2023 Dodge Hornet GT Plus AWD
Class: Compact Crossover
Colour: Blue Bayou
Miles pushed: 128
CG Report CardRoom and ComfortBPower and PerformanceB+Match and FinishB+Gasoline EconomyBValueB+Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup.Massive & Tall ComfortBig GuyBTall GuyBBig & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester.Drivetrain Engine Specs266-horsepower turbochargedEngine Type4-cylinderTransmission9-speed automaticDrive WheelsAWD
Noticed gas economic system: 23.1 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 21/29/24 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gasoline sort: Common gasoline
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base worth: $34,995 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($495), GT Blacktop Bundle ($1995), Tech Pack Plus ($2245), sunroof delete credit score (-$615)
Worth as examined: $40,710
Fast Hits
The nice: loads of energy, enjoyable to drive
The great: Comfy front-row seating, upscale cabin trim
The not so good: Engine sounds crude, subpar experience high quality
Tom Appel:
For those who’re uncomfortable with change, this may be a foul time to go to a Dodge dealership. The storied MOPAR model, which reinvented itself as a performance-car maker earlier this century, is now, once more, reworking itself.
There are two huge tales right here. First, the Charger and Challenger high-performance sedan and coupe are being discontinued. The massive rear-drive vehicles—principally powered by variations of the maker’s “Hemi” V8 engine, are being sunsetted as week converse, and won’t return for 2024. Dodge has teased battery-powered replacements for the muscle-car duo, however agency plans haven’t been confirmed.
Observe that Chrysler’s mechanically associated 300 giant sedan can also be going away.
For all intents and functions, it was the Charger and Challenger that outlined Dodge these previous twenty years, and their passing leaves a big gap within the model lineup.
This leaves the Durango giant crossover as the one carryover Dodge mannequin for 2024. And whereas the Durango is, by most accounts, a stable car, it doesn’t promote in important quantity, and doesn’t actually do a lot to bolster the Dodge model—and it definitely can’t carry it. That stated, the Durango could be outfitted with some critical high-performance stuff, in order that’s one thing.
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Because the out-going vehicles accounted for greater than 70 % of Dodge U.S. gross sales in 2022, it‘s clear that the model is in want of a high-volume car to maintain the patron site visitors pumping via showrooms. It additionally wants a car true to the Dodge-performance “perspective.” The reply? Meet the 2024 Dodge Hornet.
A compact crossover, the Hornet provides Dodge an providing in an enormous market section during which it has not performed because the Journey was discontinued after the 2020 mannequin yr. In contrast to the Journey, the Hornet just isn’t obtainable with three seating rows. Additionally, in contrast to the Journey, the Hornet is designed to be enjoyable to drive. Extra on that in a second…
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The Hornet relies on guardian firm Stellantis’ “Small Huge” structure. The identical structure serves as a platform for the sporty, compact Alfa Romeo Tonale, and the common-or-garden Jeep Compass. And at 178 inches lengthy, the Hornet is available in a little bit smaller than the Honda CR-V (184 inches) and the Toyota RAV4 (180 inches.)
However what Hornet is lacking by way of measurement and cabin quantity, it makes up for below the hood. For 2023, the one engine obtainable for the brand new Dodge crossover is a 268-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4. A 9-speed computerized is the usual and solely transmission. For 2024 a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model sporting 288 horsepower comes on-line. The PHEV guarantees to be each quicker and extra environment friendly than the Hornets outfitted with the usual drivetrain.
At launch, Hornet is obtainable in two trim ranges: GT and GT Plus. The GT begins round $33,000 and comes fairly nicely outfitted. The GT Plus begins round $37,000, and provides, amongst different issues, leather-based seating surfaces, heated and ventilated reminiscence entrance seats, premium Harmon Kardon audio, navigation system, LED headlamps, and a sunroof. The PHEV fashions will likely be badged R/T, and we wouldn’t be stunned to see R/T and R/T Plus trim ranges.
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Shopper Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of Blu Bayou GT Plus outfitted with the GT Blacktop Bundle and Tech Pack Plus. All advised, our check car stickered for $40,710. Observe that the Blacktop Bundle consists of the 18-inch black wheels, and the Tech package deal such driver-assistance niceties as adaptive cruise controls, around-view digicam, and drowsy-driver alert.
As we famous above, the Hornet performs on the small facet of the compact-crossover section, and whereas that makes for a sportier, extra tossable car, it does take a toll in rear-seat passenger area. Up entrance, there’s loads of room for even bigger and taller occupants, and entry and exiting are easy sufficient. The seats are agency and cozy, and supportive sufficient for lengthy journeys. Additionally, outward visibility is sweet in each course.
The cabin presents nicely for a $40,000 small crossover. Supplies are typically excessive grade and mushy contact, and the contrasting pink stitching in our check car lent the proceedings a sporty character.
Hornet makes use of the Stellantis Uconnect 5 digital interface, and the methods is refreshingly easy to make use of and glitch free. The dashtop touchscreen is simple to learn, even in shiny gentle—and the icons are shiny and recognizable. Throughout our check interval our Bluetooth connection remained intact, one thing we’ve not been in a position to say about different not too long ago examined Uconnect methods.
Additionally, the Harmon Kardon audio system punches above its weight class. The system sounds nice and does justice to the mid-century American jazz typically most popular by this editor.
On the highway the Hornet is as caffeinated as Dodge would have us imagine it’s. The turbocharged engine gives loads of energy from a cease, with a deep nicely of muscle obtainable for passing and merging. Observe that the engine sounds good when hustled, however really comes throughout as a little bit crude at low speeds and when shuffling via site visitors. And, on the subject of noise, Hornet isn’t practically as hushed at freeway pace as different small crossovers; each wind and highway noise play an element right here.
Equally, Hornet handles nicely, with nice steering really feel (for a small crossover) and athletic handing. Journey high quality is usually good, although the suspension is topic to a certain quantity of pounding over bigger highway imperfections, and the car by no means fairly settles in on much less then completely surfaced highways.
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There’s a good quantity of cargo area behind the second seating row, and rear seatbacks fold flat simply sufficient. Hornet isn’t actually roomy sufficient for 4 of us and greater than a weekend’s price of bags, however we suspect the Hornet proprietor base will skew extra in direction of single customers, and married-no-kids varieties.
The brand new Hornet is seemingly what Dodge wants it to be. A buzzy, fun-to-drive small crossover with an approachable price ticket and the promise of entertaining commutes. Hornet just isn’t as roomy or purposeful as a CR-V or RAV4, however it’s extra enjoyable to drive, and a little bit simpler to park and maneuver via site visitors. For those who can dispense with a certain quantity of utility in your quest for some daily-drive enjoyable, be sure you put the Hornet in your test-drive quick listing.
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2023 Dodge Hornet GT Plus Gallery
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