2006 Dodge Magnum SXT AWD (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

A five-speed automatic transmission was fitted to my tester. Use the Autostick function to call shifts yourself, and help the computer out with a little blipping of the throttle, and you'll be treated to great sound effects as the revs dial up and the gearbox catches the next lowest gear. It's a shame that this new platform has yet to house a manual transmission, though. Just about nothing has a manual gearbox anymore, and offering one in this machine would further differentiate it and win over enthusiasts. On that note, Dodge had better hope that Mazda doesn't release the Mazdaspeed6 in wagon form. In the meantime, the Autostick function can be a happy medium. It does let you choose your own gears, though the manual mode on the gate acts more as a suggestion box. Calling your own shift may have you waiting for over a full second before it engages. Select a certain gear and press the gas too hard, and a downshift occurs. Hold the throttle too hard and call for an upshift, and it ignores you. It's a bit moody though I wonder if it has anything to do with the AWD system, as I don't remember the 2WD version being so insubordinate.

It's not all bad news. When the shifts decide to occur, they are nearly imperceptible at low throttle inputs, very firm and defined at more aggressive throttle openings, and always precise. I'm fairly sure this is one of the best automatic transmissions going right now, so long as you leave it in 'drive'.

2006 Dodge Magnum SXT AWD (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

The cabin is a comfortable place to be. With the high beltline and short windows adding to the sleekness of the car's exterior appearance, coupled with the impression of sitting low inside the car with the dashboard up high in front of you, "station wagon" is the last thing on your mind while driving. Despite all of the room, and there is plenty of it everywhere, the Magnum delivers that sense of being encapsulated inside a much smaller coupe-like vehicle without banging your legs, head and shoulders on entrance and exit. Navigating while in reverse is a tad tricky as the rear window offers limited visibility and drivers would be best advised to brush up on their mirror-reading skills before attempting to go backwards into tight parking spaces. This backing up is the only time the Magnum shows its size from the inside, because you can easily get tunnel vision from looking out the rearview mirror.

My tester was fitted with a Boston Premium stereo system which has an in-dash six-disc changer, as well as MP3 compatibility and even a cassette deck to boot. The stereo is powerful and proved a worthy companion for long highway trips. Its clear sound and powerful sound delivery allow listeners to hear details in music often lost on lesser systems. Just as a note, by unanimous vote from all of my passengers, the Boston stereo in the Magnum greatly outperforms the Bose system in the Acura RL, which costs some $25,000 more.

There is a voice-activated system allowing one to navigate his or her cell phone by simply pressing a button in the rearview mirror, which is also equipped with a self-dimming feature. This is neat stuff--you can dial your friends or family by simply saying a few words, though I think the button which activates the system would be better placed on the steering wheel. The gauges are gorgeous white backlit Viper-inspired units, and the power adjustable seats are finished in velvety soft leather which is also heated. A sunroof leaves that magical wind in your hair, stars overhead feeling just a quick button press away. Panel gaps are kept to a minimum and the ever-present enemy, hard plastic, is used sparingly where you

2006 Dodge Magnum SXT AWD (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

aren't likely to touch it. Not only is the cabin very roomy, well-built and well-equipped, but also remarkably quiet and styled in a way that is elegant, clean and tidy. The rear hatch area is easy to customize, with storage bins off to the sides and an organizer under the floor to keep your ski wax, school books, gym bag and groceries from being strewn about. Best of all, the hatch is engineered to open almost straight up, and is hinged about halfway down the roofline. This means you won't accidentally get a "MAGNUM" badge in the face if opening it in a hurry.

All of this combines to deliver sensible, guilt-free American luxury at its finest--full of great, useful stuff you need and nothing you don't.