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2005 Dodge Magnum Full-Size Station Wagon
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A wagon by any other name ... No matter what you call it, the Dodge Magnum rocks
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Better yet, the engine can deactivate four cylinders when it doesn't need the power from all eight. It results in about 20 percent fuel savings, Dodge claims, even though you can't feel when the engine changes from four-cylinder to eight-cylinder mode. It's a seamless transition.
Although the base Magnum is rear-wheel drive in the grand musclecar tradition, all-wheel drive is available on the SXT and RT models to offer more balanced power for cornering and more traction on snowy or wet roads. Coupled with electronic traction and stability control, it's about as failsafe as cars get.
If you care more about the functionality of your vehicle than the style or power, the Magnum still delivers.
The interior is spacious and nice looking, offering ample room in both the front and back seats. When you need to haul something from the home improvement store, you can fold down the back seat to create a cavernous cargo area that rivals many SUVs.
My only gripe has to do with a couple of controls. For one, it has the most idiotic cruise control system ever devised. It's a stick that moves in five different directions to do five different functions. You move it one way to engage cruise control, a second way to set your speed, a third way to accelerate, a fourth way to decelerate, and a fifth way to cancel cruise control. I doubt politicians could develop a more needlessly complex control to do something so simple.
Similarly, the radio has too many small buttons that aren't labeled well. Most Chrysler group products have the same problem -- buttons that are all the same size, all the same color, and with tiny white writing on them to tell you what they do.
Despite these two little drawbacks, I loved my week behind the wheel of this musclecar for the 21st century. It had plenty of style, plenty of power, and plenty of practicality.
So what more could you ask for? Only a little honesty. It's a station wagon, and Dodge should dang well call it one.
Pros: If you need a family car but want something that's a lot more fun, check out this wagon. It looks cool, drives fast, and can haul a bunch of stuff.
Cons: Some interior controls are overly complex, and it can get fairly pricey with the Hemi engine. It starts at $22,495 without the Hemi and almost $30,000 with it.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 10
- Performance: 10
- Price: 8
- Handling: 7
- Ride: 7
- Comfort: 8
- Quality: 7
- Overall: 9
More Data
Where Built: Canada
Major Options: SXT Quick Order package with; traction control, antilock brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, 8-way power driver seat, illuminated visor mirrors, cargo cover, cargo net, rear privacy glass, heavy-duty alternator and engine cooling, alloy wheels. Electronic Stability package with; traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system. Protection with; front side airbags, curtain side airbags, interior air filter, all-season self-sealing tires. Leather, Navigation, Satellite, Power everything, Heated seats.
Seating: 5.
Number of Rows: 2.
Length in Inches: 197.7
Warrantees: 3 years/36,000 miles Bumper to Bumper, 7/70,000 miles Extended powertrain, 5 years/100,000 miles Corrosion protection, 3 years/36,000 miles Free roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 3855 lb
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not available.
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 18.0
Destination Charge: $625
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