“Magnum” is an appellation the Chrysler Corporation has applied to a number of Dodge models over the years. The most recent Dodge Magnum was a large rear- and all-wheel drive station wagon introduced in 2004, for the 2005 model year. Based on the same platform as the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Charger and the Dodge Challenger, many of the pieces underpinning the Magnum were sourced from Mercedes-Benz.
Essentially a station wagon version of the Chrysler 300, the Magnum delivered excellent road holding, useful cargo capability, and plenty of power. Its charismatic styling attracted a number of buyers, particularly in urban markets. With Magnum, the Chrysler Corporation proved American car buyers would still go for a station wagon. It just needed to have some style.
Long, low, sleek, and unquestionably gangster looking; the Magnum had that indefinable quality known as presence. Introduced late in the run of the first generation of the LX models from Chrysler, the Magnum was only produced for four years before it was discontinued. However, in those four years, Magnum proved once and for all the station wagon could indeed be glam.
Introduced in 2004, as a 2005 model, there was but one generation of Magnum produced before the big wagon was axed. However, as a model name, “Dodge Magnum” goes all the way back to 1978. Of course, for the purposes of this article we will focus on the station wagon iteration of the car built between 2004 and 2008.