Yahoo Autos 2024 Dodge Hornet: For When You Must Buy American
Our Take on the 2024 Dodge Hornet
The 2024 Dodge Hornet represents Stellantis's approach to the ever-growing small SUV segment, complete with a bunch of modern tech, standard turbocharged power, and included all-wheel drive.
The Hornet is essentially just a lightly rebodied Alfa Romeo Tonale, with the two cars sharing the same architecture and a vast majority of the cabin design. Despite wearing a different face, the Hornet doesn't lose any charm, delivering slick, sharp looks that had onlookers doing double-takes as we drove by.
Those heads had to spin fast considering the Hornet's standard 268-hp turbo-four, which delivered impressive acceleration at both low and highway speeds. The nine-speed automatic in our GT Plus test car worked well most of the time, but we did experience some clunkiness at low-speed crawls during traffic and leaving stop lights.
We felt similarly about the interior, which presented as easy and simple to use but had some cheaper-feeling touch points. We did enjoy the big infotainment screen, digital gauge cluster, and sporty steering wheel, which has been lifted straight from the Tonale (save for the Dodge badge).
What's New
The 2024 Dodge Hornet gets a new trim level, the R/T, added alongside the base GT model. It's a plug-in hybrid with nearly 400 lb-ft of torque on tap and standard all-wheel-drive.
The Hornet entered Dodge's lineup for the 2023 model year, replacing the outgoing Journey and sitting below the three-row Dodge Durango. It competes with cars like the Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V, and the Hyundai Kona.
Pros
Simple, modern, easy-to-use cabin with lots of standard features
Slick exterior styling that works well with bright colors
Above average driving experience for this segment, complete with standard turbo power and AWD
Cons
Some parts of the exterior can feel cheap
Nine-speed automatic transmission can be clunky at slow speeds
Quality seems a step behind its Japanese rivals
Back seat is tight
Performance, Engine & Horsepower
The 2024 Dodge Hornet GT, the base model, comes standard with a turbocharged inline-four engine that makes 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Thrust gets to the wheels via a nine-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive.
Step up to the Hornet R/T, and you get a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that includes a 1.3-liter inline-four paired to an electric motor, a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. Combined output is 288 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.
Dodge Hornet 0-60
The base motor delivers enough oomph to sprint the Hornet to 60 mph in an estimated 6.5 seconds. Upgrade to the PHEV and you're looking at a 0-60 time in the mid five-second range. Not bad for something that likely weighs over two tons.
Features & Specs
The 2024 Dodge Hornet is packed with a generous amount of standard features, including all-wheel drive and turbocharged power. Inside you'll find a 10.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto paired to a digital gauge cluster display and dual-zone automatic climate control. There's also 17-inch aluminum wheels and rain-sensing wipers.
Our tester came included with the Blacktop package, which adds black exterior trim and black-painted 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Tech pack adds adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, drowsy driver detection, and parking assist.
MPG/Range
The base 2024 Dodge Hornet GT is rated by the EPA at 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, for a combined 24 mpg. With a tank size of 13.5 gallons, total estimated range is 324 miles per fill-up.
The EPA has yet to release estimates for the 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV, but says the car can go up to 30 miles on purely electric power, and up to 360 miles when the gas engine kicks in.
