Nitro, which is based on the Jeep Liberty, is on sale now, starting at $19,885, including a $660 destination charge, for the base SXT model.

The range-topping Nitro R/T won't reach Dodge dealers until later in the model year.

Unlike its crosstown competitor, the 2007 Ford Escape, which has a range of configurations, including a hybrid model and a 153-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder model, the Nitro hews strictly to performance with a choice of two V-6 engines. A Nitro hybrid is not offered and would probably be too prissy, anyway.

My test car was outfitted with the uplevel 4.0-liter single-overhead-cam V-6 engine that churns out 260 horsepower and 265 pounds-feet of torque, putting it almost precisely on par with the popular Nissan Xterra in terms of performance.

The Nitro R/T is a gutsy performer, especially on the highway in passing and merging situations, but the additional power lowers overall fuel economy. The EPA rates it at 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 21 miles per gallon on the highway.

The base engine in the Nitro is a 3.7-liter single-overhead-cam that produces a respectable 210 horsepower and 235 pounds-feet of torque. In the 4x2 model, this engine gets 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 miles per gallon on the highway.

One disappointment: You can't get a Nitro with a Hemi engine.

However, Dodge will show off a Nitro concept with a modified 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 at the upcoming Specialty Equipment Market Association show. This one-off Nitro will get a black/purple metallic paint job, 22-inch wheels and tires and ground effects. But Dodge has no plans to put a production Nitro with a Hemi on the market.

Three transmissions are offered on the Nitro: a six-speed manual, a four-speed automatic and a five-speed automatic. My Nitro R/T came standard with the five-speed automatic.

Don't count on the Nitro to take on the Rubicon Trail. It features car-type unitized construction and is not offered with a two-speed transfer case, which is critical for serious off-roading.

A part-time four-wheel-drive system is standard on 4x4 models with the manual transmission; a full-time four-wheel-drive system will be offered later in the model year on 4x4 models equipped with automatic transmissions.

The compact exterior dimensions of the Nitro -- it's shorter than a Chevrolet Cobalt sedan -- makes this SUV relatively easy to park. In addition to the standard "sport" suspension on the SXT and SLT models, the Nitro R/T, when it arrives, will come with a "performance" suspension and a firm ride that feels a bit bouncy on rough pavement.

Dodge has emblazoned the words "masculine" on the Nitro's press materials, but there's a side to the SUV that should really speak to soccer moms, too.

I was impressed at the long list of standard safety equipment, including antilock brakes, traction control and stability control. Side curtain air bags, which protect all outboard passengers, are standard, but Dodge does not offer front or rear side air bags which protect torsos on Nitro.

Later in the model year, Nitro will offer optional remote start, a nice feature because it can get your car warmed up on winter mornings before you leave the house.

And families will appreciate the Nitro's optional rear-seat entertainment system and standard Yes Essentials cloth seat fabric, which is smell- and stain-resistant.

There's even a household-style plug in the second row and an elastic strap in the front row to stow a Blackberry.

Another great practical feature on Nitro is the sliding "Load 'n Go" cargo floor, which is standard on the SLT and R/T. The floor can roll 18 inches, extends over the rear bumper and holds up to 400 pounds. This makes it easier to haul heavy items, such as air conditioners. Beneath the panel is a storage area that is big enough to hold a laptop computer or smaller items.

I was surprised, though, that with all of Dodge's dedication to people with back problems, as evidenced by the sliding cargo floor, it didn't remember to put lumbar support in the driver's seat. Another gripe is the impeded leg room for the front passenger because of the location of the transmission tunnel, not to mention a steering wheel that tilts but doesn't telescope, an option on competitors. The second-row seat is a little uncomfortable on long hauls, too, and feels too much like a picnic bench.

Those warts aside, I left San Diego with positive memories of the Nitro, including one of a group of sailors on leave who were busy snapping pictures of each other -- and the newest Dodge -- dockside on a sunny morning. As I peeled out of the parking lot, I watched one of them in my rearview mirror. He waved at the parade of Nitros passing by and gave a smart salute