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The Dodge Hornet competes in the Small SUV market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 55 percent of new Small SUV buyers are female (vs. 39 percent for the industry), and the median age of a new Small SUV buyer is 56 years (vs. 56).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated the Small SUV segment in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
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In the sections that follow, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $48,960, including the $1,595 destination charge.
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Sitting in the Dodge Hornet, its Alfa Romeo roots shine through—in a good way. The front bucket seats are deep, supportive, and nicely bolstered to keep passengers firmly planted during spirited driving. The available Alcantara (synthetic suede) upholstery grips clothing and adds another layer of security when flinging the crossover SUV around a corner. All controls and displays are within easy reach of the driver, but outward visibility is limited, thanks to high rear seatbacks, a sloping liftgate, and a small rear window.
There's decent room in the back seat, but taller adults may feel the pinch on head- and legroom. Even so, the rear bench has better support and padding than some others in its class, and the addition of Alcantara upholstery makes the space feel more upscale than many rivals. Though advertised as a 5-seater, the Hornet is best with four, as the center rear seat is hard and limited on space.
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Dodge uses parent automaker Stellantis' Uconnect 5 infotainment software in the Hornet. Based on my experience, it's one of the most intuitive and responsive systems on the market. It runs perfectly on the Hornet's 10.25-inch touchscreen, and the display is crisp with easy-to-read text and nice graphics. It brings desirable features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, and makes interacting with the SUV pleasurable while driving.
Dodge also includes a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that brings clear, easy-to-understand vehicle information. It's not as flexible as Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit systems, but it's a welcome addition for an SUV with a premium price tag. The display pairs perfectly with the infotainment touchscreen to show vehicle information, such as audio playlists and more.
Standard tech features in the Hornet GT include:
Buyers can upgrade with a Harman Kardon sound system, wireless phone charging, navigation, remote engine start, and a universal garage door system. Even so, the base configuration is more generous than expected and will be more than enough for most owners.
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The base Dodge Hornet GT comes with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It's one of the more powerful engines in its class, making the Hornet feel eager in most situations. It has no trouble accelerating to highway speeds. Once there, passing is no problem. The GT gets a 9-speed automatic transmission.
My test SUV was the R/T version, which comes with a turbocharged, 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. The combined output is 288 hp and 383 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the gas-only version, the plug-in hybrid R/T feels far stronger off the line, thanks to its electric motor. It pairs with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration with the PHEV is significantly more robust than the gas GT. Dodge says the Hornet R/T takes around 5.6 seconds to reach 60 mph. The automaker equips an interesting PowerShot function that enables the quick zero-to-60-mph time, though it impacts electric driving range.
There's little to complain about with the R/T's driving dynamics. Its steering feels precise and nicely weighted, and the AWD system adds confidence in the corners. Braking is strong, and I had no problem stopping all the excitement in a hurry. That said, the Hornet still feels less sporty than some others in its class, including the Mazda CX-30, which offers a more engaging driving experience. Even so, the Hornet is one of the more entertaining plug-in hybrid options, which Mazda doesn't currently offer.
Dodge equips the Hornet with paddle shifters that add to the driving feel. Even so, the execution is off, as they're too close to the steering wheel and can lead to more than a few knuckle bumps during spirited driving. The good news is they're responsive and don't feel like an afterthought. Still, the high-quality metal paddles feel like less of an upgrade because of their positioning.
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The 2024 Hornet gets a generous list of standard safety tech, and buyers can upgrade with several additional features. Standard tech includes:
Available tech includes traffic-sign recognition, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, a driver monitoring system, and active parking assistance with parallel and perpendicular settings.
Dodge's safety equipment works well, but the Hornet has too many dings and chimes. The SUV chimes for several seconds on startup, and safety warnings can sometimes sound abrasive. While it's important not to miss a safety alert, they won't do much good if they scare the driver thoroughly so as not to be effective.
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The 2024 Dodge Hornet GT offers 27 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 54.7 cubic feet with the rear bench folded flat. The R/T's battery pack cuts into that space a bit, reducing capacity to 22.9 cubic feet and 50.5 cubic feet, respectively.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), gasoline versions of the 2024 Hornet get 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's below average compared to the competition. As of this writing, neither Dodge nor the EPA has released fuel-economy estimates for the plug-in hybrid version. The PHEV offers 30 miles of electric range, and Dodge says it can recharge in around 2.5 hours on a Level 2 charger.
As of this writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released crash-test results for the 2024 Dodge Hornet.
Pricing for the 2024 Dodge Hornet starts at $30,735 and ranges to $45,935. All trim levels see a $1,595 destination charge tacked on to the bottom line.
In the JD Power 2023 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Buick Encore GX ranks highest in the Small SUV segment. The Kia Soul and the Ford Bronco Sport are the next highest-ranked models.
In the 2023 APEAL Study, the Mini Countryman ranks highest in the Small SUV segment. The Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Ford Bronco Sport rank second (in a tie).
The Hornet competes against a wide range of small SUVs, including the newly refreshed Honda HR-V, which is significantly cheaper to start and offers better fuel economy. The Chevrolet Trailblazer scores well in the 2023 APEAL Study, and its price is even more agreeable. Buyers may also eye the Hyundai Kona, which is available with an electric powertrain and gets revised styling for 2024. That said, Hyundai also gave it a higher price for the new model year, bringing it closer to (but still cheaper than) the Hornet's base price.
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Though it offers a sporty driving experience and attractive, Italian-inspired styling, the Hornet's shortcomings and high price are enough to warrant a look at other SUVs in its class. I frequently haul around two kids and a large dog, and the Hornet is less practical in many ways than my Volkswagen Golf hatchback. The Hornet's cargo space has an awkward shape and is too small to accommodate larger gear. And forget about smashing a dog back there. At the same time, the back seat is cramped, and the headroom is somewhat limited, so loading kids into car seats is challenging.
At the same time, the Hornet's driving experience doesn't live up to its billing. Despite its mostly engaging driving experience, the handoff between hybrid and gas powertrain components sometimes feels disjointed, and the gas engine makes too much noise in the process. While responsive, the paddle shifters are too close to the steering wheel, causing me to painfully bang my knuckles more than once. However, they do add to the driving engagement.
That said, Dodge equipped the Hornet with a solid list of standard tech features that make it feel (mostly) worth its price tag. The infotainment system works flawlessly, and the digital gauge cluster offers a clear view into what's happening under the hood. The SUV also brings a generous list of safety equipment, though adding more can push the price tag deep into premium vehicle territory.
Chris Teague is an experienced writer in the automotive and technology fields. In addition to JDPower.com, his work appears at Forbes, The Drive, Your Test Driver, and others.
