2024 Dodge Hornet SUV

　　

2024 Dodge Hornet Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　The Dodge Hornet is an extra-small SUV that packs a particularly potent punch for a vehicle its size. Where other subcompact sport-utes might be lucky to exceed 150 horsepower, the Hornet makes a whopping 268 horsepower in base form. The Hornet is based on the same architecture that underpins the Alfa Romeo Tonale, and it inherits a similar plug-in hybrid drivetrain option pumping out 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque available in the new R/T model. All Hornet SUVs come standard with all-wheel drive and a healthy assortment of tech and convenience features.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Dodge Hornet GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$192/mo  for Hornet GT

　　Hornet GT

　　GT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $30,735 MSRPGT Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $35,735 MSRPR/T 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A) - $40,935 MSRPR/T Plus 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A) - $45,935 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Range and power

The 288-horsepower turbo-four plug-in hybrid drivetrain offered in the R/T and R/T Plus trims is capable of 0-60 mph in a manufacturer-estimated 5.6 seconds when you engage the PowerShot feature, which temporarily supplies the Hornet with an extra 30 hp for a limited time. In addition to granting extra power, the hybrid system also allows for up to 33 miles of range on battery power alone when set to Electric mode.

　　

Competitors to consider

Though it's slightly bigger and more powerful, the Dodge Hornet competes in the extra-small SUV category, which includes the Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, Volkswagen Taos, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Mazda CX-30. Given its significant horsepower advantage and higher price point, consumers might also cross-shop the Hornet against larger compact offerings such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue.

　　

Which Hornet does zzdcar recommend?

The Hornet comes pretty well equipped in base GT form, and it already has a horsepower advantage over the subcompact SUV competition. If you want more advanced safety features, opt for the Tech Pack to gain access to enhanced adaptive cruise control, lane centering, a 360-degree camera system and an automated parking system.

　　

Dodge Hornet models

Four trim levels of Dodge Hornet are available: GT, GT Plus, R/T and R/T Plus. GT and GT Plus models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. R/T and R/T Plus models receive a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid setup good for 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. All models come standard with all-wheel drive. Features for each trim include:

　　GT

　　Starts off the Hornet lineup with:

　　17-inch wheels Automatic headlights Rain-sensing windshield wipers Cloth and synthetic leather upholstery 60/40-split folding rear seats Dual-zone automatic climate control 12.3-inch digital instrument panel Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Six-speaker audio system Uconnect infotainment system with 10.25-inch touchscreenThe Hornet also comes with:

　　Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assistance (steers the Hornet back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Rear parking sensors Automatic high beamsGT Plus

　　Adds more creature comforts, including:

　　Remote start system Hands-free power liftgate Sunroof Leather upholstery Power-adjustable front seats Heated and ventilated front seats Heated steering wheel Wireless charging pad 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system Integrated navigation system R/T

　　Has a similar feature set as the GT but also comes with:

　　Plug-in hybrid powertrain with turbocharged four-cylinder engine 18-inch wheels Brembo performance front brakes Power-adjustable front seats Heated steering wheel Heated front seatsR/T Plus

　　The R/T Plus adds on the features from the GT Plus that weren't otherwise standard on the base R/T.

　　There are three option packages for the Hornet worth knowing about:

　　Blacktop package

　　Black-painted wheels and exterior trim Tech Pack

　　Enhanced version of the adaptive cruise control system Lane centering system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Hornet and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Front parking sensors Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)Track Pack

　　20-inch black-painted wheels Red-painted brake calipers Synthetic suede seat upholstery Adjustable suspension dampers (can be set to improve ride comfort or handling stability) Sport-style steering wheel

　　zzdcar Latest Dodge Hornet News

　　Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 Dodge Durango

　　This Is (Practically) the New Dodge Charger

　　Dodge's Last Last Call (Seriously): Durango SRT 392 Kicks Off the Last of the Hemi SUVs

　　zzdcar U-Drags: Audi RS Q8 vs. Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat