Dodge Magnum

See the Dodge Magnum (B-body) entry for more information about the first Magnum model.

The Dodge Magnum name has been used on a number of different Dodge automobiles. The most recent is a large rear wheel drive station wagon introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. This new Magnum is Dodge's first car to use the new Chrysler LX platform, shared with the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger. Previously, the Dodge Magnum model name had been used from 1978 to 1979 for a large coupe in the United States (see the Dodge Magnum (B-body) entry for more information on that model). In Brazil, the Magnum name was a version of their Plymouth Valiant from 1979 to 1981. In Mexico, the Magnum was a K-car from 1983 to 1990.

In November 2007, Chrysler LLC announced that the 2008 model year will be the Magnum's final year of production. At this writing there is no replacement slated for the Magnum.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Dodge Magnum Review.

Styles and Major Options
The Magnum is available in one of four trims: the Base model, the SXT, the RT, and the SRT8. The Base model includes the fewest standard features and lacks some of the safety equipment found standard on the other trims, like anti-lock brakes and traction control. It also is the only trim that operates on a 4-speed automatic transmission and which offers an optional engine upgrade. Some of the standout features for each trim include:

Base model
 * 2.7L 200hp V6 engine
 * Available 3.5L 250hp V6 engine
 * 4-speed automatic transmission
 * Rear wheel drive
 * 17" steel wheels
 * Cloth seating trim
 * Manual front air conditioning
 * 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system
 * Cruise control
 * Telescopic tilt steering wheel
 * Power windows, locks, mirrors

SXT

Adds to or replace Base features with:
 * 3.5L 250hp V6 engine
 * 5-speed AutoStick automatic transmission
 * Automatic full-time all wheel drive
 * Permanent locking hub control
 * Touring suspension
 * 18" machined alloy wheels
 * 8-way power driver's front bucket seat
 * Leather/metal-look shift knob

RT

Adds to or replaces SXT features with:
 * 5.7L 350hp V8 engine
 * Dual stainless steel exhaust with chrome finish
 * Leather seating trim
 * Leather/metal-look shift knob and steering wheel
 * 6-speaker Boston Acoustics AM/FM/SIRIUS/CD audio system
 * Power adjustable pedals

SRT8

Adds to or replaces RT features with:
 * 6.1L 420hp V8 engine
 * Rear wheel drive
 * Sport suspension
 * Brembo brakes
 * 20" polished alloy wheels
 * 8-way power front bucket seats
 * Simulated suede/leather seating trim
 * 6-speaker Boston Acoustics AM/FM/SIRIUS/6CD-changer audio system
 * HomeLink wireless control system

Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Dodge Magnum can be found at CarsDirect.

Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Reliability
Consumer Reports states that the 2006 Magnum's "first-year reliability is average."


 * RECALL ALERT: On Nov 7, 2008 Dodge issued a recall alert affecting 20,283 MY 2006-2009 Charger and Magnum (including 150 sold to Kuwait) Interceptors due to the column shifters the column shifter which "may become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket and cause an incorrect transmission gearshift position display." This may cause unintended acceleration if the car is situated in the wrong gear.

Safety
The Magnum received high marks in safety tests carried out by the NHTSA. For rollover and front side-impact crash tests, it earned 4-Star ratings, and for rear side-impact and all front-impact crash tests, it earned 5-Star ratings. With the exception of the Base model, all of the following safety equipment can be found standard on all trims of the Magnum:
 * ABS and driveline traction control
 * Electronic stability control
 * Front and rear anti-roll bars
 * Four wheel anti-lock brakes
 * Driver/passenger front-impact airbags
 * Side impact bars

Colors
The 2007 Magnum is available in a large range of colors, a full list of which is viewable at CarsDirect.com. Some of the possible combinations include:

Exterior
 * Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat
 * Brilliant Black Crystal Pearlcoat
 * Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat
 * Steel Blue Metallic Clearcoat
 * Stone White Clearcoat
 * Torred

Interior
 * Dark Slate Gray/Light Graystone
 * Dark/Light Slate Gray

Main Competitors

 * Mazda Mazda6
 * Volkswagen Passat
 * Honda Accord
 * Toyota Camry
 * Hyundai Sonata
 * Buick Lucerne
 * Nissan Maxima

Hybrid Models
There are no hybrid versions of the Magnum currently in production.

Unique Attributes
This car has a "cool" factor that young and old seem to have no problem relating to. Baby boomers love the retro styling, while Gen-xers dig the cool low-rider look of the gun-slit windows. The best part of this cool factor, is the vehicle's utility. One need not feel guilty in buying such a narly looking beast, since mom is kept happy by the cavernous luggage capacity, and the rear-seat legroom useful for placating those growing teenagers on long trips. This car allows the minivan crowd to be cool once again.

Resale Values
According to Kelley Blue Book, "The Magnum is projected to retain a better-than-average residual value, with the base V6 model holding 55 percent of its value after 24 months and the all-wheel drive R/T holding 59 percent. That's on par with the Volvo V70 series, but not as good as the Passat 4MOTION V6." The real worth of this vehicle on the resale market will not be known until twenty years from now, when the hot-rodders start to get there hands on them and drive their values through the roof. The Magnum will be a collector--especially considering the limited, but not too limited, four-year production run. Mechanicals will not be hard to come by either, since HEMI drivetrains are available on a plethora of other RWD Chrysler products which continue to be produced in large numbers.

Criticisms

 * "If significant ground clearance is a part of your all-wheel-drive demands, the Magnum is no match for a true SUV. Narrow windows and a big rear blind spot are also bothersome characteristics." - Kelley Blue Book

Current Generation: (2005–Present)
The Magnum name was revived in 2004 as a 2005 station wagon on Chrysler's LX platform. This is Dodge's first station wagon since the discontinuation of the Dodge Colt wagon in 1991. It is also the first full-size American station wagon produced since the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Caprice/Buick Roadmaster Estate wagons in 1996, unlike its rival, the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx.

The Dodge Magnum is a station wagon version of the Chrysler 300, with minor cosmetic changes.

The Magnum has four engine options, the SE features the 190 hp 2.7 L LH V6, the SXT has the 250 hp 3.5 L V6, and the RT has the new 5.7 L Hemi V8. The SRT-8 has a 425 hp 6.1 L Hemi engine.

The Magnum is available with all wheel drive on SXT and RT models. The AWD SXT and the RT use a Mercedes-Benz-derived 5-speed automatic transmission, while all other models use a four-speed automatic. With this addition, resemblance to the discontinued AMC Eagle must be noted.

Like the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, the Magnum was a stunning success for the company, easily outselling its predecessor, the Dodge Intrepid. Dodge has announced plans for the Magnum to go on sale as a police variant to compete against the Ford Crown Victoria. Available only to law enforcement, emergency agencies, and government agencies, the vehicle will have the SXT's V6 as a base motor and the Hemi as an option, along with police-specific options such as a steering-column mounted shifter, deactivated interior rear windows and locks, and bulletproof glass between the first and second rows of seats and the cargo area. The Magnum is built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

The Magnum was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2005.

SRT-8
For 2006, an SRT-8 version was produced. Like the 300C SRT-8, it features the new 6.1 L Hemi engine, which produces 425 hp (317 kW). 20" wheels, firmer suspension, bigger brakes, new lower-body treatment, and a revised front and rear-fascia completes the transformation. The SRT-8 debuted at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show.  The SRT-8 was named "Best New Modern Muscle Car" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year contest.

See the separate Dodge Magnum SRT8 page for more information.

Worldwide
Brazil In Brazil, the Plymouth Valiant/Dodge Dart continued in production until 1981. For the last three years, a 2-door version was sold as the Magnum, while the 4-door was the Chrysler LeBaron, Dodge Dart, and Dodge Charger RT.

Mexico The same Brazilian Valiant derivative was sold in Mexico. 1983 saw the introduction of the K car Magnum; this version stayed in production until 1990.

Design quirks and oddities

 * In the 2005 film The Island, the mercenary team led by Albert Laurent (Djimon Hounsou) drives Dodge Magnums.
 * The 2005 song Don't Cha by Pussycat Dolls features Busta Rhymes rapping about the Dodge Magnum on the third verse of the song.