Overview & Reviews

The Dodge Magnum welcomed us to the American station wagon, Version 2.0. Most of us are familiar with the first version, the one that populated American roadways in the 1950s, '60s and '70s before being displaced by minivans and SUVs. Station wagon 2.0 was supposed to be a rebirth of sorts. The Dodge Magnum was intended to prove that the wagon could be cool again.

In terms of style, power and utility, there was nothing else quite like the Magnum. It attracted plenty of well-deserved attention because of its styling. Its long, low stance and flat tail end called to mind those wagons of decades past, but a rising beltline, tapering roof line, short overhangs, trucklike grille and prominent wheels gave it a contemporary and sporty appearance.

Sadly, Wagon Version 2.0 lived a short life. Apparently Dodge couldn't shake the Country Squire memories of Version 1.0, because it pulled the plug on the Magnum following 2008 due to slow sales. The Magnum still makes for an intriguing used car, though, particularly in V8-powered guise.

Most Recent Dodge Magnum

The Dodge Magnum was sold from 2005-'08. When last sighted at Dodge dealerships, the Magnum was available in four trim levels -- SE, SXT, R/T and SRT8 -- which provided increasing levels of standard equipment and performance features. For power, the Magnum SE was equipped with a 200-horsepower V6. It provided adequate acceleration at best. Most will prefer either the 250-hp V6 in the SXT or the R/T's 340-hp V8. The SRT8 had an even larger V8 good for 425 hp. An automatic transmission was standard with all four engines.

Most Magnums were rear-wheel drive, but Dodge offered all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions of the SXT and RT. Because of their added traction capabilities, these AWD wagons could serve well as an SUV alternative for consumers living in poor-weather climates. No Magnum was really meant for towing, however.

In reviews of the Dodge Magnum, our editors praised the vehicle's roomy and comfortable interior, useful cargo area and inspiring performance. Though their fuel economy is naturally on the low side, the V8-equipped models are well suited for both long-distance cruising and stoplight encounters. The Magnum SRT8, for instance, can clear the quarter-mile mark in fewer than 14 seconds. Handling capabilities are also surprisingly composed on the higher level trims.

When the Magnum debuted for the 2005 model year, the RWD SXT model had a four-speed automatic transmission, but it was upgraded to a five-speed unit later in 2006 (AWD SXTs always had a five-speed). The optional R/T Performance Group model that arrived for 2007 added 10 horses, and an inside-out update for 2008 included higher-quality cabin materials and a more upscale appearance.

User Reviews:

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  Second Dodge Magnum - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By King - May 23 - 9:35 pm

  Ive owned an SRT8 and now an RT. Wept when I sold the SRT8 and felt compelled to go back. Now have an 06 RT with SRT8 wheels ( wont work for an AWD). This is the perfect daddy wagon if your younger kids play sports. Its a high powered masculine minivan what car doesnt have stuff wear out or break but you gotta keep after these babies. My RT has over 150k mi and I think it will out live me. I know the HEMI will! It is a king on the road and folks move over when I am behind them and not even tailgating. Stock exhaust is a little too quiet for hellraising but perfect for the long ride home from the tournement with a load of ball players snoozing away with their gear safety Stowed in the rear. The car is ready for its next assignment and you can get a full mattress in the back with the seats folded down. Perfect for inexpensive overnight boat commissioning! And other stuff Im sure. This is the last true AMERICAN wagon even though it is made in Canada. There is nothing that looks like it -not anything that has the hidden utility, power, and speed. If you buy one make sure you service it. Put a K&n filter in it and dont panic if you get locked into park. Pull out your I phone and fix it yourself. This is a car that deserves to be preserved as part of the AMERICAN motoring history. Remember the commercial? Sports car driver looks over to the Magnum driver at the red light and asks "Hey whaddya got in there?" Magnum guy pauses and turns around the replies, "A ladder, surfboard, shovel,..." The daddywagon rocks.

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  magnums rock - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By turbododge2 - September 21 - 8:14 am

  I bought an 05 sxt awd. it now has 89.000 miles on it and I have never had a problem. keep up with the required maintenance and it should last a long time. I installed a mopar cold air intake from mopar performance and bought a predator tuner and did the 93 octane performance tune and what a difference. with the predator it is like a different car. you can change the axle ratio for quicker acceleration and the transmission to shift firmer. you can make the autostik so it will not shift for you so you can actually hold the gear to the full 6.500 rpms.. my magnum is black and gets a lot of compliments. I just replaced the sparkplugs myself and taking off the upper intake manifold is not to bad

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  clear coat shedding off all plastic bumbers - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By seamusjames - April 21 - 3:44 pm

  Now when I bought this car new it was sitting on the show room floor and was loaded with every option the 05 had listed. Yes I even had heated seats WOW! $43.000 American, my first house cost 23,000. Bought it for my wife with dreams of getting it after she grew tried of it. Still waiting..... I wash the car myself and about 2008 saw a small chip in the front paint and a small rust spot. Heck I thought it was a road stone which chip the clear coat. Now 6 years later the whole top of the front plastic where the hood closes is peeled. As I washed it I notice the back bumper is also faded and pealing. Anyone else have this? planetary gears replaced, nav toggle broke ect..

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  The beauty can mask anything - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By nbrandl - January 22 - 12:44 pm

  I am a mechanic, I bought my 2006 Dodge Magnum 3.5 High Output AWD a year ago with 54,600 miles on it. As always, I performed a full vehicle check on the car before purchasing it. I loved this car, it was fast fun, elegant, and provided everything I needed, at first. Since I bought it I have had numerous mechanical, programing, and electrical issues currently totaling to $4,500 dollars. Just to give an idea, at 70,000 miles my throttle just went out (this isnt included in what I have already spent) and I now have to replace the entire intake system which is going to cost around $2,200 (these costs dont include mechanics fees, which will potentially double the costs) *A battery cost $300

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  Me and my Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By jwdugar - October 17 - 12:56 am

  It was love at 1st sight. If a station wagon & the bat mobile had a child it would be the Dodge Magnum. Here I am 6 years & 100k miles later and all I love is marred because the car is made w/rubber and plastic screws. I never neglected maintenance and upkeep. Now the dash vents have come "unattached" to the dash, the toggle for the navigation controls has untoggled and to fix it I have to replace the entire radio system. The front carpet detaches, the rear vent blows sometimes, the undercarriage screws, being plastic have worn out and the under carriage "plate," also made of plastic has split at the screw holes and has to be replaced. Not a good long term vehicle.

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  Money Pit - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Chris - October 27 - 2:00 am

  I had many problems with my Magnum RT. Wheels started to corrode, transmission leaked, windshield wiper controls had to be replaced (all fixed under warranty). Had to replace factory tires at 31,000 miles, replaced a tie-rod at about 40,000 miles, and the brake rotors warped. Wiper controls were again acting up, and a noise started in the front suspension when I finally decided to trade it off. Loved the power and looks, but it had to go. Build and component quality was awful. This car turned me off of Dodge products.

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  Love My Silver Bullet! - 2007 Dodge Magnum
  By Bandwagon - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Got my 07 Magnum R/T in Sept. 10 with only 11,700 miles on it...NICE! Like a brand-new car flawless in and out. Runs like a scalded dog when I hop on the gas, and cruises nicely at both low and high speeds. Love it on the highway, love it on the country roads I drive 55 miles one way to work each day. Looks killer, nice rumble coming out of the pipes. I scored with a low-mileage car that had a great option package. The stereo is fantastic. Not as much space to haul my drums as my Buick LeSabre had, but I make do. My last three GM cars went over 255,000 miles, lets see how long this Dodge lasts. Wish it had a stick shift! This car is definitely a Big Dog even with an automatic. Lovin it!

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  Proud of my Magnum - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Joel - August 23 - 4:26 pm

  Man, this thing is huge - at 4500 lbs it weighs as much my wifes mininvan! And, it drives like it, too - not exactly "agile." I would have never payed $35,000 for a new one, but for $13,000 w/65,000 miles I think it was a steal, and its one of the coolest looking cars ever. Doesnt feel as fast as you might think it would, and gas mileage still not good even w/cylinder management. But, every time I look at it or smash the gas, it makes me smile. Oh, and itll hold quite a bit of crap, too.

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  BAD BATCH - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By PEARL - July 13 - 6:24 pm

  I downgraded from a dodge ram hemi to save gas when I bought this 08 magnum that only had 12k on it. Not even a month after I bought the car, it started to shut off in the middle of driving. I took it back to the dealer about 4 times and the computer never recorded anything. They looked at me like a dumb lady and all they did was reflash the computer. The tranny makes loud clunky noises when accelerating and slowing down and it bucks when it shouldnt. Car stations change from FM to AM on its own. The car shakes sometimes like it has a carburetor, which I know it doesnt have but I do know what it feels like when an old car wants to shut off. Maybe I got a bad car from the batch.

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  Magnum RT - - Almost perfect - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Rex - April 28 - 12:41 am

  Purchased Nov. 2004 -- the only car I have ever bought new off the lot. The car would be perfect if not for the slush-box tranny. Factory Contis were junk -- 13K miles. Replaced with Goodyear Assurance which are nearing their end at 40K mi. Have Michelin replacements. Issues: front-end clunk at steering extreme limits (I avoid cranking to the limits), alignment twice, popping noise in dash, unreliable rear window regulator, noisy power steering pump (even after replacement). I gather front-end issues are common. Overall, I have been pleased, but really wish there had been a manual tranny option.