Dodge Hornet
The Dodge Hornet is a compact crossover SUV that aims to add some spice to what’s typically a fairly mundane category of vehicles. Its sharp handling and potent acceleration give it an edge against a number of rivals that prioritize more practical matters, such as fuel efficiency and cargo space. Those are also some of the areas where the Hornet falters, unfortunately. While it has vivacious driving dynamics, the Hornet has a cramped second row, a relatively high thirst for fuel, and below-average trunk volume. But if driving excitement is a top priority, the Hornet packs plenty of appeal.
Explore the evolution of the Dodge Hornet
Get our expert take on used Dodge Hornet models, or view year-by-year changes.
First generation Dodge Hornet
Unlike a number of key competitors, the Dodge Hornet comes standard with all-wheel drive. This added grip is something many SUV shoppers want most of all, and it’s usually an extra-cost option. Under the hood is a punchy turbocharged four-cylinder that gets the Hornet from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds. Extra-sharp handling is one of the main attractions here: The Hornet navigates corners with ease and even supplies some driver engagement, plus it’s equally adept at dicing with urban traffic. For even more pep, there is a plug-in hybrid variant called the Hornet R/T. It has the added bonus of providing more power and forward thrust, along with 33 miles of electric-only driving range
.Less appealing are the Hornet’s thirst for fuel and its cramped second-row accommodations. You can get a couple of adults back there if necessary, but anything other than a short trip would be pretty uncomfortable. On the plus side, Dodge equips the Hornet with a substantial amount of standard features. These include a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, wireless smartphone connectivity, Amazon Alexa, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more.
Model highlights
Standard turbocharged four-cylinder
Standard all-wheel drive
Available plug-in hybrid drivetrain (starting in 2024)
Wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto®
Amazon Alexa
10.2-inch touchscreen
12.3-inch digital instrument display
Blind-spot monitoring
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2023 - present
2025 Dodge Hornet
2024 Dodge Hornet
2023 Dodge Hornet
Nick Kurczewski has been writing about cars for more than 20 years, and his enthusiasm for journalism has led him to cover auto-related stories around the world. From blasting down the German autobahn to covering every major auto show, his stories have appeared in the New York Times, Car and Driver, U.S. News & World Report, Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com and the New York Daily News, where he served as head editor. Having once aspired to be a Formula One racer, Nick discovered sharing his passion for cars as a journalist is just as thrilling as dreaming of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.
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