Muscle wagons are the perfect marriage between high performance and practicality. They are the answer to the all-encompassing vehicle. It’s a car that can provide ultimate speed and fun without compromising practicality. Since the release of the RS2 Avant the Germans have been the king of the demographic. Chrysler-owned Dodge wanted in on the money and the Magnum wagon was the result.

The Dodge Magnum SRT8 was introduced in the mid-2000s during the height of the comeback of the American Muscle. Equipped with Dodge SRT’s newest Hemi engine, the wagon pumped out 425 raw American horsepower. Plus, room for a family of five and all of their luggage. This was an American performance machine that could easily stand tall against the iconic Audi RS6, even in the early 2000s!

Updated August 2022: We have updated this article with more information about the supercool Dodge Magnum SRT wagon and how you can get hold of this iconic yet forgotten performance wagon in 2022.

The Magnum SRT8 seemed like it was a rather desirable option. So why did its fame last only three years?!

RELATED: 10 Most Badass Performance Wagons That'll Cost You Pennies

Legendary 2006-2008 Dodge Magnum SRT8 HEMI V8-powered Station Wagon
BringaTrailer

Dodge released the Magnum for the model year of 2006. The name was a tribute to the 2-door coupe sold in the 1970s. Although a wagon, both come as a supplement to the Dodge Chargers available at the time. Keeping with the theme of the Mopar’s heritage.

The Magnum was Dodge’s answer to the sports wagon. The Mercedes-Benz sourced gearbox allowed for selectable five-speed shifting, giving the driver control of the all-new Hemi. Dodge had a Magnum to meet every buyer’s need for speed, with the SRT8 being the top dog.

Dodge’s Vice President of Marketing, Darryl Jackson, described the Magnum as “bold, powerful, street-smart and full of life… The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 hauls in more ways than one.” The puffed-out boxy exterior is very mid-2000s and may not age particularly well. A look that was blended between the Chargers, Magnums, and Chrysler 300s at the time.

 Dodge Magnum SRT8 engine bay view
Via: Mecum

Each was either refreshed or dropped off in Chrysler’s restructuring plans of 2008, locking them further into this period. The softened edges of the modern Charger have proven to be far more aesthetic than the brick shape of the time. Perhaps the demise of the SRT8-powered Magnum came from the three other available engine options.

Particularly when the Performance Group packaged R/T produced an impressive 350-hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. An average wagon shopper didn’t crave much more power, only the truly dedicated went for the monster 6.1-liter V8 with its 425 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

For the more casual driver, the Magnum had two V6 engines to choose from. The SE came with a 2.7-liter V6 engine, with 190 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. Or there was the larger 3.5-liter V6 in the SXT that had both 250 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque.

Dodge Magnum’s Final Year

2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 rear third quarter view
Via: Mecum

The year before it was discontinued the Magnum saw a proper facelift, making it far more aggressive and easy on the eyes. The 2008 model’s headlights were squared off, a functional hood was added to the SRT8, and the front fascia and grill were made to look more identical to the Charger and less than the Chrysler 300. Minor touches that did drastic improvements to the wagon’s overall figure.

The interior also received an update with a brand new center console and instrument panel cluster. Carbon fiber trimming was added to the SRT8’s door handles and steering wheel, along with a few other minor improvements.

Only 239 of the remodeled SRT8 were produced in 2008, making it a very limited car. The remodel is also easier on the eyes than its predecessors, begging the question, ‘is it going to be sought after in the future?’

RELATED: Ranking The Most Powerful Modern Muscle Cars

Dodge Got The Magnum SRT Timed Wrong

Dodge Magnum SRT8 side view
Via: Mecum

Even with the redesign and interior upgrade, it wasn’t enough to attract substantial buyers to the Magnum, let alone the SRT8. Dodge sold just over 30,000 Magnums in 2007 before deciding it was time to move on, only 239 of the refreshed and gnarly SRT8s were produced for the 2008 model year. The end of the 2000s saw a migration toward SUVs. General buyers loved sitting up tall and having more visibility.

Advertisers also went heavy into the idea that an SUV increased safety and accessibility. Consumers were convinced and the market for wagons suffered drastically. Although wagons still seemed to be holding on in Europe, Americans simply weren’t buying them. The Magnum was also forgotten due to the wide array of muscle cars that were introduced in one period.

Between the redesigned Mustang, followed by the comeback of the Camaro, and Dodge’s release of both the Charger and Challenger, it’s easy to see how the Magnum was overlooked. Particularly when the Charger also offered four doors and plenty of storage space. Only a select few would sacrifice weight and styling for the minimal gain in storage.

Power Wagons Are Losing Heat

Dodge Magnum SRT8 front view
Via: Mecum

It seems the wagon culture is growing, just look up #SaveTheWagon. Particularly thanks to the European market, German manufacturers are still making some incredible muscle wagons. But the American platter of wagons is not technically performance-oriented, except for the sinister RS6 Avant (which is again German!).

The loss of the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon set a bad precedent, but could you imagine if Dodge released a Hellcat Wagon?! We would stand overnight to get hands on one, but that looks to be confined to our imagination! Also getting hands on the classic Dodge Magnum SRT8 is a tough affair, but occasionally a bunch of these do come up on sale, like this lot we came across at Cargurus ranging from $20,000-48,000.

Sources: Stellantis North America, Dodge