Are Dodge magnums FWD?
Not universally. The Dodge Magnum name has been used for two distinct wagons with different drivetrains: the late-1990s Magnum (1998–2003) was primarily front-wheel drive with optional all‑wheel drive, while the 2005–2008 Magnum uses a rear‑wheel‑drive layout with optional all‑wheel drive. In short, one generation offered FWD with AWD as an option, the other was RWD with AWD as an option.
To understand the question in more detail, it’s important to separate the two generations and the platforms they rode. Each generation has its own drivetrain configuration, which affects whether a particular Dodge Magnum is FWD, RWD, or AWD depending on the model year and trim.
First generation (1998–2003)
Drivetrain overview for the LH-based Magnum:
- Front-wheel drive (FWD) was the standard configuration for most trims.
- All-wheel drive (AWD) was available as an option on certain models or configurations.
In practical terms, this generation offered FWD as the baseline, with AWD as a factory option on some variants.
Second generation (2005–2008)
Drivetrain overview for the LX-based Magnum:
- Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the standard configuration.
- All-wheel drive (AWD) was available on select models or trims.
For this generation, FWD was not offered; the lineup used RWD as the baseline with AWD available on certain versions.
Summary
Overall, the Dodge Magnum name has covered two generations with different drivetrain philosophies. The 1998–2003 model leaned on FWD with AWD optional, while the 2005–2008 model was built around RWD with AWD available. When shopping or researching, always verify the specific model year and trim to confirm the exact drivetrain configuration.
