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Summary
With the new Dodge Magnum, you don't have to
call your car a truck any more. Suddenly, with the new Dodge Magnum,
it fits. It's a full-size American car with spacious cargo capacity
and available all-wheel drive. The Magnum comes standard with a
190-horsepower double-overhead-cam V6 that gets 21-28 miles per
gallon, at a stunning base price of $22,495 including destination.
Even if you got the 340-horsepower Hemi engine with the Magnum, if
you used it to commute on the freeway at a steady 60 mph, you could
average 25 miles per gallon, on 87 octane although 89 is
recommended.
Full 2008 Magnum Review
For 2005 three Dodge Magnum models are available. It uses
Chrysler's proven 2.7-liter aluminum V6 mated to a four-speed
automatic transmission, rated to tow 1000 pounds. Standard equipment
includes premium cloth interior, air conditioning, power windows and
locks with remote entry, a 60/40 split rear seat with center
armrest, AM/FM/CD sound system, tilt-telescoping steering column,
solar control window glass, rack-and-pinion steering, 17-inch wheels
and disc brakes. The SXT comes with a 3.5-liter
single-overhead-cam V6 that makes 250 horsepower and gets 19/27
miles per gallon on 89 octane recommended, 87 acceptable. In these
days of high V8 horsepower, that 250 number might have lost its
meaning, but 250 horsepower is a lot, especially effective with 250
pound-feet of torque as this engine offers. The SXT uses the same
four-speed automatic with a tall overdrive for good gas mileage.
2005 SXT models will also offer all-wheel drive, which comes with a
five-speed automatic. Equipment-wise, the SXT most notably adds the
magic combination of ABS with brake assist, all-speed traction
control and electronic stability. It also offers aluminum wheels,
tinted glass, cargo cover, and an eight-way power driver's seat.
The R/T gets the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi,
delivering 340 horsepower and a humongous 390 pound-feet or torque,
rated to tow 3800 pounds. It uses a five-speed automatic
transmission with AutoStick, designed by Mercedes and built in the
U.S. by Chrysler. The R/T adds to the SXT features a leather
interior, bigger and beefier brakes, 18-inch polished aluminum
wheels, dual exhausts, foglights, and a Boston Acoustics premium
six-speaker sound system with a 288-watt digital amplifier.
Optional equipment includes a power passenger
seat, heated front seats, dual zone automatic climate control,
electronic vehicle information center, electrochromic rearview
mirror, front and rear air curtains, air filtration, self-sealing
tires, hands-free cell phone capability, power adjustable pedals, GPS
navigation system with integrated six-disc CD/MP3 player, SIRIUS
satellite radio, sunroof and load-leveling shocks.
Exterior Design
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. 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. The
wheel cutouts are profound, and especially imposing with the 18-inch
10-spoke wheels on the RT. The black trim around the windows is in
keeping with the car's style, but the chrome ding-strip down the
side seems gratuitous.
2005 Magnum 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. 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
console compartment is decent sized, and contains practical coinholders. There's also a sunglasses holder within the driver's
reach.
First Drive 2005 Magnum
The Dodge Magnum was a car we didn't want to
stop driving. All that horsepower, all that torque, great tight
handling, solid comfortable ride, very enjoyable instrument panel
and steering wheel and seats. The specs say that the engine is electronically
limited to 5800 rpm, but our Magnum shifted at 5500. The engine felt
easily underworked at that speed. Even with all that power and
torque, the acceleration isn't neck-snapping; the Magnum has a very
tall final drive ratio of 2.82, which is great for gas mileage and
quiet running, but tempers acceleration. There were times it felt
like it had 340 horsepower, and times it didn't. With torque peaking
at 4000 and horsepower peaking at 5000, there's a relatively small
area of maximum happy performance for such a big engine. With
better gripping tires it's unlikely that intrusion would occur. This car
warrants sport or high-performance tires, though they may not last
as long or work as well in the winter.
We also felt the front wheels bouncing at
times, which was the only blemish on an otherwise great ride, tested
in a variety of road conditions. Again, we suspect tires. The front vented rotors measure a huge 13.6
inches and the rear vented rotors are 12.6; additionally, the fronts
use dual piston calipers. Couple that mechanical strength with ABS
with brake assist, which balances the braking between front and
rear, and no worries, you're going to stop when you need to.
2005 Conclusions
The Dodge Magnum is a landmark car, or a
watershed car, or something like that. For the irresistible price of
$22,495 including destination, the Magnum SE comes with a good and
proven V6 engine, making more horsepower than the six-cylinder
that's in the BMW 525i Sport Wagon, which costs $40,000.
"Ultimate American station wagon. Very fast. Solid handling. Roomy.
Comfortable." says the Chicago
Sun-Times. The Magnum
RT with the powerful and frugal multi-displacement 5.7-liter Hemi is
one of a kind, at just $30,000. The Magnum excels with its quiet cabin, smooth
and solid ride, and tight handling. Its interior is well
thought-out, and the rear-wheel-drive design with a long wheelbase
and short overhangs allows a lot of room inside.