2005 Dodge Magnum

If you want to stand out in the crowd, buy a new Dodge Magnum.

Dodge engineers definitely kicked it up a notch when they design the 2005 Magnum. The body resembles a cross between a hearse and a limo, but it has the heart of a sports car. You drive down the street in a Magnum and heads will turn. The sporty body style, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, powerful stance and distinctive tapered rear-quarter windows create a statement that can’t be ignored.

The one I drove was a metallic black Magnum RT. The shimmering pearl-coat paint adds to the vehicle’s powerful image, but it’s what’s under the hood that will impress your friends and make your enemies jealous: a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine that produces 340 horsepower. This bad boy will take you from zero to 60 in 6.3 seconds and have your backseat passengers flattened against their seats at liftoff.

If the power doesn’t impress them, the luxury features will. They include top-grade leather seating, power adjustable passenger seat and a Boston Acoustics 288-watt digital audio system. I love this feature, but I’m easily amused. When the radio is on, the screen not only displays the call letters and name of the station, but also the name of the song and the artist. Isn’t technology grand?

The Magnum isn’t just pretty, it helps out with the chores. It can carry a month’s worth of groceries, a large amount of garden plants, and booty from a stop at a couple garage sales. If an item is bulky, there’s no problem because of the uniquely designed tailgate that lifts nearly straight up to allow easy access to the cargo area.

This big beast also has highway manners because of the nearly 50/50 weight distribution. When it accelerates, the weight is transferred to the back, which adds pressure to the rear tires for increased traction. That and the electronic stability system keep the Magnum holding tight to the road around curves and on rough roads.

Surprisingly, the Magnum’s EPA fuel economy rating is 25 mpg on the highway. Consider that this car has a 340-horsepower engine and is a full-size, very heavy car. One reason for the improved mileage is a system that shuts off four cylinders when you’re at cruising speed.

Not bad for a car that’s still struggling with a personality problem. Am I a station wagon? A limo? A great big, lovable sports car?

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