Dodge has released a brand new model of car called the 2023 Hornet GT. It’s been 10 years since their last release. The Hornet is a small crossover vehicle, which means it’s like an SUV but smaller – this type of car is really popular in the United States right now. Dodge hasn’t made one like this before.
The new Dodge Hornet is a small SUV that comes with two different engines. The basic model, called the GT, will be available next month for $31,590 including shipping fees. It runs on a 2.0-liter turbo engine and uses all four wheels to move with the help of a 9-speed automatic transmission. The more advanced version of the car is called the R/T which should be released during late spring as a 2024 model. This one is special because it is Dodge’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, making it faster and more powerful than its predecessor!
The Hornet is basically like a “hot hatch” from an unusual car maker. They have made it as an SUV because that’s where the people who want to buy it are. Experts suggested that those who would buy this SUV wouldn’t be the same sort of people looking for the fast 1,025 hp Demon 170 muscle car. So the big question is, will buyers go for this small crossover without V-8s when they can get a Challenger which can do 0-60 mph in 1.66 seconds?
Introducing the New Hornet from Dodge
The new car called ‘Hornet’ from Dodge gives people an exciting, high-performing alternative to the Challenger and Charger models. This car is a preview of what’s to come, including electric cars that will help Dodge keep their adventure-filled reputation alive!
The Hornet is a Stellantis car that has been modified from a different one called the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale. It was also made with help from the Jeep Renegade and Compass and the Fiat 500X. Alfa Romeo and Dodge both belong to the same company, but they won’t be sold together. Finally, all Hornets are being built in Italy, same with the other two cars mentioned earlier.
To turn the Tonale into a Dodge that could be sold with the famous “Domestic; Not Domesticated” saying, Dodge changed up its power, redesigned both ends of the car, and decorated the inside of it with unique visuals that belong to the Dodge brand as well as some cool contrasting stitching.
“Check In With Yourself
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The front of the car is designed very well to look like the bigger Dodge Durango. The grille between the headlights and Dodge’s special “mask” with a honeycomb pattern in a big lowered intake give it a unique design. There are also two air vents that look kind of like exhaust pipes, just like on Dodge performance cars. From the side, you can still see its original shape, but the rear has a full-width light band with a mini pinch at the center – another nod to the grille from up front. If you get optional 20-inch wheels, it will further enhance its performance look.
The inside of the vehicle is dark and full of contrasting colors. There is also a big digital dashboard which consists of a 12.3-inch display, plus a 10.3-inch center touchscreen. The GT and R/T Plus package includes red seats, and upgrading to the Track Pack gets you Alcantara inserts that really make the interior look more fancy.
The Hornet can fit four adults just fine, but don’t try five as it might be too tight. Unlike some small SUVs, there’s enough space in the back with plenty of headroom and legroom. The front seat sits really low, so if you want to see out in front of you, you’ll have to adjust the power driver seat to the maximum height. You won’t be able to see much over your shoulders either due to the rising waistline and chunky roof pillar.
Get Ready to Enjoy Power and Speed with the Dodge Hornet R/T!
We tried out both types of the Hornet car, and discovered that they each have their own character. The more affordable GT version is a bit simpler to operate but you need to press down firmly on the accelerator to get good speed from it’s 9-speed automatic transmission.
The engine of the GT car usually runs below 2,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) in order to save gas (EPA ratings are 24 mpg combined, which is not good). However, when you push down hard on the pedal it makes the 9-speed automatic shift down several times before the 268-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 kicks in, giving power to all four wheels. If you drive exclusively in Sport mode this can make it a lot more fun to drive but it will also use up more gas, and we think it may drop to as low as 20 mpg.
The Dodge Hornet R/T is really powerful. It’s the first U.S-made Dodge car to have an engine that’s only 1.3 liters big, but it also has a 44-hp electric starter-generator and a 121-hp electric motor that helps power the rear wheels of the car. The 15.5-kwh battery pack located under the rear seat and in the tunnel provides energy for both of these motors so when run on electric-only mode, the R/T can be driven with just its rear wheels – just like another popular model called Durango.
Get Tons of Power with the R/T
Dodge’s R/T has a total of 288 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. Its extra “PowerShot” feature allows it to add 30 horses for 15 seconds when its battery charge is at 80% or more. To activate the PowerShot, you must switch the R/T into Sport mode, pull both steering wheel paddles backwards, and press on the accelerator until you feel a detent. This boosts its 0-60 mph speed up to 5.6 seconds!
Getting the most power out of the R/T can be a bit unpredictable. The motors give you lots of power right away, but when your battery is low, the engine has to work extra hard. The automatic 6-speed also shifts twice to give you power at 5,000 rpm, and adding in electric motor makes it hard for drivers to know what combination of sources will start up.
The cool look of the Hornet is only one part – turning and gripping on the road are much more enjoyable. Even with the powerful engine, it stays stable and balanced on both 18-inch or 20-inch wheels. Typically larger wheels make for a noisier ride and rougher feel, but this is not the case here – you’ll experience unprecedented comfort in driving the Hornet!
The R/T also has an Electric mode that runs only on battery power, and it works well in cities when you need less power. e-Save mode will hold the battery’s energy or use the engine to get more energy for performance (on PowerShots). So the Hornet R/T is about extra horsepower for speed; premium fuel is best but regular will work too. Both versions come with a feature called “stop-start” but you can turn it off if you don’t want it.
Experience Muscle Car Power and Luxury with the 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T!
No special tests have been done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to see how safe the Dodge Hornet is in a car crash. All versions of the Hornet come with special features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors and active lane control already installed. If you decide to buy the extra ‘Tech Pack’ then you will get extra stuff like traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, an automatic parking system and even a camera that can show you what is happening all around your vehicle.
The Hornet comes with great features as standard like all-wheel drive, dual-zone climate control, large screens, a flat-bottom steering wheel and alloy wheels. For an extra $5,000 you can add luxurious extras; such as a 14-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system, navigation to help you find your way around, wireless smartphone charging & a sunroof for days out in the sunshine. Plus power-adjustable seats that are heated and cooled so you stay comfy year round and leather upholstery for some extra comfort.
The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T costs about $41,590. If you want to get the extra features of this car, you will need an additional $5,000 for a total cost of about $50,000.
The Blacktop package is all about making your vehicle look cooler, with things like black moldings, wheels, and other trim. The Cold Weather group adds heated seats and steering wheel for when it’s cold outside–plus a remote starter for convenience. And for those looking for better performance, the Track Pack includes adjustable shocks, bigger red brakes in front, flashier 20-inch blaack-finish wheels, special Alcantara seats, and some decorative additions inside the car.
The 2024 Hornet, created by Dodge, is full of old-school muscle car features that make it so much fun to drive. It stands out from the other boring crossovers in its class, which should help it sell better. We have arrived at this conclusion after Dodge paid for our airfare, hotel, and meals while researching this topic.