Entering the 2023 & 2024 Dodge lineup is the all-new subcompact Hornet crossover. Dodge is positioning the Hornet as a sporty vehicle with a green powertrain option. This new vehicle fills a gap for Dodge dealers, though Dodge’s Stellantis partners Jeep and Alfa Romeo have very similar vehicles on their showroom floors. The base Hornet debuted in mid-2023 and the plug-in hybrid trim is following close behind as a 2024 model year vehicle.

The new Dodge Hornet shows promise. It’s the right size for many families with one or two small children, empty nesters, and single folk. In addition to a small punchy turbo engine, the Hornet can come as a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which is the top trim and the version we tested. We are fans of the Stellantis brands (Dodge, Jeep, SRT, RAM, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati, etc) and we often find they have the boldest personalities in their segments.

Dodge says the Hornet is a “gateway to Dodge performance.” Dodge goes on to say the Hornet is the “Quickest, fastest, most powerful compact utility vehicle under $30,000.”

The Hornet is little, and that is a big departure for Dodge. The “Designed by Dodge Brothers in Detroit” cars and SUVs we have long lusted after are big, bold, and beautiful.

The Mazda CX-30 Turbo starts at about $36K and rises to about $40K with every option. Its turbocharged engine is widely considered the best in this segment. When you drive the CX-30 you feel like you are in a Mazda3 Turbo, which feels faintly reminiscent of the Miata. The CX-30 is a fantastic sporty getaway vehicle for weekend drives in the mountains. Even better, its driver space feels comfortable for tall people.

The Dodge Hornet GT without the plug-in option costs about the same as the CX-30 Turbo, but it’s not as quick. Car and Driver measured the 0-60 MPH time of the CX-30 Turbo at 5.8 seconds, and Dodge says the Hornet takes 6.5. We despise citing 0-60 times, but Dodge started it!

Where the CX-30 Turbo is a balanced performer that offers satisfaction in all aspects of driving, the Hornet R/T PHEV only did so when we pinned the throttle.

The RAV4 Prime PHEV is larger than the Hornet R/T PHEV, quicker, has more power, and has a 33% longer EV range than the Hornet, so you would expect it to cost more, but it doesn’t. It costs less. And every RAV4 has a compact spare tire and wireless Android Auto. The RAV4 Prime is one of the best crossovers in the U.S. market and the better plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in this comparison.

The Hornet would smoke the Crosstrek in a stoplight race, but other than that, for around $32K, the Subaru Crosstrek Sport is simply better in every respect than the base Hornet. If you plan to drive off-pavement or live where the weather is harsh in winter, Subaru’s Crosstrek is the winner in this matchup.

Hey, look. Alfa Romeo sells this same vehicle with fancier clothes.

The Jeep Compass is very similar to the gas-only Hornet.

Let’s start at the end. Our 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T Plus PHEV media test vehicle had a price of $52,305 with no sunroof and cloth seats. That is a staggering price tag for a subcompact crossover, even in today’s inflated dollars. There are so many great options that cost so much less we can’t get past the price tag. Since it is imported from Italy, the Hornet does not qualify for any federal EV tax incentives.

The least expensive Dodge Hornet we could configure using Dodge’s online tool starts at $31,830, including the steep $1,595 Dodge destination charge and a $500 discount Dodge calls the National Retail Consumer Cash 23CP1. We have no idea what that is or how long it will last, so let’s call the starting price $32,330. Wait, didn’t Dodge tell us this was the “fastest vehicle in its class for UNDER $30K?”

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.

If you floor the Hornet R/T Plus, it accelerates with gusto. A Sport Mode and Power Shot feature amp up the straight-line excitement. The hybrid and gas motors conspire to put down a respectable 383 lb-ft of torque through its standard all-wheel-drive system. Dodge says 0-60 MPH comes in just 5.6 seconds. We don’t doubt it. If you are not familiar with how quick that is, it is about the same as a top-trim Camry or Accord. When you are underway in Hybrid Mode, you can also tap into some serious power. With 288 hp available at full tilt, the Hornet never lacks merging or passing power. Our testing didn’t include any closed-course time, but a colleague we trust did flog the Hornet to its limits in a safe environment. His take was, “I couldn't have pushed it any harder than I did, and I was amazed at how well it performed.”

As much as we love to hear the throaty rumble of a HEMI V8, the sounds from the Hornet didn’t blow our skirt up, and we ended up using silent EV mode most of the time during our testing. As an EV, the Hornet is great. You can do your daily errands or commute and not use gas as long as you stay within its approximately 31-mile EV range. We did, and only charged to top the Hornet off a couple of times at home during our week of testing. The gas gauge never moved off full.

The Hornet we tested had high-performance tires on big rims with big painted calipers clinging to the brake rotors. They seem a little weird in this segment, but the enthusiasts will like it. The ride was too stiff for this tester’s taste, and our passengers noted the rough ride.

One aspect of the Hornet we must mention is the giant paddle shifters. They are much longer than most paddles on most vehicles, and they are too close to the steering wheel. Our knuckles inadvertently brushed and bumped the paddles when we steered.

The cloth seats in the Hornet were very nice to the touch but are sized for a fit person with narrow hips and a narrow midsection. This 6-foot tall, 200-pound male felt squeezed by the side bolsters, and the bottom bolsters were under me.

The rear seating space is subcompact, and to fit a pair of adults back there, you will need to pull the front seats forward. This is not uncommon for the CUV segment. If you plan to use a car seat, we suggest you check it for fitment before you buy.

Neither NHTSA nor IIHS have tested the Dodge Hornet as of the publication of this review. When using the Dodge pricing configurator, we found that the Hornet does not come standard with all of its available safety features. Some are contained within the $2,245 Tech Pack Plus package.

The Dodge Hornet is an entirely new model for this brand in 2024. Therefore, we can only rely on the Dodge brand’s past scores to predict its future reliability. In its 2023 Durability Study, J.D. Power ranked Dodge well above average. Dodge’s score was higher than that of Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Audi, Volvo, and a bit higher than Jeep’s score. This being the very first year for the Hornet, we would suggest an extended warranty if you plan to keep your Hornet long-term.

Based on what we found in the Dodge build configurator, it is important to add the package that includes active cruise control. Our test vehicle also lacked a moonroof, and we would want one in a $53K sporty crossover.

The biggest decision is whether to get the plug-in hybrid powertrain. We love PHEVs, and feel they offer the best of both worlds; Local emissions-free all-electric driving paired with long-distance hybrid driving. However, at over $50K for a small crossover, we are not sure which way we would go. You will have to decide if the plug and power bump are worth another $12K on top of the price of a similar Hornet with the 2.0-liter turbo gas engine.

The all-new 2024 Dodge Hornet has a warranty typical for mainstream models. The high voltage hybrid battery will have a longer warranty and is expected to be announced shortly.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• Powertrain: 5 years / 60k miles
• High Voltage Battery Warranty Pending (Expected 10 years 100,000 miles)

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