Background: It’s baaaaaaack. That is…the full-size station wagon. How many years have passed since a station wagon was considered cool, phat, keen, boss or (insert your own hip, high-octane modifier here)? The Dodge Magnum is a car-based, wagon-like vehicle that’s turning heads and creating a new vocabulary of catchy superlatives. Baby boomers whose first behind-the-wheel “wagon” experience was with a Vista Cruiser showed their disgust by creating a burgeoning sport utility segment as soon as their purchasing power permitted. After all, the station wagon was their “parent’s” car and driving a parental unit vehicle is anything but “awesome.” The station wagon is not dissimilar to comedian Rodney Dangerfield; both deserve a little respect. Remember, a station wagon can be just as versatile as an SUV, and wagons generally weigh less, providing better gas mileage than suddenly-not-so-trendy-anymore SUVs. Dodge’s 2005 model year Magnum is an all-new, rear-wheel drive wagon replacing the outgoing Dodge Intrepid sedan in the product mix. Magnum began rolling off the assembly line this past March. All-wheel drive becomes optional in July. It’s been a while since Dodge sported anything outside of the traditional truck family with rear-wheel drive. Advances in traction and slip control have made rear-drive vehicles more palatable in multi-season areas including Chicagoland. Chrysler Corporation’s 1998 merger with Mercedes-Benz also made available to Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep a new generation of rear-wheel drivetrains. Dodge builds the Magnum along with its sister vehicle, the all-new, rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300C sedan, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Currently, these are the only two vehicles assembled at this venue, which underwent a complete renovation to accommodate these new products. The 300C becomes available with all-wheel drive this fall. The latest rumor stoking the automotive mill has to do with Dodge re-introducing the Charger muscle-car nameplate popular in the 1970s and creating a modern day, rear-wheel-drive, V-8-powered rocket based on the Magnum and 300C platform. While no “official” word has come down from corporate headquarters concerning this move, expect a new-generation Charger in dealers sooner rather than later.
Engines: Three engine selections are available: two V-6 offerings and the notable Hemi V-8 named for the hemispherical shape of the cylinder system. Each engine corresponds with its own trim level. The entry Magnum SE comes with a 2.7-liter, double overhead cam, 24-valve V-6 delivering 190 horsepower and requires regular, 87-octane fuel. A mid-level STX trim includes the high output 3.5-liter single overhead cam 24-valve V-6 delivering 250 horses and requires mid-grade 89 octane fuel. Both these engines are assembled in Kenosha, Wis. The top-of-the-line RT includes a powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine featuring multi-displacement system (MDS) which turns off certain cylinders at highway speeds to conserve fuel. The engine delivers 340 horsepower and mid-grade 89-octane fuel is recommended. Dodge estimates Hemi engines with MDS garner 20 percent better fuel economy. Mileage estimates of the RT are 17 miles per gallon city and 25 m.p.g. highway. The Hemi V-8 is mated with a five-speed automatic transmission. The two six-cylinder engines are connected with a four-speed automatic. The SE and SXT models feature an 18-gallon tank while the RT edition has a 19-gallon reservoir.
Price: Chrysler supplied the Daily Herald with a bright red Magnum RT with the potent Hemi V-8 engine. Base price was $29,370. After adding in a power moonroof ($895), side curtain air bag system ($590), electronic convenience group ($630), heated power front seats and adjustable pedals ($925), navigation system ($1,895), Sirius Satellite radio ($325), the bottom line ended up at $36,250 with $625 destination charge. The entry-level SE edition starts at $21,870 while the mid-level SXT checks in at $25,370. Other larger size station wagons available on the market include the six-cylinder exclusive, front-wheel drive Ford Taurus starting in the $23,000 neighborhood.
Standard equipment: All three trim levels include: rear-window defogger, rear wiper, power windows, air conditioning, power door locks, cruise control, power side-view mirrors, AM/FM/compact disc player (cassette players are not available), rack-and-pinion steering, outside temperature display and telescoping steering wheel. Options include Sirius Satellite Radio (which carries a monthly subscription rate of approximately $12.95 plus the initial $325 cost), GPS navigation system, heated front seats and a power moonroof.
Inside: Magnum is a five-seater with two bucket seats up front and 60/40 split bench seating in back. No third-row seat is offered. When additional cargo space is needed, second-row seat backs fold flat onto the cushions. Cloth seating comes standard in V-6 editions while leather seating is the norm in the Hemi V-8. With the rear seats up, three average-sized adults can fit in relative comfort. With seats folded, cargo volume increases to 71.6 cubic feet. This is less than the Taurus wagon’s 81.3 cubic feet of space. Taurus is also available with third-row seating. The Magnum’s cargo bottom lifts up to reveal a small, sectioned storage area. Underneath this plastic compartment is a temporary spare tire and car battery. The flat roof design translates to a bit less headroom than one finds in a traditional sport utility. The ignition cylinder is found on the dashboard right of the steering column. The thick turn signal handle operates the front windshield wiper. Also on the same side is a second appendage controlling cruise control (a Mercedes-Benz influence). Power window, lock and outside mirror functions are all found on the driver’s door along the front of the arm rest. Headlights operate from a far left side dashboard dial. The instrument panel contains four large, independent, circular, deep-set gauges with mostly analog readout. A digital readout at the bottom of the left center gauge lists outside temperature and radio frequency. The right center gauge has a secondary gear shift indicator. The RT’s steering wheel includes secondary radio controls through brushed aluminum square buttons. The center dash includes a 5.8-inch full-color display housing a six-unit compact disc player, AM/FM radio and optional navigation system and satellite radio. Four circular dials below monitor ventilation functions. Above the screen are buttons controlling the rear wiper and hazard lights. Between the front bucket seats is the floor-mounted automatic transmission. To the side is a narrow slot for storing a cell phone or other items. In back are permanently molded dual side-by-side beverage holders and a flip-top storage bin/arm rest.
Exterior: Magnum’s large front grille with horizontal slats bears a strong family resemblance to those of the Dodge Ram pickup truck family. Rectangular-shaped headlight housing flanks the side of the grille with a Dodge Ram logo front and center. The low-slung side profile reflects a current Chrysler trend of shorter windows and more sheet metal with higher “belt lines.” This same philosophy holds true on the 2005 Chrysler 300C and 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. Body-color, strap-like handles adorn all four side doors. The square fuel tank door is on the driver-side rear panel. In back, the rear hatch is hinged far forward along the roof, a design Dodge refers to as “extreme access.” This allows the person opening the curved hatch door to stand pat, eliminating the need to step back as the door lifts up from the bottom. The glass does not open separately but does include a standard wiper. Thanks to it’s rear-wheel architecture, Magnum can tow up to 3,800 pounds.
Safety features: De-powered front dual air bags, energy-absorbing steering column and rear safety-lock doors come standard. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are standard in SXT and RT editions and optional in SE. Self-sealing tires, adjustable pedals and side-curtain air bags are optional across the board.
Warranty: Chrysler Group upped its powertrain warranty a couple of years ago to a seven-year-70,000-mile (whichever comes first) duration for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. Components covered include the engine, transmission/transaxle, transfer case and axles. This warranty is fully transferable to subsequent owners at no extra cost. The basic warranty covering parts other than the powertrain (except for routine maintenance items) is for three years or 36,000 miles. Road side assistance is also three years/36,000 miles. The rust/corrosion coverage is for five years or 100,000 miles.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 120 inches
Overall length: 197.7 inches
Overall width: 74.1 inches
Overall height: 58.4 inches
Curb weight: 4,142 pounds
Final thoughts: After sampling this product for a week, unscientific polling indicates Dodge dealers have the potential of entertaining many shoppers during the foreseeable future. Lots of thumbs up and double takes took place. Magnum earned mighty high scores on the SAG (stop and gawk) meter. Driving-wise the V-8 Hemi engine provided more than ample power. Rear wheel architecture leads to a longer wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) contributing to a smooth and more balanced ride. Be aware of the narrow, rectangular windows that don’t provide the same expansive views of sport utility vehicles or even many sedan models. Don’t expect a lot of incentives or cash-back rebates for the 2005 Magnum. Do expect to pay close to sticker price as demand will most likely outstrip supply during the first year. |