2006 Dodge Magnum Test Drive

Magnum Force

A scorching 425-hp version of the Dodge Magnum joins this line of menacing-looking, yet family-friendly station wagons.

Introduced in spring 2004 as an early 2005 model, the Dodge Magnum is a modern rendition of what was once the typical family car. A rare large station wagon in a market that has since abandoned them in favor of minivans and sport utility vehicles, the Magnum is the first new four-door, rear-drive Dodge in over two decades, and one that offers V8 power to boot.

It was designed as an alternative to truck-based SUVs that would appeal to automotive enthusiasts and casual motorists alike. Enthusiasts have long eschewed front-wheel drive for the traditional front-engine/rear-differential layout and its superior ride and handling characteristics. Performance- and luxury-car builders like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have used it consistently for decades.

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New for 2006 is a high-performance SRT-8 version — a true muscle car in the classic sense. Its modified 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine produces an explosive 425 horsepower — enough to propel the five-passenger wagon from 0 to 60 mph in around five seconds. The five-speed automatic transmission has AutoStick manual-shift capability.

The Magnum is one of the most aggressively styled station wagons ever built. The front end is plastered with a massive version of Dodge's trademark crosshairs grille, while the roofline slopes sharply downward to the rear and gives it a sporty and menacing appearance. Since the sloping roofline could potentially compromise cargo capacity and rear access, the tailgate is hinged several inches into the roofline to afford easier loading and unloading. The rear seat backs fold flat to hold larger items.

The base SE version continues with its 190-hp, 2.7-liter V6 and four-speed automatic transmission. It's both underpowered and unadorned and seems to have been included primarily for rental-car companies and fleet use.

The SXT is more satisfying with its livelier 3.5-liter V6 that generates 250 horses and does a better job of getting this weighty wagon up to highway speeds. For 2006, it comes with the aforementioned five-speed automatic, though some early-production models may still have an older four-speed gearbox.

The SXT has a host of standard chassis-control features like antilock brakes, all-speed traction control and Electronic Stability Program that help tame the rear-drive chassis. For even greater stability and traction, an all-wheel-drive version is available. It includes larger 18-inch wheels and tires.

The R/T model features a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine that produces 340 hp and includes the five-speed automatic. The V8 comes with a "Multi-Displacement System" that selectively and imperceptibly deactivates half the cylinders under low-to-moderate throttle to help boost fuel economy by as much as 20 percent.

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The 3.5-liter V6 should be sufficient for most motorists, especially since the V8's added weight over the front wheels tends to hamper the Magnum's otherwise tenacious handling. The R/T is available with either rear- or all-wheel drive and for 2006 includes a standard tire-pressure monitor.

An optional backseat DVD system is new for '06 on the SXT and R/T, mounted on the back of the center console, facing rearward. It features a seven-inch LCD display and can play audio CDs, audio DVDs, video CDs and discs encoded with MP3 and WMA digital audio files. Front and rear passengers (the latter via wireless headphones) can enjoy different media at the same time.

The Magnum's more upscale Chrysler sedan equivalent, the 300, outsells it more than two to one. Dodge added a sedan version of the same basic vehicle for 2006, called Charger.