2005 Dodge Magnum R/T Road Test

Inside, the cabin is spacious and very comfortable, and fold-flat rear seats provide a large and easy-to-load cargo area. The

The fold-flat rear seats provide a large and easy-to-load cargo area. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

unique rear liftgate is hinged forward from the D-pillar, so as to open straight up instead of swinging out -- a great aid when parallel parked to close to an adjacent car and needing to load on something big and cumbersome.

Driver and passenger controls are well planned and easily accessible (something that can't always be said for Dodge products), and the navigation system is quite user friendly (something that can't always be said for nav

The Magnum R/T's underpinnings are derived from the award-winning Chrysler 300C. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

systems period).

The fact that the Magnum R/T's underpinnings are derived from the award-winning Chrysler 300C, which itself pulls its general chassis architecture, transmission and steering components from the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, reworked for the new LX cars and built in the U.S., puts it into a rarified league.

Also rare for this class is an optional all-wheel drive system, available soon. This should appease any front-wheel drive Chrysler/Dodge fans, who lament the loss of the LH series Intrepid/Concorde/300M because of a concern for wet weather traction.