In North America, there are plenty of new and innovative models from StellantisB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ Jeep and Ram divisions. Not so much in the Chrysler and Dodge camps that collectively produce a grand total of five vehicle models.
Things are looking a bit brighter for Dodge, however, with the arrival of the 2023 Hornet compact utility vehicle, propping up a brand mostly known for the low-volume (and very old) Challenger and Charger.
A Hornet concept vehicle was trotted out more than 15 years ago, but thatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s as far as it got. The new Hornet originates from the Alfa Romeo Tonale, which means it will be built in Naples, Italy and not in North America.
The vehicle joins a red-hot segment that includes plenty of competition, such as the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4, the Hyundai Tucson and the Mazda CX-5. The Dodge Journey might have been considered part of the segment, but it was long in the tooth and was retired in 2020. That left the brand without a small utility vehicle at a time when they were pretty much all that buyers wanted (other than pickups). For context, the RAV4 and the CR-V are top sellers for their respective brands.
Compared with the class leaders, the HornetB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s length and distance between the front and rear wheels are on the more compact side. So is the cargo volume, but itB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s close enough that you likely wonB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t notice.
The vehicleB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s appealing bodywork should generate interest. So too will the interior finishings and controls, including a large 10.25-inch touch-screen thatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s angled toward the driver. A traditional floor shifter is part of the mix.
But to significantly separate it from the herd, Dodge is betting that creating a performance-oriented vehicle for the masses B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” with standard all-wheel-drive B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” will generate considerable buzz (pun intended).
The base GT, which is priced at $40,200, including destination charges, has a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Standard active-safety technologies include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, and backup sensors.
The R/T plug-in hybrid (PHEV), arriving next spring, gets a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder with electric assist. Net output is 288/383. The PHEV also provides about 50 kilometres of electric driving before the gasoline engine kicks in. While not quite segment-leading B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” the Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV makes 302 horsepower but less torque B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” the R/T is still pretty stout.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with the GT and a six-speed automatic is in the R/T. Fuel consumption numbers are not available.
According to Dodge, the GT can scoot to 60 mph (96 km/h) from rest in a respectable 6.5 seconds; the R/T is just 0.4 of a second quicker at 6.1. A so-called PowerShot feature, exclusive to the R/T, delivers 25 more horsepower for a 15-second burst.
Along with its quicker reflexes, the R/T comes with Hybrid, Electric and E-Save (economy) drive modes. There are Brembo-brand brake calipers, Koni-brand shocks, a dual exhaust system and 18-inch wheels (17s are installed for the GT).
A Track Pack option, available for both trims, provides 20-inch wheels and unique interior trim.
With the HornetB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s arrival, Stellantis appears determined to maintain Dodge as a performance brand. The vehicle also offers a clear alternative to buyers of mainstream compact utility vehicles.
But thatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s not all. DodgeB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s performance notoriety will expand to include potent battery-electric vehicles such as the two-door Dodge Charger Daytona SRT.
Stellantis appears to have no intention of letting the Dodge brand slide, leveraging its global manufacturing horsepower to do so.
What you should know: 2023 Dodge Hornet
Type: All-wheel-drive compact utility vehicle
Engines (h.p.): 2.0-litre I-4, turbocharged (268); 1.3 litre I-4, turbocharged with electric assist (288)
Transmissions: Eight-speed automatic (2.0); six-speed automatic (1.3)
Market position: The Hornet marks the first new model in DodgeB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s lineup since the ill-fated compact Dart sedan (2013-B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™16). The Hornet shares platforms and powertrains with the equally new Alfa Romeo Tonale. That means the Hornet will be built in Italy.
Points: Styling has a European flavour but with recognizable Dodge touches. B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·¢ Both powertrain choices offer good power, which helps the brandB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s performance creds.B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·¢ Attractive interior combines modern controls along with a familiar shift lever. B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·¢ Performance fans will be attracted to the R/T. B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·¢ For a vehicle with standard AWD, pricing appears to be right on target.
Active safety: Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic backup alert (std.); automatic emergency front braking (std.); inattentive-driver alert (opt.); lane-departure warning (std.); pedestrian detection (opt.)
L/100 km (city/hwy): n.a Base price (incl. destination): $40,200
BY COMPARISON
Toyota RAV4 AWD
- Base price: $36,700
- Class-leading model is easy on fuel. Hybrid and plug-in hybrids available.
Hyundai Tucson AWD
- Base price: $39,850
- New-for-2022 model can be had with two optional hybrid choices.
Volkswagen Tiguan AWD
- Base price: $35,800
- Largest-in-class utility vehicle comes with a 184-h.p. turbo four-cylinder.
B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ written by Malcom Gunn, Managing Partner at Wheelbase Media
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