Should You Take the Dodge Magnum Off-Road?
It may not be a proper SUV, but the Dodge Magnum offers plenty of power and traction for off-roading in a pinch.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The
Dodge Magnum
is a sport wagon that was produced from 2005 to 2008. It came with powerful engine options and a robust traction control system, making the Magnum a force to be reckoned with when taken off-road.With a minimum ground clearance of only 5.6 inches, you won’t want to make off-roading with a rear-wheel drive 2008 Dodge Magnum a habit, but available
all-wheel drive
models offer a 1-inch suspension lift and plenty of horsepower. Overall, the Dodge Magnum performs much better on rough terrain than an average car.Wondering just how much off-roading your 2008 Dodge Magnum can get away with? Join
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as we evaluate the Magnum’s off-road capabilities, and save on car insurance
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Can the Dodge Magnum go off-road?
It can if it needs to, but it’s no trail rider. If you want something with the capability of an SUV, you should buy an SUV, but if you’re looking for a sport wagon with a ton of power that can handle a bit of rougher terrain, the Magnum will definitely do the trick, especially when equipped with the appropriate tires.
Let’s take a look at the Magnum’s specs and evaluate its off-roading ability.
Ground clearance
This is the one where the Magnum is least impressive in terms of off-roading ability.
The Dodge Magnum’s standard minimum ground clearance is only 5.6 inches—not nearly enough to make off-road driving a habit. On rocky terrain, you’ll run the risk of high-centering your vehicle and damaging its undercarriage.
Most SUVs—and even many cars—will have higher ground clearances, giving them a better ability to drive over large, jutting obstacles in the terrain. Many modern crossovers and SUVs even have adaptive suspensions that can temporarily increase ground clearance as needed.
The AWD versions of the Dodge Magnum are much better equipped for off-roading, with a 1-inch suspension lift up to 6.6 inches of clearance. Usually, though, you want at least 8.8 inches of ground clearance for consistent off-roading.
Torque
Where the 2008 Dodge Magnum excels is in its power and traction. The base model’s 2.7-liter V6 engine can produce 190 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, the 3.5-liter V6 produces 250 pound-feet at 3,800 rpm, and the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 delivers an extra-impressive 390 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Torque is the measurement of traction produced by an engine. An engine that has good traction at low speeds has good low-end torque, making your vehicle more able to push itself up steep hills or through tough terrain, even at low speeds.
Tires
Of course, engine traction goes to waste if it isn’t delivered to wheels that can grip the driving surface. That’s what allows the vehicle to transfer that power through to the ground, propelling the vehicle forward.
For ideal off-roading ability, you’ll want to equip your Magnum with all-terrain-rated tires or winter tires for winter conditions. The SXT trim’s 17-inch P215/65R17 wheels are a fair size for the odd off-road moment, but the Magnum was never equipped with off-road-ready tires out of the factory.
Drivetrain
With three engines rated for 190, 250, and 350 horsepower, power will likely not be an issue for the Dodge Magnum. Only the250-horsepower and 350-horsepower engines are available with the AWD and suspension lift.
Off-road rating: Rough and Ready
Now that we’ve looked at the off-road-relevant specs for the 2008 Dodge Magnum, we’re ready to give it its very own
Jerry
-approved DIRT rating.Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWe’re giving the Dodge Magnum a tentative R rating—only the AWD models deserve this rating. RWD trims receive an I rating. That being said, the Dodge Magnum does well to compete with other sport wagons in offering fantastic cargo space and well above-average off-road capabilities.
A 2008 Dodge Magnum SXT with AWD goes for about $7,000 on the used market
The best off-road alternatives to the Dodge Magnum
If you’re interested in looking at other options, here are some top competitors that you can consider for on-and-off-roading purposes instead of the Dodge Magnum.
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | 2005 Nissan Frontier 4x4 | $2,000 | A proper SUV, and far cheaper than the Magnum. |
Best eco-friendly alternative | 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe | $27,400 | One of the best SUVs on the new market for affordability, capability, and fuel efficiency. |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | 2005 Dodge Dakota w/4WD | $6,000 | A proper off-road truck, much more equipped for off-road driving than any sport wagon. |
MORE: Dodge Dakota V6
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
No matter what you drive, if you plan on taking your vehicle on dangerous roads, it’s always a good idea to make sure that your car insurance policy is doing what you need it to do—basic liability insurance won’t do you very much good if you damage your vehicle on rocky terrain.
Luckily, you don’t need to worry about paying bucket-loads of money for additional car insurance coverage, because
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