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:

• 

  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!

• 

  Not your ordinary Mommy Mobile - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By kiss this - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I used to drive a Nissan quest, and I had so many issues with the darn thing, I wanted something that would give me the cargo room, without the bulkiness of an SUV. It is so reliable and at the time of purchase the car facts rated it at a 93% and I have not been disappointed. Everything about this vehicle, screams reliability, youthfulness and practicality!

• 

  The best car Ive owned - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Dusty-1 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Im approaching 140K and Ive replaced the brakes and tires only once (due for both now). This car has a very smooth and quiet ride. I can only imagine that I will soon need to replace my battery, alternator, serpentine belt or something but knock on wood its been solid as a rock. Ive traveled 2600 miles pulling a trailer with two ATVs and multiple other long distance vacations and have had great luck. I will drive this one until it dies. If you change your oil and fluids regularly you should have no problems. My engine does not burn any oil and does not have any leaks to this point.

• 

  06 R/T AWD - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By alambra - September 22 - 2:00 am

  What an unbelievable machine. I have never driven anything like it. Perfectly engineered, meticulously designed. Simply perfect. Its time for Toyota to stop relentlessly pursuing perfection. Because Dodge got there first with the magnum rt. The power is unbelievable. Handling outstanding. And comfort is second to none. Ive been a mustang owner and lover for the past 15 years. But now, after driving this magnum hemi for less than a week, Im in love with it. With 82k miles it feels as if it just rolled off the assembly line and into my garage. Simply amazing automobile.

• 

  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.

• 

  Love it - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Tracy - August 4 - 10:34 am

  Purchased car it had under 8K miles. I love the hemi engine and almost everything about the car. I do not like Continental tires. I also did not like the difficulty of locating part for awd. Other than that I love my car. I will buy another

• 

  2006 Dodge Magnum SE - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Jnet_2006 - July 17 - 9:47 am

  I am very happy with my magnum. I was looking a car with a lot of room. My magnum is a car with the space of a SUV. It has the small V6 so the gas mileage is not all that bad. I would of never got a SUV with 51,000 miles for the great price I paid for my car. My 2006 Magnum is like new.

• 

  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.

• 

  I love my Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By donnakay - July 6 - 11:18 pm

  Grandma, me, had to have the Hemi. I was a little apprehensive at first. I have not had one problem with the 5 year old car. Lots of Power, looks sharp, handles well, doesnt overheat like my Camaro did. A/C is cold, power windows work well and dont leak. Very comfortable family car. I have driven it to Idaho twice now. 11 hour trip each way. No problems. I would definitely buy again.

• 

  My RED Magnum! - 2007 Dodge Magnum
  By My RED Magnum! - June 20 - 7:23 pm

  I Love my Magnum! It is great in the winter w/ the autostick and the gas mileage is not that bad either. Very roomy, much better w/ children than a CUV or Minivan! :0)