The PHEV version of the Hornet certainly sounds impressive on paper, though it seems like it doesn't translate quite as well to real life.
Photography by Tim Suddard
When released last year, we offered strong reviews of the new Dodge Hornet. We spent most of our time with the 2.0-liter gas version and loved it, decrying it to be our favorite small SUV.
[2023 Dodge Hornet GT new car review]
On a recent visit to Monterey for Car Week, we spent those days with a hybrid version. The full model name on the window sticker: Dodge Hornet R/T Plus Track Pack and Blacktop EAWD.
This gussied-up 2024 Hornet now carries a base price of $46,400 and an as-tested price of $54,325. Most of the increased price is due to the $2245 Tech Pack option that gives you electronic features that, frankly, I’d personally pass on. These nannies include lane departure control, surround view camera and active cruise control.
The Blacktop and Track Pack bundle gives you red calipers, a dark Hornet badge, and gloss black and onyx paint on trim and wheels. At $3590, this package might look sharp on a brighter paint color than the Gray Cray our test car wore, but we can’t see paying that kind of money for a few trim pieces being tarted up a bit.
Last year, we reported we loved the gas version of this car and had some reservations about the hybrid drivetrain.
After putting about 600 miles on this hybrid version, my reservations became more prominent. While we still love the styling and handling of this Alfa Tonale-based Dodge offering, I don’t care for the hybrid drivetrain.
It is not the smoothest hybrid offering we have driven, and the added weight (400 pounds) takes away from the charm and alacrity of this great chassis.
On the plus side, the hybrid is faster (0-60 mph is claimed in 5.6 seconds) and the mileage is significantly better than the 21 city/29 highway of the gas version.
But, at $10,000 more expensive than the gas version, you can buy a lot of fuel and enjoy the simplicity of a vehicle having only one drivetrain to maintain.
The bottom line, in my opinion, is that the Dodge Hornet gives class-leading Honda and others a serious run for their money. It is fairly roomy for a small SUV, is genuinely good-looking, quick and a lot of fun to drive and spend a week with.
We could even say that the Hornet is a genuine gas to drive–assuming you stick with the gas version.
The PHEV version of the Hornet certainly sounds impressive on paper, though it seems like it doesn't translate quite as well to real life.
I got to drive the Hornet a bit, too, as well as a Tonale for a brief spin, for this past week.
Some additional thoughts:
- Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer for Stellantis, said during a "fireside chat" for Alfa Romeo that he's trying to make cars smaller. He's somewhat restricted by safety standards, but the Hornet does indeed feel smaller inside than other cars, but not necessarily in a bad way. You feel like you're in a cocoon rather than in a mere box.
- The Tonale is almost identical to the Hornet. The major differences are that the Tonale has a bit better interior materials and a DNA system to select different driving modes - dynamic, natural and advanced. Other than that, they felt almost exactly the same.
- I'd describe the powertrain peppy and the handling on the sporty side.
- The Hornet has a nice, throaty exhaust note, but it's a tad unpredictable when it will kick in or the hybrid electric drivetrain will kick in. Personally, I like a consistent sound.
- I couldn't help comparing the Dodge Hornet/Alfa Romeo Tonale to a Mazda CX-30. The CX-30 I felt is roomier, has sportier handling/ride, and a more luxe interior. The Hornet has a throatier exhaust note and I felt the engine was a bit peppier.
In reply to J.A. Ackley :
That reminded me that Mazda recently announced it'll be offering a hybrid version of the CX-50. Not unlike the Tonale and Hornet, the hybrid CX-50 uses a Toyota hybrid powerplant. (pulled from the RAV-4 if I remember correctly.)
I'll be interested to see if and how Mazda makes the hybrid CX-50 feel different than the RAV-4.
It's interesting that you like the Hornet so much, I've had two Hornet Hybrids as rentals, and thought that they were a pretty awful car. They do have decent acceleration, but I thought they drove poorly and weren't very user friendly. They weren't R/T versions, so I don't know if that would make any difference.
In reply to RacerBoy75 :
User-friendliness can definitely be subject to the perspective of the user - your results may vary. I also enjoyed the levers (for lack of a better word) for climate controls. It's a personal pet peeve of mine to control temperature with an infotainment center. I like quick and easy access to cool or heat myself up :-)
Pricing on these is the problem (well, quality too based on most reports). For what this thing costs, you're competing against PHEVs from Lincoln, Audi and Volvo. Or you can get something like a Rav 4 Prime, Ford Escape PHEV, etc for about 10 grand less than this Dodge.
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