2023 Dodge Hornet GT test drive review

In the ever-growing compact crossover segment, the 2023 Dodge Hornet GT makes a statement, even if it is a little late to the game. Sharing more than a few similarities with its Italian cousin, the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet feels like both a natural extension of Dodge’s muscle car heritage and a trailblazer for Mopar’s V8-less future. The result is something that is good to drive, stylish and surprisingly exciting. Shop 2023 and newer Dodge Hornets on KSL Cars

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Price and value

Given that the average new car price is now above $48,000, the 2023 Dodge Hornet might just be the performance bargain of the year. The MSRP range for the 2023 Dodge Hornet is $30,735-$35,735. It is available in two trim levels with a suite of standard features that includes aggressive exterior styling and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2024 models see the addition of two additional trims, the R/T and R/T Plus. Some of the major differences in 2023 trim levels are noted below.

• GT: $30,735 See listings

17-inch silver aluminum wheels

LED lighting 

22.5 inches of combined screen display

• GT Plus: $35,735 See listings

Navigation and Harman Kardon premium stereo 

Premium leather interior with ventilated and heated front seats

Wireless charging

For our money, and our toasty buns, the GT Plus trim seems the way to go. Our tester was also fitted with the $1,995 Blacktop Package which adds aesthetic touches like gloss black mirror caps, Abyss Finish wheels and other gloss black finishes. Ours also had the $2,245 Tech Pack which adds safety and driver assistance features like Intelligent Speed Assist, a surround-view camera, Drowsy Driver Detection and more.

Dodge’s warranty is on par with the rest of the segment, offering a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Complimentary maintenance is not included. Shop Dodge Hornets

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Performance

High-power performance is Dodge’s calling card, and that tradition carries over to the new Hornet. While it may not be stuffed with one of their soon-to-be-dead V8s, the punchy 4-cylinder is plenty to have fun with, as are the surprisingly entertaining driving dynamics. 

Overall, it's clear the Hornet has performance on its mind, not just carpool and grocery-getting. Enthusiasts will be especially interested in the 2024 Hornet R/T trims, as even more power is promised by a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Engine 

The GT and GT Plus trims are powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. So no, it doesn’t have a Hemi. But the engine does do an admirable job of carrying over much of Dodge’s go-fast spirit, albeit in a pint-size package.

Fuel efficiency 

Everything comes with a price, including the Hornet’s snorty attitude. The 2023 Dodge Hornet GT is rated at 21 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in combined driving. While those numbers aren’t segment-leading, they’re reasonable enough given the performance. Shop 2023 and newer Dodge Hornet models on KSL Cars

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Drivetrain

The engine is paired with a responsive 9-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system. During our testing, the dynamics felt smooth and confidence inspiring.

Acceleration and handling

This little Hornet knows how to sting. In a segment that’s swarming with lethargic acceleration numbers, the Hornet GT Plus shows up and rips to 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds. Not bad at all, considering it's 3,846 pounds of heft. Handling is also likewise impressive. While our tester was not fitted with the $2,995 Track Pack that adds Brembo front brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires and dual-stage adaptive Koni shocks, we were still impressed by the Hornet's eagerness to dart around. Throw it around a corner and it will surprise you with its honey-like stickiness.

Braking

Braking was powerful and reassuring. In our week of driving, we never questioned the brakes ability to stop us. Of course, we’d like the upgraded Brembo front brakes available with the Track Pack, but we don’t know that we would want to pay almost $3,000 for them.

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Interior comfort and convenience

The Hornet is technically a compact crossover, and nowhere is that more true than in its interior. It’s not a particularly small car by its exterior dimensions, but its interior feels akin to a sports car. It’s tight and not particularly roomy. But, as long as you’re not hauling five grown adults around like we did for a week, you should be just fine.

Seats

The five-seater Hornet is tight in every seat. Six-foot-something humans will find plenty of room up front, but the occupants behind them will not. The seats themselves are comfortable, if a bit on the sporty and firm side, and the heating and ventilated features worked well. The materials were also top-notch, as the leather felt and looked high quality. Shop Dodge Hornets

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Climate control

Dual-zone climate control kept us feeling “just right.” As with most of Dodge’s other products, the air conditioning and heating functionality worked well.

Cargo space and cabin storage

Despite its surprisingly large exterior dimensions, the Hornet is a true compact SUV on the interior — emphasis on compact. There’s not a lot by way of cabin storage, though you do have a small center console and door pockets. The cargo area is also visibly narrow but still should be large enough for basic day-to-day errand and grocery duties. Soccer moms need not apply.

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Infotainment system

The Uconnect 5 infotainment system in the Hornet is truly excellent. The 10.3-inch touchscreen is sharp, bright, organized, responsive and easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay fired right up for us and sounded great piped through the 14-speaker Harman Kardon speaker system. Our only complaint is that some icons can be a little small, making it hard to press while driving.

Exterior appearance and functionality

Despite the obvious similarities with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet looks unmistakably like a Dodge. From its tough attitude front-end styling to its muscular curves and LED taillights, there’s no wonder Dodge refers to the Hornet as a “gateway for enthusiasts to enter the Dodge Brotherhood of Muscle.” Shop Dodge Hornet on KSL Cars

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Towing capacity

Just because the Dodge Hornet is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds doesn’t mean that you should.

Wheels

The wheels that come standard on the Hornet are 17-inch silver painted wheels. We think the 18-inch Abyss Finish wheels look much better, and they produce little additional road noise or ride jitters.

Lights and turn signals

Our Hornet GT Plus was fitted with LED lights all around, automatic high-beam control and an automatic dusk sensor. We’re huge fans of LED headlights and were grateful to see them as standard here on the GT Plus trim.

Cameras and side mirrors

The Hornet benefitted from the Tech Pack’s surround-view camera system, which made parking in tight spots a breeze. Additionally, the cameras were made all the better by the sharp display on the 10.3-inch infotainment screen. As for the side mirrors, they were heated and power-folding.

Front and rear windshield

The view out the front is excellent. If only the same could be said for the rest of the windows and their narrow styling.

Photo by Stellantis

Safety

The new Dodge Hornet has not been tested by the major safety outlets as of this writing. However, with its long list of advanced safety features, we’re sure it’ll be one of the safest compact SUVs on the road. Some of those features include: 

• Blind spot and cross-path detection

• Adaptive speed control

• Full speed forward collision warning plus

• Automatic electronic brake hold

• Lane keep assist

• LED daytime running lamps with park/turn

Awards and ratings 

The Hornet is racking up the awards. The Texas Automotive Writers Association named it the Crossover Utility Vehicle of Texas, and gave it the Best New Interior, Best Value and Best New Feature award.

The forthcoming 2024 R/T trim was given Ward’s 10-Best Engines and Propulsion Systems award. Shop 2023 and newer Dodge Hornet models on KSL Cars

Final impression

When the new Hornet was announced, Dodge bragged that it was going to be one of the most powerful compact crossovers at the $30,000 mark. And they delivered. The 2023 Dodge Hornet looks great. It’s aggressive and just the right size for so many commuters. 

The best part? It’s genuinely fun to drive. It’s evident Dodge didn’t want to create just another A to B appliance, but something that could put a genuine smile on your face every time you drive it. If you’re looking for a small, affordable, technologically advanced SUV that’s fun to drive, the Dodge Hornet GT Plus is the answer.

While the regular GT trim might be tempting to save a few bucks, we think the GT Plus trim is the way to go. It’s about $5,000 more than the standard GT, but its list of standard features, including heated and ventilated seats and LED lighting, make it 100% worth it.

Find your new Dodge Hornet on KSL Cars.

FAQs

Is it fun to drive?

It is! With 268 horsepower and 298 pound-feet of torque on tap, this thing can rip. Add in its above-average handling dynamics and you have yourself a pretty engaging daily driver.

Is it good for families?

Probably not. There’s not much by way of rear-seat space, especially if you have children in car seats. Additionally, there aren’t a lot of cubbies or cargo space, so those with a lot of baby or soccer gear will probably want to look elsewhere. 

KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.

About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, automotive journalist and social media manager. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press where he serves on the Board of Directors. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com.