2005 Dodge Magnum Review, Prices, Photos

2005 Dodge Magnum Review, Prices, Photos

2005 Dodge Magnum Review, Prices, Photos

2005 Dodge Magnum (continued)

Walkaround

The styling of the Magnum is so distinctive that a picture will say far more than words can. It's a long, low, beefy station wagon on a wide track with big bold grille and a chopped top. It would be an understatement to say the Magnum has presence. In fact, there is nothing like it on the road.

However it's not called a station wagon any more; Dodge calls it a “sport tourer.” Others call this new direction a sports wagon. And that's what it is: a crossover between sports car and station wagon. More accurately, the Dodge Magnum is a crossover between muscle car and station wagon. Eminently civilized, of course.

The grille is clearly from the Dodge Ram truck family, but it's smaller, softer and classier. The headlamp units are a nice integrated wedge shape. We like them better than those on the new Chrysler 300, the Magnum's sister car, which try harder to be retro. The air dam/bumper cover wraps up under the headlamps and grille, and looks impressively beefy and functional.

From the side, the Magnum looks like it could be rolled onto the floor of a hot rod show. The wheel cutouts are profound, and especially imposing with the 18-inch 10-spoke wheels on the RT. But a bigger visual effect is created by the tinted glass and roofline sloping back and pinching the rear window. This serves an innovative purpose. The one-piece liftgate is hinged about two feet up into the roof, providing a vast and liberating opening to the cargo area. It requires less ducking to reach things in there, and will be easier on lower backs of all ages.

The black trim around the windows is in keeping with the car's style, but the chrome ding-strip down the side seems gratuitous.

Interior Features

If you have any doubts about the Magnum carrying as much as your SUV, fold the rear seat down flat, lift the gate, easily climb inside and crawl around a bit. Dodge lists the cargo capacity as 27.2 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 71.6 cubic feet with them down, while the EPA interior volume indicates 133.1 cubic feet. But those numbers don't sway buyers as much as their own eyes, so have a look. We did and the cargo area looks wider, flatter, longer and easier to access than most SUVs. It's just not as tall; but how often do you stack loads to the ceiling?

We also climbed in the back seat and crawled around a bit. There was room to do so, only 10 percent less than in the front seat, according to the SAE volume index. The 60/40 split rear seat holds three, but a wide armrest with cupholders drops down to make it more comfortable for two. There's plenty of head clearance despite the roofline, which also poses no rear visibility problem for the driver.

Leather is standard with the R/T, and ours was a classy dark gray, with black trim on the excellent, sporty and functional instrument panel.

We really liked the Magnum's gauges, handsome and all business, white background with black numbers and stainless trim rings. The four-spoke steering wheel was sharp, with buttons for cruise and sound control. The center stack was clean and tidy in black, with buttons that were easy to click and knobs where knobs should be, for the climate control and radio. The console compartment is decent sized, and contains practical coinholders. There's also a sunglasses holder within the driver's reach. And speaking of specialized holders, the cargo area includes a nook designed for holding a one-gallon milk jug, and grocery bags.

But mostly the Magnum feels great from the driver's seat, which is firm and comfortable. With a similar long hood, and identical wheelbase, for some reason, from behind the wheel the Magnum doesn't feel as big as the Chrysler 300.

2005 Dodge Magnum Review, Prices, Photos