Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The Dodge Magnum is a landmark car, or a watershed car, or something like that. For sure, there is no other car like it. When equipped with all-wheel drive, it will do almost anything an SUV will do, with distinctive style, more speed, better handling and better fuel mileage.
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. 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. The styling might be too aggressive for many, but the practical arguments for this car are hard to beat.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Fullsize Cars |
| Editor |
Sam Moses |
| Model Lineup |
Dodge Magnum SE ($21,870); Magnum SXT ($25,370); Magnum RT ($29,370) |
| Engines (standard) |
5.7-liter ohv V8 |
| Engines (optional) |
2.7-liter DOHC V6; 3.5-liter SOHC V6; 5.7-liter V8 Hemi |
| Transmissions (standard) |
five-speed automatic with AutoStick |
| Transmissions (optional) |
four-speed automatic; five-speed automatic with AutoStick |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
multi-stage air bag system with passenger weight sensors; energy-absorbing steering column; seatbelt pretensioners with constant force retractors; crush beads and stiffeners in vehicle body; LATCH anchors and tethers for child safety seats in the rear; auto-reverse power windows |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
ABS with Brake Assist; traction control; electronic stability program; front and rear side air curtains; HID headlamps; self-sealing tires |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Canada |
| Manufacturer Phone |
800-4A-DODGE |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.4adodge.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$21,870 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Dodge Magnum RT ($29,370) |
| Standard Equipment |
5.7-liter V8 with five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick; 18-inch aluminum wheels; leather interior; foglights; dual exhaust; performance brakes; premium sound system |
| Destination Charge |
625 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
Heated front seats; power passenger seat; dual zone automatic climate control; electronic vehicle information center; self-sealing tires; SIRIUS satellite radio; power adjustable pedals; electrochromic rearview mirror |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Layout |
rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested |
$35,355 |
| Horse Power |
340 @ 5000 |
| Torque |
390 @ 4000 |
| Fuel Economy |
17/25 |
| Wheelbase |
120 |
| Length/Width/Height |
197.7/74.1/58.4 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
38.9 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.4/56.2/41.8 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.1/55.5/40.2 |
| Trunk Volume |
71.6 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
3800 |
| Front Suspension |
independent, short- long-arm |
| Rear Suspension |
independent, multi-link |
| Ground Clearance |
5.6 |
| Curb Weight |
4142 |
| Stock Tires |
P225/60R18 all-season |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
vented disc/vented disc with ABS and Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity |
19 |