Unidentical Twins

Station wagons, minivans, and SUVs have taken turns dominating the family-hauler scene, but what’s next? What will win the hearts, and bankbooks, of the next generation?

The two cars may be twins—with the same platform, engines, and transmissions—but they are far from identical. They both have ultramodern styling, but it’s as starkly different as the customers they are targeting.

With the cars, DaimlerChrysler returns to rear-wheel drive, counting on sophisticated traction-control devices to allay the winter apprehensions of Minnesota drivers who have been relying on front-wheel drive. For remaining skeptics—and I am among them—all-wheel drive is available. The 2.7 and 3.5 overhead-cam V6 engines of the lower- and middle-priced models work effectively, but the top-of-the-line 300C and Magnum RT feature the 340-horsepower pushrod HEMI V8, with enough power to tow a 3,800-pound trailer.

The 300C will compete with the Cadillac STS, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, and other cars in the $50,000 price range—even though it starts at a mere $23,920 for the base 300 and $34,820 for the top 300C. The Magnum is an even bigger bargain, starting at $22,495, with the RT HEMI base at $29,995.

Magnum’s aerodynamic front is centered on Dodge’s signature cross-hairs grille inherited from the big Ram trucks. Lower window sills pulled up high and a roof pulled down low leave a thin side-window opening that tapers even thinner at the rear. From the outside, it looks like some Southern California hot-rodder custom chopped the side pillars to lower the roof—but there’s no lack of headroom or outward visibility, because you sit 2.5 inches higher than in the Dodge Intrepid that it replaces. Also, the rear windows roll all the way down into the large rear doors. Beefier stabilizer bars in the front and rear and more responsive steering augment both top models, but all Magnums maintain the flexibility of traditional wagons. The load floor is removable and reversible, with hidden storage beneath it, and the flat surface can be expanded by folding down the rear seat. The rear lift gate is cut several inches into the roofline, cleverly creating an enormous opening to the stowage area (71.6 cubic feet when both rear seats are folded down).

The 300C takes the higher road to fashion, with a classic upright grille,  stylish headlights, and a comparatively blunt, squarish shape, featuring chrome luxury touches from the grille to the eighteen-inch wheels. The long-hood design replaces the popular cab-forward design of the Intrepid and 300M/Concorde, and wheels on both the Magnum and 300 are stretched out to the corners.