2005 Dodge Magnum Review

Specifications

Bad Boy takes on Salt Lake City

“At least it is white,” I thought to myself before heading out on the I80 towards Salt Lake City from the valet parking lot at the Utah capitals airport. If painted black the Magnum would look too “bad” to escort my family throughout the highly religious hometown of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Of course, it doesnt exactly look saintly in white either, and the fallen angel rumble escaping from the HEMIs dual exhaust system stirs up carnal sensations. Like most cities, the speed limits range from between 30 and 40 mph, but unlike most cities Salt Lakes blocks are eternally long and as wide as the River Jordan. The early Saints needed the street width to turn around their wagons, a little more challenging than maneuvering this modern day sport wagon considering its 38.9 foot turning radius is even reasonably tight for its full-size class.

I guess U-turns are permitted in Salt Lake, as pretty well everyone makes them at just about any opportunity, and no-one seems too worried about the “suggested” speed limit either, which suited me just fine considering all the motivation under my right foot. I was with the family, of course, which made it necessary to keep the passion bridled. But still, the occasional blast down South Temple Street was worth the accompanying chastisement from the seat next to me…its easier to ask for forgiveness than permission after all.

If youve never driven one of Chrysler Groups new 5.7 liter HEMI V8s, well I have to say youre truly missing out. Sure there are more fuel efficient 4- and 6-cylinder engines around, 2.7 and 3.5 liter examples that Dodge offers as base and optional equipment in this very car, actually. Its important to note that this particular V8, sporting 340-horsepower and an intimidating 390 lb-ft of torque, integrates a very sophisticated cylinder deactivation system dubbed MDS, for multi-displacement system, which actually shuts down four of its eight cylinders when under light loads. What I mean by loads is, when not carrying a lot of heavy cargo or towing, and also when not goosing the throttle. So, when driving on the highway and maintaining a constant speed somewhere near the limit you can expect to save up to 20 percent over what the 5.7 V8 would normally get without the MDS system.

Dodge mated the ballsy engine to a velvety smooth transmission, derived from the Mercedes-Benz 5-speed that still powers many five-pointed star cars. It puts the Magnum in a class of very few V8 powered cars, and one of few in the mid-$30s price range. Its perfectly mated to the HEMI, producing close to seamless shift intervals up and down the gearbox. The transmission includes AutoStick, which is not unlike other brands sequential manual mode systems other than the need to shift sideways rather than back and forth, but once you get used to that it comes quite naturally. While I left in Drive around town, I really like the manual mode for coursing through mountain roadways, something that would be ideal for Utah.

Also ideal for this state would be the cars optional all-wheel drive, something I would only want and probably would never need despite regular trips to the ski hill just outside of my West Coast city, mostly due to the rear-drive sedan boasting standard stability and traction control.

The Magnums suspension architecture is made up of an independent short/long arm (SLA) setup in front and 5-link independent configuration in the rear. No matter the road surface Dodges sport wagon is well damped over uneven pavement or when transitioning side to side, not being able to hide its weight completely but not becoming unsettled either.

Bringing the RT to a halt are standard four-wheel discs replete with four-channel ABS. They worked perfectly in Salt Lake, as they did during a previous week I spent with the RT in my home town, as they did in and around Palm Springs last year when I first tried it out.

Yeah, Ive spent a fair bit of time in the Magnum RT so far, as I have with its two V6 powered versions. But more impressive to me than the cars performance is just how much stuff I can stuff into the cargo hold, and how amazingly easy it is to get it in there. What do I mean? Dodge has engineered the roofline cut of the liftgate much farther back than on any rival, so therefore I could stand right in front of it when popping it open without being in the way. This is ideal when trying to load things aboard when someone has parked to close to your car. You can just place the chest of drawers on the hood of your thoughtless neighbors car, before sliding it into the back of the Magnum. Handy! Any other wagon and the liftgate wouldnt be operable at all.

I also like the removable floor. It folds in three for easy storage if you want to take it out altogether, or flip it over to expose either a protective vinyl covering or luxurious carpeting. Under the floor is a practical storage compartment for smaller items, ideal for valuables that are better left out of sight.

The Magnums back seat is also overzealous in its willingness to accommodate, with the ability to fold it 60/40 if needing more cargo space, or if filling it up with people, offering limo-like legroom. The outside positions are of course more comfortable, but thats not saying a full-size adult should be particularly distraught if left to the rear center. Why the rear seat volume was overkill for our two children that joined us on the trip, the added floor space made it possible to get in behind the front seats and child safety seats in order to do the parenting thing when called upon.

I guess thats why I like the Magnum so much. Its got the appeal of a Mustang, for instance, but doesnt give up much if any functionality to a taller, bulkier SUV. And when seated up front a person really feels as if theyve landed in the lap of luxury, especially if outfitted in top-line RT trim. Thats the one I would want anyway, given the standard HEMI V8. But along with that comes a mother load of standard features, including leather seating surfaces and trim. My tester was finished in gray leather, which matched the white exterior perfectly. Id take mine black on black, but hey, thats the bad boy coming out in me.

In reality Im an absolute softy, which is why I was dumbfounded not to find heated seats with the standard RT leather. I can understand why a person might not want the cold weather package in Florida, or San Diego, but Utah? It was 20 degrees Fahrenheit when I arrived, making the Magnum a chilly reception. If I lived in this city, or anywhere that gets cold, heated seats wouldnt be optional.

Throughout the week the Magnum performed flawlessly, for going back and forth to Jennifers sisters home just five or so long blocks away from our hotel at Temple Square, or out on the highway south to the Olympic speed skating oval, or for that matter on the short haul up to “This is the place” monument, where Latter-Day Saint prophet Brigham Young received the revelation that the Salt Lake Valley was to be the Rocky Mountain refuge that previous prophet Joseph Smith envisioned, a natural safe haven for the embattled Saints to call home, all of which had trekked across the plains, many towing all their belongings on handcarts and many which perished along the way. Its an amazing history, and Salt Lake City an amazing accomplishment along with its temple, tabernacle, church administration buildings and new 20-plus thousand seat conference center, as well as the many secular buildings and institutions that make up the greater Salt Lake area.

While I wont be moving to Utah anytime soon, the Magnum is definitely a car that I would seriously consider taking home if in the market for something new. Its so tremendously practical, yet still delivers ridiculously fast acceleration, nimble handling and quiet, luxurious everyday operation. All that, and it exudes a certain animal magnetism that so few new vehicles can even get close to emulating. Its a true muscle car, and another example of why Chrysler Group is now in the black when so many of its competitors are seeing red.