The rear-wheel-drive Magnum replaces the front-wheel-drive Intrepid, and it’s the only passenger car in the Dodge lineup. Three models and three engines are offered. The 190-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 is the base engine; the SXT gets the 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and the RT has the 340-horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. All-wheel drive is optional on the SXT and RT. Prices start at $21,870 for the base model, $25,370 for the SXT and $29,370 for the RT.

Dodge never refers to the Magnum as a station wagon. The company calls it a cross between a sport-utility and a sedan. It’s a wagon in my book, but that’s endearing to me since I have always been a station wagon fan.

The coolest thing about the Magnum is its styling. I love the high beltline and sloping rear roof that creates a profile like one of George Barris’ 1950 Mercury lead-sled customs. The huge cross-hair grille looks like it could have been lifted from a Dodge pickup and is the least impressive feature of the design. From the outside, it looks as if the small rear windows would be a disaster for rear vision, but I did not find that to be so. Careful use of outside mirrors is required.

The sloping roof does impinge a bit on hauling capacity. When the back seat is folded, the cargo area is plenty long but its height suffers. The tailgate extends forward almost to the back seat, creating an 11.3-cubic-foot opening big enough to swallow a 27-inch television, Dodge says.

The Magnum rides on the same platform as the Chrysler 300, and that gives it excellent on-road dynamics. Rear-wheel drive ultimately offers better handling than front-wheel drive, and electronic aids, such as traction control, ESP vehicle stability programs and ABS antilock brakes, improve foul-weather traction immensely. For those who live in the Snow Belt, all-wheel drive is the ticket.

Dodge is marketing the Magnum as a performance vehicle, so the RT, with its 340-horsepower Hemi V-8, is getting most of the attention. That is the vehicle that I drove.

The Hemi V-8 makes wonderful power without ever feeling high-strung or nervous. The unique multiple-displacement system shuts down four of the eight cylinders when cruising at steady speeds, and that improves fuel efficiency up to 20 percent, according to Dodge. This system reactivates all eight cylinders in 40 milliseconds. The transition is so seamless I could never detect it. The Hemi with MDS is rated at 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway.

Interior quality is one area where the Magnum and its sibling, the Chrysler 300C, show vast improvement over the Intrepid and Concorde. The cabin of the RT is snug and cozy. Large white-faced gauges are rimmed by brushed silver trim. The instrument panel is covered with a heavy, low-gloss texture that resembles real leather. The center stack contains large, easy-to-grip climate-control knobs. The test car had dual-zone heating and cooling.

The gearshift lever for the RT’s five-speed automatic has a notched shift gate like that of a European sedan. A large knob that feels stout and substantial tops the lever.

The test car was equipped with the combination AM/FM/CD player and DVD-navigation system. (the car used for the photos did not have navigation) This $1,895 option has a slightly smaller screen than most navigation systems, and small buttons surround it. A small joystick controller operates the nav system. This system was not as easy to use as the touch-screen which is bigger. I’m becoming less and less a fan of these nav systems because many are too complex to use.

The Magnum’s seats provide excellent support and are firmer than most previous Dodge products. That’s good. Perhaps that’s the Mercedes-Benz influence showing up. The seating position is 2.5 inches higher than previous Chrysler sedans, so getting in and out is easy.

The rear seat has plenty of legroom for adults. Headroom, despite the sloping roof, doesn’t seem to be an issue either.

The RT’s 18-inch wheels and large tires play a significant role in delivering sporty handling. The Magnum is no racer, but it sits flat in turns and handles high-speed cruising with ease.

I have not driven a V-6-engined model with smaller wheels, but I suspect those handle almost as well just because the basic chassis balance is so good.

For those who don’t want a station wagon, there is the strong possibility that Dodge will introduce a four-door sedan next year, and it will probably bear the Charger name. All indications are that while it may share similar proportions and mechanical components, it will not be just a four-door Magnum.

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Specifications

Standard Equipment
(partial list)
SE:

• 2.7 Liter V6 engine
• 4-speed automatic transmission
• Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
• Steel wheels with full wheel covers
• Cloth upholstery
• Air conditioning
• Tilt & telescopic steering wheel
• Power windows
• Power door locks
• AM/FM stereo CD player with 4 speakers

SXT adds...

• 3.5 Liter V6 engine with variable valve timing
• Alloy wheels
• Privacy glass
• 4-wheel ABS
• Traction control
• Stability control
• emergency braking assist
• 8-way power driver seat

RT adds...

• 5.7 Liter Hemi V8 engine with cylinder deactivation
• 5-speed shiftable automatic
• 18" polished alloy rims
• Front and rear ventilated disc brakes
• Front Fog/Driving Lights
• Leather upholstery
• leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift knob
• 288 watt stereo output
• Boston Acoustics premium brand speakers

Major Available Options

• All-wheel drive
• GPS navigation system
• Power sunroof
• Dual zone automatic climate control
• Sirius Satellite Radio
• AM/FM stereo w/6-disc CD changer
• ABS Brakes (SE)
• Power-adjustable pedals
• Stability control (SE)
• Curtain airbags
• Leather upholstery (SXT)
• Load Leveling and Height Control

For more information on the Magnum, visit  dodge.com

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