The cargo capacity is listed as 27.2 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 71.6 cubic feet with them down, while the EPA total interior volume indicates 133.1 cubic feet. But those numbers don't sway buyers as much as their own eyes, so have a look. We did, and the cargo area looks wider, flatter, longer and easier to access than that of most SUVs. It's just not as tall, but how often do you stack loads to the ceiling? It's usually the length and width and flat floor that matter, and the Magnum excels by those criteria. As an added bonus, Dodge offers an optional cargo organizer that keeps grocery bags from toppling over and incorporates a nook designed for holding a one-gallon milk jug. If you intend to use your Magnum for a lot of cargo hauling, you may not want to pop for the upgraded sound system because is parks a monster subwoofer in the cargo area right behind the rear seat. It's not a compromise we'd be willing to make.
The back seat is very roomy, with only 10 percent less room than in the front seat, according to the SAE volume index. In people terms, the rear seat's measurements come within an inch of those of the front seat except in legroom, where the rear seat gives up just over an inch and a half to the front. The 60/40 split rear bench seats three people, but a wide, center armrest with cup holders drops down to make it more comfortable for two. There's plenty of head clearance despite the roofline, which does pose a minor visibility problem for the driver. Even so, the chopped-top proportions left us feeling a little claustrophobic in the back seats.
From the driver's seat, the roofline stretches out fairly far, making stoplights hard to see if you get too close.
The driver should have no problem finding a comfortable seating position. The steering wheel offers both tilt and telescope adjustments and power-adjustable pedals are available. Adjustable pedals can help drivers of small stature (petite women and Formula 1 drivers, for example) position themselves farther away from the airbag-equipped steering wheel, lessening the chance of airbag-related injuries.
Fabric covers the seats in the SE and SXT. Leather is optional in the SXT and it comes standard in the R/T and the SRT8. We found the regular seats generally supportive. The SRT8's deep-dish sport seats are fairly effective at keeping backsides in place during aggressive cornering, but more side bolstering would help keep smaller drivers from sliding side to side.
The four-spoke steering wheel is sharp, with cruise and sound control buttons. We really like the gauges; they are handsome and all business, with white backgrounds, black numbers and chrome trim rings. Dodge has remedied one of our objections to interior design for 2008. The cruise control stalk has moved from 11 o'clock to 4 o'clock, eliminating the annoying tendency to turn on the cruise control when you mean to signal a lane change.
The center stack is clean and tidy in black, with switches that are easy to click and knobs where knobs should be for the climate control and radio. The navigation system's screen displaces the stereo faceplate, with controls for both functions arrayed around the perimeter.
The newly available MyGIG radio is available in two iterations: the MyGIG Entertainment System and the MyGIG Multi-Media Infotainment System. Both have a 6.5-inch touchscreen and 20 gigabytes of hard drive space for songs and pictures, but the Multi-Media option includes a navigation system with real-time traffic and voice activation.
The center console is redesigned for 2008, with two cupholders in front of it instead of integrated into it. It is sized to hold most of the items you'd typically be carrying. The console is designed so the available rear DVD/TV entertainment screen pops out of it. This positions it for viewing between the front seats at just above knee level, and preserves the driver's view out the back window. When ordered with Sirius Backseat TV, the rear entertainment system has three channels, all aimed at kids: Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon. Two sets of headphones are provided, so front passengers can listen to Sirius radio while rear occupants watch the TV. With the car in Park, front passengers can watch TV on the MyGIG screen.
