Dodge Magnum SRT8: A stylish standout
Cox News Service
December 22, 2006
If a station wagon is a mom car, the Dodge Magnum SRT8 is a Stacy's mom car. This is a station wagon with exhilarating acceleration and standout styling. This car has it going on.
 Photo by Dodge
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Dodge Magnum SRT8 | |
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ABOUT THE DODGE MAGNUM SRT8:
Body style: Four-door station wagon
Price: Base MSRP $37,320, tester was $42,855
Drive: Rear-wheel
Seating: Two in front, three in rear
Engine: 6.1-liter Hemi V-8
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Miles per gallon of fuel: EPA estimate 14 city/20 highway
WHAT'S SPECIAL: Yeah, it's got a Hemi. The 6.1-liter V-8 cranks out 425 horsepower, which produces 0-60 mph times of under 6 seconds. The five-speed automatic transmission smoothly harnesses the power. The Auto Stick system allows for manual shifting. This car is fun and easy to drive.
WHAT WE LIKE: This station wagon isn't staid. The retro, Prohibition-era-gangster styling, sloping roofline, 20-inch wheels and bright red brake calipers combine to make this a very cool-looking car. The leather seats have suede inserts.
WHAT ISN'T THERE: Frugal fuel economy. The V-8 is thirsty. In a mix of stop-and-go commuting and open-road cruising, we got about 15.5 miles per gallon. The smiles per gallon tally was much higher.
YOU OUGHTA KNOW: The Magnum SRT8 rides a half-inch lower than the regular Dodge Magnum, an option for those who like the look but don't want to spring for the extra horsepower. The SXT trim, for example, has a 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, while the R/T offers a 5.7-liter V-8 with 340 horsepower.
EXTRAS: There are utilitarian touches throughout the interior — this is, after all, a station wagon. The carpeted floor of the cargo bay folds up to reveal a system of netting and hooks to haul grocery bags so that they don't slide around. The plastic subfloor is good for hauling potting soil and other cargo that might mess up the carpet. There is nearly 72 cubic feet of storage with the rear seat folded down.
AND ANOTHER THING: The Magnum is designed to stop quickly as well as go fast. The car goes from 60 mph to a stop in about 110 feet.
