The Dodge Hornet 2023 has landed in the compact SUV space. Dodge Hornet 2023 Interior and Exterior have a unique design. A hotly contested segment where it has to battle against the unfailing Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Dodge Hornet is ready to compete with RAV4 and CR-V. Built on the foundations of its Italian twin, the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet will come in two variants, with the star being the R/T plug-in hybrid. The other is the GT with a 2.0 turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine.
Dodge Hornet emphasizes that the 2023 Hornet is the “fastest, fastest, most powerful compact utility vehicle under $30,000 ($120 million).” Looking back, it’s familiar in drawing from the long-discontinued Nitro compact SUV and Jeep Liberty.
The Hornet PHEV R/T version boasts a total output of 285 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque from its 1.3-liter turbocharged machine and two electric motors. The powertrain also employs a six-speed automatic transmission and is capable of 30 miles of pure electric operation thanks to a 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery.
The Hornet R/T has four driving modes: Sport, Hybrid, Electric, and E-Save. There’s also an on-demand PowerShot feature that delivers a burst of 25 horsepower that cuts 0-60 mph acceleration time from 7.1 to 6.1 seconds. The Hornet GT is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine called the Hurricane4. It develops 265 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and is regulated by a nine-speed automatic transmission. Sport mode, which improves throttle response, tightens the steering and engages the limited-slip differential to allow the Hornet GT to reach 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds. Both the GT and R/T come standard with all-wheel drive.
The Hornet’s design is more car-like than crossover-like in execution. The front features the slotted grille graphic seen on Charger and Challenger with a raised hood with integrated heat extractors. The profile has flowing lines that incorporate traditional SUV cues such as wheel arches and underbody cladding. The rear of the vehicle has full-width LED taillights and an illuminated Dodge Rhombi logo in the center. GT models are equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the R/T mounts 18-inch wheels.
The Blacktop Package offers a blacked-out version that includes 18-inch black Abyss-style alloy wheels and glosses black badging, mirror caps and window surrounds. The cabin features the center console and head-up displays angled slightly towards the driver. The interior has a premium look with soft-touch material on the dash and center console and contrasting red stitching that flows throughout the black interior. Depending on trim, the interior is upholstered in synthetic leather, Alcantara, and leather, including an all-red leather option.
Other features include a racing-inspired flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated buttons to control driving modes and a large push-button ignition switch. The Hornet comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch center touchscreen. Android-based Uconnect 5 infotainment is standard and features Amazon Alexa for in-vehicle assistance. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is standard.
Factory driver and safety aids include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot assist and detection with rear crosswalk alerts. The Tech Pack offers more advanced assists, including Smart Cruise Control with stop-start capability, Lane Control and Traffic Jam Assist that keeps the car centered in the lane, and Traffic Sign Recognition and Driver Attention Assist that detects signs of fatigue.
While pricing will be announced later, Dodge says the standard Hornet GT will start at less than $30,000. The vehicle is being built alongside the Tonale at the Stellantis plant near Naples, Italy. Orders are open for the Hornet GT, which will arrive in dealerships later this year, while the Hornet R/T plug-in hybrid models will arrive in April 2023.