Part sedan, part station wagon, part muscle car, the
stylish Magnum is one of the best vehicles to ever wear the Dodge
name.
For most buyers, the attraction of the Magnum is two-fold:
Its aggressive styling and the availability of Chrysler's latest
rendition of its famed Hemi V8 engine. While those are powerful
lures, to judge the Magnum on those factors alone sells this vehicle
short.
Using many chassis parts from the Mercedes-Benz E
Class, thanks to the DaimlerChrysler synergy, the Magnum is a rear-wheel-drive
vehicle, with the option of full-time all-wheel-drive. About the
overall size of a Ford Taurus, the Magnum rides on a longer wheelbase,
which translates into a remarkably smooth ride that borders on a
luxury feel, even in the RT, which is sprung for a sportier ride.
In base form, the Magnum SE comes with a 190-horsepower
2.7-liter V6 coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission. The
next model up, the SXT, gets a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, also
connected to a four-speed automatic. The top-of-the-line RT of
course gets the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that produces 340 horsepower.
Later this year, Dodge will offer the Magnum SRT8, which comes
with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 that makes 425 horsepower.
For most buyers, the Magnum to choose is the SXT,
both in terms of standard equipment -- power driver seat, anti-lock
brakes, electronic stability control, polished 18-inch wheels
-- and the 250-horsepower V6.
The Magnum is a heavy car, weighing more than 3,800
pounds, and the 190-horsepower base V6 has to work a little too
hard from a start. While the SXT's 250-horsepower V6 won't deliver
the grunt of the Hemi V8, it's no slouch and it's rated at 19/27
miles per gallon. Sticker prices start at about $28,500.
But for those who want the real thrill ride, the
Magnum RT is the way to go.
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Interior, Magnum SXT
Click image for larger view
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Crank over the Hemi V8 and the Magnum comes to life
with a rumble not heard in a Dodge sedan since the 1960s muscle
cars. Acceleration is awesome, especially for such a big car.
The 0-to-60-miles-an-hour time is about 6.5 seconds. Traction
and stability control helps keep the car moving in the right direction.
But there's more here than a big V8.
Inside there's room for five adults, and the three
people in the back will have plenty of leg room, although the
sloping roof design will limit headroom in the back for those
over six feet tall.
For those who need occasional cargo room, the Magnum
offers 27.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and
there are various cubby hole spaces in the floor for small-item
storage. Fold down the rear seats -- which have a 60/40 split
-- and as much as 72 cubic feet is available.
For those who need to tow a small boat or trailer,
the Magnum is rated for up to 3,800 pounds. For maximum traction,
an all-wheel-drive setup is available, which adds about $2,000
to the base price of the RT or SXT model.
With such utility, the Magnum could be a sensible
alternative to a sport-utility vehicle for buyers who want a more
nimble vehicle.
For buyers who go for the RT with the Hemi, the
only drawback is the fuel mileage. Although rated at 17/23 mpg
by the EPA, our observed mileage during admittedly hard driving
never rose above 18 mpg.
And the RT comes with sticker shock if a buyer opts
for a fully loaded Magnum RT. Our rear-wheel-drive test car topped
$36,000, which puts in into luxury sedan territory, but on a par
with some similarly equipped SUVs.
What puts the Magnum RT ahead for some buyers is
the rumble and thrust of that 340-horsepower V8 combined with
the sleek body and the utility of the added cargo room.
Specifications:
| Base list price, including delivery charge: |
$30,070 |
| Engine: |
5.7-liter V8 |
| Horsepower: |
340 @ 5000 rpm |
| Transmission: |
5-speed automatic |
| Chassis: |
Rear-wheel-drive
Full-time all-wheel-drive (Opt) |
| Basic warranty: |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Fuel economy: |
17/23 mpg EPA est., 18.1 mpg observed |
| Special factory lease/finance: |
None |
-- Posted: Feb. 15, 2005
