5 Thoughts About the 2023 Dodge Hornet
Author:
Rob Nestora.
The Oversteer crew recently had the opportunity to drive one of Stellantis’ latest vehicles, the 2023 Dodge Hornet GT, around Atlanta for a week to see if this small SUV cuts the mustard. Our Hornet came wearing 8 Ball paint with a black cloth and leatherette interior. The base price of our Hornet GT was $29,995, plus $1,995 for the Blacktop Package, which adds gloss black mirror caps, black badging, gloss black window moldings, 18-inch Abyss (black-finish) wheels, and all-season tires. The destination charge was $1,595, bringing our total price as tested to $33,585.
1. It’s peppy.
Dodge’s Hornet was born into a family of high-performance vehicles, so a bit of gumption behind the wheel is no surprise. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter DOHC turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, putting out 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Keeping the rubber planted firmly on the Hornet GT is a standard all-wheel-drive system. This allows the small SUV to motivate from 0 to 60 in a manufacturer-estimated 6.5 seconds, which is respectable. It’s no Hellcat, though.
2. It’s stylish.
Dodge products tend to ooze machismo, and the Hornet is no different. Our murdered-out version bore a resemblance to its bigger brother, the Durango, though smaller. The manufacturer calls the black exterior color 8 Ball, which is equally awesome and hilarious. The red contrast stitching on the seats gave a performance feel, which is not something you would expect from a compact crossover. The interior ambient lighting mimics the performance motif and adds to the air of athleticism. Overall, the edgy and cool aesthetic will likely woo buyers who require a practical option but don’t want to sacrifice their swagger.
3. The rear seating feels cramped.
Make no mistake; the Hornet GT is a compact SUV with small dimensions. The rear seats are adequate for quick trips but likely to be avoided for road trips by full-sized humans. Advice Editor Renee Valdes remarked on this point that “the rear seating felt cramped.” One of Valdes’ rear passengers bumped her head while entering the second row during testing, which is surprising given that she was only 5-foot-7.
4. The cargo area is small.
Much like the rear seats, the rear cargo area is also constricted, even for a compact crossover. Cargo capacity ranges from 27 cubic feet with the rear seats up to 54.7 when folded down, which isn’t great. Competitors like the Honda CR-V (39.3/76.5) and Toyota RAV4 (37.6/69.8) offer far more room for rear stowage, so those might be better options if you’re looking to pack heavy in your small SUV.
5. It’s a good value.
Despite the diminutive rear proportions, the Hornet GT remains a solid value for the style it offers. Sure, you could have a base CR-V or RAV4 for a slightly lower price, but the Hornet GT provides more performance and style at a negligible price difference.
The Wrap
We enjoyed the 2023 Dodge Hornet GT during our time behind the wheel. The performance was surprising, and the style was undeniable. It feels cooler than the mechanically similar Alfa Romeo Tonale at a far more attractive price point. Personally, if I were shopping for a compact crossover, the Hornet GT would be on my radar. Then again, I also have no children and a bias toward dude-ish vehicles. Whether US buyers will feel the same way remains to be seen. Related:
2023 Dodge Hornet: Choosing the Right Trim.
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