The list of small SUVs is expanding rapidly, but while most are designed for city living or on a budget, few are focused on spirited driving, and even fewer combine performance with electrified powertrains. Meet the all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet, offering buyers the choice of a turbocharged petrol engine or a plug-in hybrid model, promising sportier driving dynamics in both.
The Hornet will be the first compact SUV and PHEV in Dodge’s current lineup, just below the midsize Durango SUV. After launching the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale in February, he shares his foundation as well as much of his exterior design and technology. (Alfa Romeo and Dodge are sub-brands of parent company Stellantis.)
The 2023 Hornet has a unique front end, headlights, and hood, but other than those features, the SUV is very similar to the Tonale. It has a similar shape and shared sheet metal, including on the doors and roof. Exterior elements such as the hood-integrated radiator and grille hint at the performance of this small SUV. GT models have a matte black lower fascia and 17-inch alloy wheels, while the R/T has a painted fascia, integrated twin tailpipes and 18-inch graphite gray alloy wheels. Both options have standard LED headlights, as well as a red taillight signature stripe and rear-lit Dodge emblems. The Hornet badge completes the look and continues the storied Dodge legacy.
Dodge says the Hornet’s interior is designed to be driver-focused and provide visual cues about the SUV’s performance. Controls and displays on the center console are angled towards the driver, while controls such as sport mode and hybrid mode (the latter specific to R/T) are built into the car’s flat steering wheel.
Standard materials on the GT and R/T include a combination of cloth and leatherette upholstery, and optional racing-style leather or Alcantara seats; red stitching is standard on all models. Top GT Plus and R/T Plus versions get standard leather upholstery; red leather is optional. In addition, two packages will be available: Blacktop adds 18-inch black alloy wheels and glossy black exterior trim, while the Track Pack comes with 20-inch wheels, red Brembo brake calipers and special package badges on the seats.
Like the Tonale, the Hornet offers two drivetrains: the base GT engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 265 hp. When the car’s available sport mode is activated, Dodge estimates that the GT’s top speed is 140 mph and the 0-60 mph time is 6.5 seconds.
The plug-in hybrid R/T replaces the base engine and transmission with a 1.3-liter turbo engine paired with a 90 kW electric motor, a 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery and a six-speed automatic transmission; design power 285 hp torque. Dodge estimates that the R/T offers more than 30 miles of all-electric range and can be fully charged at level 2 in about 2.5 hours. All-wheel drive is standard on both models, but the R/T all-wheel drive system boosts performance by automatically distributing power between the SUV’s engine and the electric motor for instant torque and optimal traction. The R/T has an estimated 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 128 mph.
According to Dodge, in addition to the sport mode (also standard on GTs), the R/T has a PowerShot feature that adds 25 horsepower in 15 seconds and cuts time 0-60 per second when activated. However, when fuel efficiency is the primary goal, R/T drivers can choose from three hybrid modes: Hybrid, Electric and E-Save. Similar to other Stellantis PHEV vehicles, the Hybrid uses both gas and electricity, while the Electric only uses electricity, and the E-Save only uses the internal combustion engine to conserve battery life.
Standard features on the R/T and GT models include frequency-selective damping dampers for optimal handling and ride comfort, dynamic torque distribution, and independent front and rear suspension for improved cornering. The R/T is fitted with standard Brembo front brake calipers and a regenerative braking system. It also features chassis modifications to optimize weight distribution and handling.
Not only does the Hornet look similar to the Tonale, its specs and safety features also look familiar. A 12.3-inch customizable digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen are standard on the Stellantis Uconnect 5 system, which supports wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa. Wireless phone charging and a 14-speaker premium Harman Kardon audio system are available.
Hornet’s standard safety package includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot warning with rear cross traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Available advanced driver assistance features include Level 2 semi-autonomous features with adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist and lane center steering stop. An advanced parking assist system and a 360-degree camera system are optional.
Buyers can order the 2023 Dodge Hornet starting Wednesday; the base GT is expected to go on sale in December and the R/T in spring 2023; both options will be available in the top-end Plus package.
While the brand hasn’t revealed pricing, it does say the base GT will cost less than $30,000. It remains to be seen how the Hornet will perform against the likes of the Hyundai Kona N, Lexus UX, Mazda CX-30 and more. The 276-horsepower Kona N and the 250-horsepower CX-30 2.5 Turbo offer comparable performance specs, while a similarly sized UX plug-in can rival the R/T in terms of efficiency, albeit with significantly less power (181 hp .).
The base GT should at least cost less than most of its competitors, with the 2022 Kona N starting at $35,495, the 2022 CX-30 2.5T starting at $31,775, and the UX 250h starting at $34,775 (prices include destination). Alfa Romeo Tonale prices will be announced by the end of 2022.
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Post time: Aug-17-2022