2008 Dodge Magnum

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By  Rex Roy, Editor

2008 Dodge Magnum SRT8
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 2008 DODGE MAGNUM STYLING | [8 out of 10]

Automobile: "For its third birthday, the Dodge Magnum gets a bit of cosmetic surgery"
Cars.com: "Its bold styling commands the road"
Car and Driver: "the updated Mag Wag gets a more aggressive front-end"

The 2008 Dodge Magnum has styling that will appeal to those longing for the good old days of big family station wagons--but the interior leaves something to be desired. This is the general consensus among reviews studied by TheCarConnection.com team when it comes to what Kelley Blue Book describes as "a station wagon on steroids with an edgy retro style"--the Dodge Magnum 2008.

Automobile reports that "for its third birthday, the [2008] Dodge Magnum gets a bit of cosmetic surgery, chiefly around the headlights, seeking to correct what Chrysler design chief Trevor Creed described as the Magnum's 'wide-eyed look.'" Edmunds adds that the "face-lifted 2008 Dodge Magnum continues to avoid the stodgy wagon mold, thanks to its specialized blend of sporty good looks." Cars.com praises the Magnum 2008 design: "Its bold styling commands the road...in a market crowded with conformity, [Dodge Magnum 2008 is] a welcome nonconformist."

The Dodge Magnum 2008's interior receives some mixed reactions, however. Motor Trend says "inside, the Magnum [2008] gets agate-color accent stitching, carbon-fiber leather-trim door handles, an improved grip-enhancing carbon-fiber leather-trim steering wheel," while Kelley Blue Book reports that "easy-to-read controls and silver-accented gauges give the interior a nice combination of sporty style and functionality." Nonetheless, ForbesAutos calls it a "cheap-looking interior."

Conclusion: The 2008 Dodge Magnum's interior disappoints, but the boldly retro shape is still appealing.

2008 DODGE MAGNUM PERFORMANCE | [8 out of 10]

Cars.com: "commanding power"
ConsumerGuide: "V6 feels tepid and requires lots of passing room"
Kelley Blue Book: "A throttle-junkie's dream"

Most reviews examined by TheCarConnection.com appreciate the 2008 Dodge Magnum’s power and poise—at least in HEMI-powered R/T and SRT8 versions.

ConsumerGuide reports that the 2008 Dodge Magnum SE "with the 2.7-liter V6 feels tepid and requires lots of passing room; Dodge says 11.3 seconds 0-60 mph. The 3.5 V6 is okay in town and has good passing punch." Edmunds says "the Magnum 2008's base V6 engine provides adequate power and a pleasant enough driving experience, but acceleration can be a bit sluggish off the line or under load." In the standard rear-drive setup, the V-6 is perfectly adequate. The all-wheel-drive system adds weight, and in the opinion of testers from TheCarConnection.com, the V-6 isn't quite powerful enough to keep the Magnum hustling with that option. Edmunds suggests "if you can't live with that...upgrade to either the more powerful V6 in the SXT or the V8 in the R/T."

The R/T models are powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that offers 340 horsepower and comes with a five-speed automatic and cylinder deactivation technology to improve fuel efficiency. All-wheel drive is available with the V-8 and also gets you 19-inch wheels standard, and with the HEMI, the extra weight of the all-wheel drive is inconsequential.
The 2008 Dodge Magnum R/T, which Kelley Blue Book describes as "a throttle junkie's dream," has as much power as you'd expect, but better handling than anticipated. "The R/T's 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 delivered commanding power, though you wouldn't think it while tooling around town...the accelerator takes its time to move things forward," writes Cars.com.

If you're lusting after a serious Boss Wagon that will trounce all manner of performance cars, Dodge offers an SRT8 version of the Magnum. It sports a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 and 425 horsepower.

Edmunds reports that the base Dodge Magnum 2008 "puts its power through an old-school four-speed automatic transmission, but all others are equipped with a modern five-speed automatic." Cars.com notes that the Dodge Magnum 2008 five-speed automatic "has AutoStick for manually selected gear changes [and] is standard on the all-wheel-drive SXT and both versions of the R/T."

ForbesAutos mentions that "the Magnum R/T engine includes the company's Multi-Displacement System, which deactivates half the cylinders under low to moderate throttle to save fuel." Cars.com reports the following fuel consumption figures from the EPA: 2.7-liter V-6, 21/28 mpg; 3.5-liter V-6, 19/27 mpg; 5.7-liter V-8, 17/25 mpg; and 6.1-liter V-8, 14/20 mpg.

ConsumerGuide observes 2008 Dodge Magnum’s "ride is generally smooth and composed, but rippled pavement triggers annoying jiggling, especially in V8 models with their firmer suspensions." Edmunds asserts that "handling is surprisingly composed on higher trim levels, and the hot-rod SRT8 is a downright blast to drive, with tons of torque, a sport-tuned suspension and bigger brakes that allow you to maneuver quickly through tight corners." Kelley Blue Book notes "all-wheel drive models have a higher ride height that doesn't appear to affect handling but creates a noticeable gap between the tires and the tops of the wheel arches." Cars.com reports that the Dodge Magnum 2008 brake pedal "felt a bit mushy, but it produced adequate stopping power," adding that "the suspension and braking improvements are worth the upgrade."

Conclusion: The 2008 Dodge Magnum performs the act of transportation in six-cylinder versions; the HEMI-powered models smoke (tires) and drink (fuel)--and are far more fun.

2008 DODGE MAGNUM COMFORT AND QUALITY | [7 out of 10]

Cars.com: "Drivers of any size should fit well in the Magnum"
ConsumerGuide: "Spacious...ample headroom and legroom
Car and Driver: "'upgrades' don't do much to bring it near the Honda/Toyota benchmark"

Occupants will not feel cramped aboard the 2008 Dodge Magnum, though interior materials are not as good as experts at TheCarConnection.com would like.

ForbesAutos describes the Dodge Magnum 2008 cabin as a "roomy and comfortable interior." According to Cars.com, "drivers of any size should fit well in the Magnum, as a tilt/telescoping steering wheel is standard, and many trim levels have power-adjustable seats and pedals." ConsumerGuide says the Dodge Magnum 2008 has "ample headroom and legroom, though AWD versions have a slightly narrower passenger footwell." This source adds the Magnum’s seats are "generously sized," but notes that but "flat cushions allow occupants to slide during aggressive cornering."

Storage and cargo space are fairly generous, but less than what you might find in other wagons, according to Cars.com: "behind the backseat is 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space, less than what most comparably priced wagons offer...the sloping rear window means full-size suitcases can't stand upright unless you drop the backseat." However, "fold the seats, and there's a respectable 71.6 cubic feet of cargo room." Edmunds notes "the rear liftgate swings up rather than out for easy access, and the Magnum [2008] offers an optional cargo organizer as well."

The 2008 Dodge Magnum falls short of expected quality of materials and assembly. Cars.com says that when "faced with classier cabins from GM, Toyota and even Hyundai, the Magnum's interior is drifting downstream. The center controls feel plasticky, and the window switches have discernable gaps where they meet the armrests." Car and Driver adds that the Dodge Magnum 2008 "interior features some minor upgrades, but honestly, after a quick glance inside, the 'upgrades' don't do much to bring it anywhere near the Honda/Toyota benchmark for material and build quality."

ConsumerGuide reports "noticeable roar from V6s during acceleration. V8s make throaty full-throttle growl--SRT8s sound like race cars--but are quiet enough in gentle cruising," adding that the wagon "suffers more road ruckus than 300 or Charger, mostly because of its open cargo area vs. a closed-off trunk."

Conclusion: The 2008 Dodge Magnum has ample wagon room and comfortable seats, but below-average materials.

2008 DODGE MAGNUM SAFETY | [7 out of 10]

NHTSA: Five stars, front impact protection; four stars, side impact protection and rollover resistance
Cars.com: "All trim levels include the mandatory front airbags, but side curtain airbags are optional"
Forbes Autos: "Narrow windows impair outward visibility"

The 2008 Dodge Magnum achieves good crash-test rankings, but some safety features are optional and its styling cuts down on visibility.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards the 2008 Dodge Magnum five out of five stars in protection during front-impact crashes and a respectable four stars for side impact protection and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not rated the Magnum.

Cars.com reports that "all trim levels include the mandatory front airbags, but side curtain airbags are optional.” However, "parents with small children will appreciate the [Magnum 2008] Latch child-seat anchors, which are installed in all three backseat positions."

Edmunds says "four-wheel disc brakes are standard on all Dodge Magnum 2008 models, and antilock brakes, traction control, stability control," while "power-adjustable pedals are optional on the base Dodge Magnum 2008 SE and standard on all other Magnums."

It is unusual to see many comments on visibility, but the 2008 Dodge Magnum has traded some outward sight for sleek looks. Kelley Blue Book complains "narrow windows and a big rear blind spot are also bothersome characteristics." ForbesAutos also notes "narrow windows impair outward visibility." Cars.com says that in addition to compromising luggage space, the low Dodge Magnum 2008 roofline causes visibility problems.

Conclusion: The 2008 Dodge Magnum performs well in crash tests, but not all versions get the latest safety gear.

2008 DODGE MAGNUM FEATURES | [9 out of 10]

Cars.com: "In ascending order, trim levels include the SE, SXT, R/T and high-performance SRT8"
ForbesAutos: "Power driver seat, Split folding rear seat, Radio data system"
Kelley Blue Book: "Standard features include air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary audio input"

The 2008 Dodge Magnum has plenty of choices when it comes to equipment, trims, and options packages.

Cars.com makes it easy for our experts at TheCarConnection.com by listing all Dodge Magnum 2008 trims "in ascending order"; these include "the SE, SXT, R/T and high-performance SRT8."

ForbesAutos reports "power driver seat, Split folding rear seat, Radio data system, Brake assist, Driver front impact airbag, Passenger front impact airbag, Electronic stability, Heated front seats, DVD-Audio" as Dodge Magnum 2008 standard equipment.

Kelley Blue Book states "standard features on the base 2008 Dodge Magnum SE include 17-inch wheels, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary audio input and four speakers, driver and passenger adjustable lumbar support, rear privacy glass, outside temperature display, four-wheel disc brakes, rear 60/40-split seat, remote keyless/illuminated entry, speed control and tilt and telescoping steering column."

Higher-level Magnum 2008 trims feature many desirable extras; ForbesAutos contends some of these options include "heated front seats [and] DVD-Audio" in addition to the safety equipment already mentioned.

Kelley Blue Book says that options "include rear-seat entertainment system, all-wheel drive, navigation, steering-wheel audio controls, six-disc CD/MP3 player, trailer towing package, remote engine start, automatic level control and SIRIUS Satellite Radio."

There are some performance upgrades as well; the 2008 Dodge Magnum Road/Track Performance Package "adds 20-inch chrome wheels, performance suspension and steering components and a performance exhaust good for an additional 10 horsepower."

Conclusion: The 2008 Dodge Magnum has a broad range of features that make base cars more usable and turn V-8 versions into street rods.