Dodge Magnum Review

What the reviewers like:
Muscle-car performance combined with a spacious interior make the 2008 Dodge Magnum wagon a blend of pleasure and practicality, reviewers say. Stick with the Dodge Magnum's base engine, and you'll get more power than similarly priced wagons without completely sacrificing fuel economy. Testers say the Dodge Magnum wagon is a lot of car for the price.

What the reviewers don't like:
More than one tester finds the 2008 Dodge Magnum wagon's low roofline and several blind spots bothersome. Fuel economy suffers with the optional ramped-up engines or all-wheel-drive. Experts that focus on reliability – not the Dodge Magnum's strong suit – are less impressed with the Dodge Magnum than reviewers who concentrate on its fun factor.

EPA fuel economy estimate: 13 to 18 mpg city, 18 to 26 mpg highway, depending on engine, transmission and all-wheel-drive

Dodge Magnum review highlights

Although reviewers largely adored the Dodge Magnum wagon, buyers largely ignored it. As a result of the poor sales, 2008 is its final model year. Testers at driving-enthusiast magazines still can't get enough of the Dodge Magnum; it's one of the two wagons most often recommended in these reviews, along with the BMW 3-Series luxury wagon (*est. $34,200 to $36,100). The Dodge Magnum's power and performance are unique among midpriced wagons, matching that of a luxury wagon like the BMW for thousands less, experts say. However, the Dodge Magnum wagon delivers its power in a hard-angled, muscle-bound exterior that reviews say bears little resemblance to a refined luxury wagon. Reviewers note that the Dodge Magnum is one of the roomiest wagons you can buy at any price, edging out the highly rated (and still quite roomy) Subaru Outback (*est. $21,995 to $32,195), a close midpriced competitor. But all-wheel-drive is an extra-cost option on the Dodge Magnum, unlike the standard all-wheel-drive Subaru Outback. And the Dodge Magnum wagon's pros can also be its cons: Its distinctive low roofline causes visibility problems, reviewers say, and its powerful engines are fuel-thirsty. The 2008 Dodge Magnum's base engine posts 21 mpg in mixed driving – comparable to the Subaru Outback, BMW 3-Series and other similarly sized wagons – but that's without the Dodge Magnum's optional all-wheel-drive..Overall reliability is a bit below average.

Reviewers compare the Dodge Magnum wagon with powerful luxury cars – they say it drives like those models – as well as with other midpriced wagons, such as the Subaru Outback. ConsumerGuide.com ranks the Dodge Magnum wagon a "Best Buy" among large cars, and KBB.com ranks it at the top of the wagon/hatchback category. Edmunds.com rates the Magnum its "Editors' Most Wanted" wagon under $30,000. Comparative reviews at BusinessWeek and Car and Driver concentrate on the Dodge Magnum SRT8, a souped-up version of the already high-powered Magnum.

Also see full report: Station Wagons

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Guide.com
2008 Dodge Magnum Full Review
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Dec. 13, 2007

ConsumerGuide.com rates the 2008 Dodge Magnum a "Best Buy." The Dodge Magnum wagon rides and handles well, and it provides plenty of passenger and cargo room, the review notes. But depending which version you pick, you might have to trade fuel economy for good acceleration or vice versa.

2. KBB.com
2008 Dodge Magnum
Editors of KBB.com

The 2008 Dodge Magnum makes the "Recommended Shopping List" for hatchbacks and wagons at KBB.com, the online home of Kelley Blue Book. The muscle-car Dodge Magnum with optional all-wheel-drive can do anything an SUV can do – except provide very high ground clearance, the review says – while handling like a sport sedan.

3. Business Week
>> Details/Subscribe
Best Wagons: Fastest Domestic
Matt Vella
Jul-07

BusinessWeek.com names the high-powered Dodge Magnum SRT8 "Fastest Domestic Wagon," noting it provides all the muscle of a luxury wagon at less than half the price. This review includes pricing and fuel consumption data.

4. Car and Driver
>> Details/Subscribe
2008 Dodge Magnum Review
Editors of Car and Driver

The Dodge Magnum SRT8 scores the highest among 2008 wagons tested at Car and Driver, with its base version not far behind. No competitor can offer the Dodge Magnum SRT8's "big power, reverberating thunder, and long, lurid burnout stripes at your command," the review notes, and even the base version "oozes with swagger." Car and Driver criticizes the Dodge Magnum's thirsty fuel consumption and blind spots.

5. Edmunds.com
Wagon Under $30,000 winner: 2007 Dodge Magnum
Editors of Edmunds.com

The 2007 Dodge Magnum earned a spot on Edmunds.com's Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles list for both 2006 and 2007, and the model hasn't changed much for 2008. The Dodge Magnum combines practicality with performance, according to this review.

Also see full report: Station Wagons