2007 Dodge Magnum Review
The Dodge Magnum was first introduced in 2005, and
instead of a front-wheel-drive sedan like its Dodge Intrepid
predecessor, the Magnum is a rear- or all-wheel-drive wagon. The
Magnum is available in four trims. New exterior colors are available
for 2007, and R/T models have standard Sirius Satellite Radio. The
high performance SRT8s gained two new exterior colors, and a rear
seat video system is optional. In addition to two V-6 engines, a
Hemi V-8 that cranks out 340 horsepower can power the Magnum. To
boost fuel economy, an innovative Multi-Displacement System in the
Hemi shuts down half of the engine's cylinders during light engine
load conditions.
Trims
The 2007 Dodge Magnum is available in four models. The SE standard
equipment includes premium cloth interior, air conditioning, cruise
control, power windows and locks with remote entry, a 60/40 split
rear seat with center armrest, AM/FM/CD sound system,
tilt-telescoping steering column, rack-and-pinion steering, 17-inch
wheels and disc brakes.
The SXT comes with a 3.5-liter single overhead cam V6 and a
five-speed automatic with AutoStick. SXTs are available with
all-wheel drive. The SXT comes with ABS with Brake Assist, all-speed
traction control and electronic stability control, aluminum wheels,
tinted glass, cargo cover, and an eight-way power driver's seat. For
2007, the Convenience Group III bundles automatic headlamps, one
touch express up and down front windows and dual-zone climate
control. Also available on the SXT this year is a GPS navigation
system.
The R/T gets the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi and a five-speed automatic
transmission with AutoStick. The R/T is also available with
all-wheel drive. The R/T features a leather interior, bigger and
beefier brakes, a 19-gallon gas tank, 18-inch polished aluminum
wheels, dual exhausts, foglights, and a Boston Acoustics premium
six-speaker sound system with a 288-watt digital amplifier. An
updated Road/Track Performance Group tweaks the V8 for an additional
10 horsepower, adds 20-inch wheels and performance suspension.
The SRT8 features the 6.1-liter V8 Hemi and a five-speed AutoStick
automatic. Developing 420 pounds-feet of torque, the big V-8 issues
enough energy to send the wagon from zero to 60 mph in a little more
than 5 seconds. The race-inspired interior features deeply sculpted,
highly bolstered front sport seats. SRT-tuned dampers, tailored
spring rates, larger anti-sway bars and 20-inch forged-aluminum
wheels are installed. Manual air conditioning is standard on the
SRT8, as are power-adjustable, sport-bolstered front seats; cruise
control; power locks, windows and mirrors; power adjustable pedals;
ESP; antilock brakes with Brake Assist; and 20x9-inch forged
aluminum wheels with Goodyear F1 high-performance tires.
Handling
The Magnum rides comfortably on smooth surfaces. The 3.5-liter V-6
performs with satisfying zip, but it's a little noisy. Engine noise
with the 2.7-liter V-6 is more noticeable but not bothersome, and
performance doesn't fall far short of the bigger V-6. The SXT model
sticks to the road well. Models with the Electronic Stability
Program handle wintry surfaces amazingly well. However, you
sometimes get the feeling that the system has taken over a little
too much.
Powertrain
A standard 2.7-liter V-6 in the base model produces 190 hp, and a
250-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 is optional. Dodge's 340-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi
V-8 powers the R/T. The base V-6 drives a four-speed automatic
transmission, while the 3.5-liter V-6 and the Hemi V-8 use a
five-speed automatic that has AutoStick for manually selected gear
changes. The five-speed automatic transmission upshifts smoothly.
The shift lever moves through a slotted gate, with AutoStick actions
managed with sideways movements at the bottom end of the gate. The
SXT's 3.5-liter V6 makes 250 horsepower and is rated to tow 2000
pounds. The R/T engine's Multi-Displacement System, or MDS, cuts out
half of the eight cylinders whenever horsepower is not needed. At a
steady 60 miles per hour or less on a flat highway, it only uses
four cylinders and gets about 30 miles per gallon. With a response
time of 0.04 seconds, the transition of going from a V4 back to a V8
is smooth. The R/T is rated by the EPA at 17/25 mpg. Although
technically capable of towing 3800 pounds with the optional tow
package, Dodge does not recommend using the R/T as a tow vehicle.
The R/T uses a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick.
Interior
Five occupants can fit inside the 2007 Magnum, which has a
60/40-split, folding rear seat. Backseat legroom and headroom are
plentiful, but the center rider faces a large driveline tunnel. The
rear seat's measurements come within an inch of the front's except
in legroom, where the rear seat gives up just over an inch and a
half to the front. The 60/40 split rear seat seats three people, but
a wide, center armrest with cupholders drops down to make it more
comfortable for two. There's plenty of head clearance despite the
roofline, which poses no rear visibility problem for the driver.
Long, slim quarter windows impair over-the-shoulder views. Cargo
volume totals 27.2 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 71.6 cubic
feet with the seat folded. A tri-fold false floor allows for extra
storage. The driver’s seat is comfortable and adjustable. The
steering wheel offers both tilt and telescope adjustments and the
pedals are power adjustable. Adjustable pedals can help people of
small stature position themselves farther away from the
airbag-equipped steering wheel, lessening the chance of
airbag-related injuries. The Magnum’s placement of the entertainment
system's video screen is unique. In lieu of suspending it from the
ceiling or planting it in the backside of the front seat head
restraints, Dodge pivots the Magnum's up out of the front center
console. This positions it for viewing between the front seats at
just above knee level, and this preserves the driver's view out the
back window. The four-spoke steering wheel is sharp, with buttons
for cruise and sound control.
Exterior
The EPA classifies the 2007 Dodge Magnum as a sport utility. Dodge
calls it a sport tourer, and some call it a sport wagon. It's a
long, low, beefy station wagon on a wide track, with a big bold
grille and a chopped top. The Magnum is one vehicle with a huge
presence. Significantly sportier in shape than most wagons, the
Magnum features distinct tapered rear-quarter windows. Big fender
flares surround 17-, 18- or 20-inch wheels, depending on the model.
Simple bodyside moldings are included, and the front end features
Dodge's characteristic crosshair grille. Rather than a traditional
near-vertical liftgate, the Magnum's reaches well forward into the
roof, which allows the liftgate to rise nearly straight up. The
grille is clearly from the Dodge Ram truck family, and the headlamp
units are a nice integrated wedge shape. The SRT8 gets a mesh grille
insert surrounded by a blockier fascia with a more aggressive air
dam and enlarged, brake-cooling ducts.
Safety
Antilock brakes, traction control and an Electronic Stability
Program are standard on the SXT and R/T. Side curtain airbags are
optional. Safety features on all models include advanced multistage
dual front airbags and the LATCH child seat anchor system.
The Dodge Magnum makes a statement on the road; there is no other
car like it. When equipped with all-wheel drive, it will do almost
anything an SUV will do, with distinctive style, more speed, better
handling and better fuel mileage. The Magnum’s ride is smooth and
its acceleration responsive. Its cabin is large and comfortable, as
the underlying rear-wheel-drive design with a long wheelbase and
short overhangs allows a lot of room inside. It is true that the
2007 Magnum has aggressive styling, and this is not for all, but it
is practical and has great value. Fuel economy range for the Magnum
is 28 mpg Hwy, and 21 mpg City.
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