2005 Dodge Magnum SXT

2005 Dodge Magnum SXT (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123)

I would argue (and win) that the Magnum is the best-looking car rolling on this new platform that also houses the 300C and Charger. The 300C is an attractive car, but its fascia is sleepy looking with the lights being softly shaped and sort of droopy. The fascia on the Magnum is far more excited looking, awake, and alive. It's styled with some real American energy: chunky angles, a low roofline, big wheels and a wide, low stance which is almost menacing in your rear view mirror. I love American cars, especially this one.

My SXT tester had a sticker price of about $33,000. Boarding my black Magnum, the first thing I noticed was how low it really is. The low roof and short windows make you feel like you are driving a coupe, the effect being further augmented by the serious look to the interior. It demands attention, and the well laid-out controls and panels are all business. Take a look at the instrument cluster, which consists of individual gauges shrouded separately in a soft metallic-looking trim, and the first thing that comes to mind is the display on a Dodge Viper. Did I mention that I think black on white gauges are incredibly good-looking? After seeing all this, I thought to myself "what am I driving again?" This is a wagon? It really does come off as something sportier when you get inside, not a car that can haul a family around if you need it to. If you wind up questioning what sort of machine you are driving when you get into the Magnum at first, just turn around. Then, the size is apparent instantly. There are three seats behind you, and behind them is a large cargo area. It has a built-in organizer, some side pockets (these are useful for keeping things upright, like a gallon of milk for instance), a cover so no one sees what you've got in back and the seats even fold flat to create a space so big you could nearly play tennis inside. Good luck trying that in a 300C.

2005 Dodge Magnum SXT (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123)

The seats are a bit stiff but have excellent support. I found abundant headroom, and if you're a lot taller than me, a sunroof is also available. Even in the backseat there is plenty of leg and shoulder room. Four adults would be able to stretch out and talk with their hands in the Magnum, maybe 5 adults if needed. The driver seat is height-adjustable -- meaning you can put on your leather gloves, sunglasses and drop down to sit stealthily behind the high window line at the push of a button. Visibility is good -- I did find the windshield pillars to be a little large and obtrusive when looking around a corner, but the blind spot is minimal when changing lanes. Reversing and articulating one's way around a parking lot in a vehicle this size can be a challenge, but the visibility out the back is good enough that you won't have much trouble. My only complaint about the interior really is the awkward placement of the signal lever, which doesn't fall quite at your fingertips and requires a little reach. Then again, you may very well have longer fingers than I do.

On the streets, the Magnum's ride makes the interior that much more inviting. It's a very quiet cabin, because the long wheelbase works to dissipate all but the largest upsets in the road. The Magnum isn't a very aerodynamic car, but the wind noise at highway speeds stays outside of the cockpit. It's so quiet, you may find yourself wanting to try out the 6-CD changer stereo system. The sound quality is good, even cranked up, and what's more, Dodge has installed a CASSETTE PLAYER! Yes, a cassette player! Remember those plastic rectangular jobbies with the two wheels inside from about 10 years back? Well you can play them in your Magnum. I wish I'd brought my old Duran Duran tape along for the ride. Had I'd known, I would have.