Station Wagon? Sport Utility Vehicle? Hearse? The new Dodge Magnum could classify as any of these, but it is actually none of them. Or maybe I should say it is all of them, mixed up in some bizarre new automotive amalgam that manufacturers don’t know what else to call it but a ‘wagon’ or, for more stylishly-inclined, a ‘sport tourer.’ If you haven’t seen one yet, you will. Reminiscent of the old Dodge Durango, but markedly different, this new vehicle is growing in popularity. Characterized by its stately presence and vintage aesthetic, the Dodge Magnum RT (and its Chrysler cousin – the 300C – which, with the help of Snoop Dogg, is the latest addition to the roster of acceptable hip-hop rides) is close in proportions to the likes of hyper-luxury cars such as Mercedes’ $400K Maybach. I’ve even been deceived by a passing Chrysler 300C once before. Perhaps this likeness to luxury on a vehicle that bears the traditionally affordable Dodge name helps contribute to this car’s mystification. I test-drove the new Dodge Magnum RT in New York City last week. Navigating this massive vehicle through the streets of Manhattan was no picnic, but the Magnum RT’s sleek and tranquil interior assuaged the stressful intensity aroused by urban traffic. Plush leather seats and smart aluminum detailing around the console and the dash are very inviting. An attractive and prominent screen which displays radio/audio/GPS Navigation data is the center of the pod and the focal point of the interior. Radio controls on the steering wheel are both pretty and practical. To say the least, the technologically savvy will be satisfied. The Magnum RT’s interior also boasts ample legroom, as the spacious backseat along with power driver and passenger seat-controls work to this end. Plentiful cargo space makes a trip to Costco for grocery shopping or a ski-weekend in Vermont viable. In spite of the Magnum’s seeming identity confusion, while sitting in the driver’s seat, one will find that this Dodge is unmistakably a car. Gripping the gear-shift is not only empowering, but the Magnum’s swift acceleration whisks the driver away and instantly transplants him/her into the role of pilot. This comes courtesy of the Hemi V-8 engine, which both the Magnum and the Chrysler 300C share. The new Hemi system is stirring up a lot of buzz in the automotive world. The 8-cylinder engine is commanding to be sure, but it is Dodge/Chrysler’s new Multi-Displacement System (MDS) that is really worth marveling at. When under a certain speed, four of the Hemi’s eight cylinders shut down so as to preserve fuel. This unique system means excellent fuel efficiency in comparison to other comparable 8-cylinder-engined, power-wielding vehicles. Dodge did well to capture the Hemi’s athleticism in the Magnum’s exterior appearance. Arguably the most muscular looking wagon on the market, the Magnum RT’s clean lines, 18-inch wheels, halogen headlamps and imposing grill make it a force to be reckoned with. The Magnum’s derriere, a smooth and graceful hatchback, completes the vehicle’s robust-tempered-with-refined look. There are only a couple of criticisms to note in regards to the new Dodge Magnum — first are the small windows. I found driving around Manhattan to be a bit difficult because the windshield seemed a bit cropped. While the Magnum’s clipped windows make for a cool exterior look, the result is greater blind spots and greater reliance on mirrors. My second criticism deals with the confusion of the Dodge Magnum. Perhaps because I’m used to driving either a huge SUV or a small car, my driving tastes are currently too black and white; but as I sat in the Dodge Magnum, I felt myself wanting it to fit into either of these traditional categorizations, and it really does not. The Magnum feels too massive to be a car and too graceful to be a Sports Utility Vehicle. Though this was a bit unsettling, I’m sure that with more hours logged behind the wheel, I could have gotten used to it.On the whole, the new Dodge Magnum offers a stellar and satisfying ride. Historically, it marks an important transition in terms of how auto-manufacturers as well as auto-consumers will regard station wagons in the future. In this respect, Dodge has set the bar high as the latter may come to expect sound technology and innovative design in the wagons to come. The 2005 Dodge Magnum is offered at three trim levels, a 2.7-liter V-6 SE model, a 3.5-liter V-6 SXT, and the top-of-the-line RT version – the 5.7-liter Hemi (available in standard Rear-Wheel-Drive or optional All-Wheel-Drive). Prices start at $22,695. Be sure to check it out.