2008 Dodge Magnum
by Jim Prueter - 09/07

Bold, powerful wagon a blast to drive

If your recollection of the family station wagon is a huge slab-sided behemoth with fake wood applications and a chrome luggage rack, you’re in for a surprise

With a rod-and-custom appearance, the Dodge Magnum RT, which replaced the Intrepid in 2005, looks like it could be a styling project straight out of Discovery Channel’s hit show “American Chopper.” 

Magnum’s “chopped-top roofline”, huge 18” wheels, lowered stance, dark glass, long hood and bold Dodge truck grille all contribute to the muscular look of the performance “Mopars” of the 60’s and 70’s.  This is not your father’s station wagon!

The Dodge Magnum and its siblings the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 are all built at the same Brampton Ontario Canada assembly plant.    All three vehicles have enjoyed phenomenal sales success since their introduction. However, the Charger and 300 have significantly outsold the limited appeal Magnum, whose sales are off some 25 percent for 2007.

My recent test-drives involved two Magnums:  The upscale R/T powered by the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine and the high performance SRT8 with its 6.1-liter HEMI v-8. Here’s what stood out for me:  Both are big, classic “Detroit” muscle cars, good-looking and fun to drive.

Driving the Magnum RT about Phoenix and during a trip to Tucson, I turned many a head.  “That thang got a Hemi?” The answer is a giveaway; the Hemi badging appears on both front fenders, the rear tailgate and then there’s the telltale rumble from the twin chrome exhaust pipes.  Sweet!

The heralded Hemi V8 with 340 horsepower and tire shredding 390 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpms is all the buzz these days at Daimler-Chrysler.

Lest you worry about drinking gas faster than the pump can provide it, the Magnum comes with what Chrysler calls its Multi-Displacement System – MDS for short. The MDS is an unusual feature that shuts the fuel supply off so only four cylinders are employed at cruising speeds.  It happens seamlessly and I couldn’t tell when it activated or disengaged.  Fuel mileage is rated at 17-mpg city and 25-mpg highway. 

But not all Magnums are of the Hemi variety.  The base SE version is equipped with a 2.7-liter, 190-hp V-6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.  It’s nicely equipped with air conditioning, power windows and locks with remote entry, AM/FM/CD audio system, tilt-telescoping steering column and 17” tires.  All Magnums are rear-wheel drive standard with AWD optional on SXT and RT.  Fuel economy is rated at 21/28 (city/highway).

I drove a 2005 Magnum with the same 2.7 V-6 and the power seemed barely adequate.  I recommend the 3.5-liter V-6 at a minimum.

The SXT comes with a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 250 horsepower and uses the same four-speed transmission.  Fuel economy is rated at 19/27 (city/highway).  Added equipment for the base price includes ABS with brake assist, traction control and electronic stability control.  It also includes aluminum wheels, power driver’s seat and a cargo cover.  Because of the added safety features, I recommend skipping the SE in favor of the SXT or RT.

The RT is equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi and a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick.  The RT adds an additional 10 horsepower for a total of 350 hp. It also adds leather seating, 18” polished wheels, dual exhausts, fog lights, and a Boston Acoustics premium sound system to the standard equipment on the SXT.

Under the newly designed hood of the 2008 SRT8 is the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 delivering 425 horsepower and 420 pound feet of torque. It moves the Magnum from zero to 60 mph in just over 5-seconds and from zero to 100 in just 17-seconds.

The Magnum is built on a 120-inch wheelbase, nearly 7-inches longer than Intrepid.  The ride is firm but certainly not uncomfortable or annoying.  There’s power to spare with the Hemi, but Magnum doesn’t offer the sharpest handling.  There’s noticeable body lean when pushed into a sharp curve or corner, but it’s not bad given the Magnum’s beefy weight of 4142 pounds.  

The transmission is smooth and the huge four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are excellent.  Overall the driving experience is surprisingly refined given its relatively low price.

My R/T tester included the optional Road/Track Performance Group that includes side curtain and side-impact airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, performance steering and suspension, load leveling and height control, dual-zone climate control, heated power front seats, one-touch up-down power windows, massive 20-inch chrome wheels and performance tires, special red-lettered “R/T” badges, and extremely comfortable and supportive leather/suede bolstered performance seats.  The seats alone are worth the additional $2,950 option cost.

Inside, the Magnum has been updated for 2008.   Overall it’s simple yet attractive with four white faced dash gauges trimmed with a stainless trim ring.  All the knobs and controls were easy to use and adjust, but the radio was more complicated than necessary.  The dash is simple in appearance without looking cheap.

There’s a new center console and door trim panels that feature satin chrome bezels.  There’s also new cloth seat material.  Interior legroom is plentiful in both front and back.  Magnum does not offer third-row seating. 

Because of the sloping roofline, visibility out the rear side windows and narrow rear window is limited and takes some getting used to.  Most ingenious is the way the one-piece tailgate opens.  The top of the tailgate extends about two feet into the top, which allows you to stand close to the back of the car when opening it. 

For 2008, the signature Dodge crosshair front grille has been lowered and stretched horizontally creating a more aggressive look.  Chrome elements have been added to the front fascia and grille with extra detailing around the fog lamps. 

The SRT8 features a completely redesigned hood and black honeycomb grille  and includes a functional performance hood scoop.  I thought it looked terrific.  SRT8 is offered in four colors: black, red, silver and bright silver.

Performance and handling on the SRT8 is nothing short of wonderful. However, I found the five speed automatic transmission in both the R/T and SRT8 to be notchy with anything but sharp and precise shift points.  The transmission frequently hesitated or noisily shifted at the wrong times with a decided “clunk.”  Hopefully this isn’t consistent with all the automatics.  

Safety gear includes the expected airbags and seat belts, anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control and Brake Assist. Side and side curtain airbags are standard on R/T and SRT8 and optional on SE and SXT models.  The Magnum has not been crash tested.

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