Is Dodge Bringing Back The Hornet?

Dodge is entering the crossover market with a name you may have heard of before: the Hornet. Unlike the concept vehicle it produced in the mid-2000s, this Dodge will have an optional hybrid powertrain and strengthen the brand’s utility vehicle lineup below the mid-sized Durango. Here at Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Georgetown, we’ve put together an overview of some of the key features you can look forward to in the all-new Dodge Hornet.

Powertrain Options

The standard setup in the Hornet is a 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine that puts out 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain is completed with standard all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. It will provide considerably more power to this compact crossover than many rivals in the segment, which often features vehicles with base engines under 200 horsepower.

The Hornet R/T offers a plug-in hybrid setup consisting of a 1.3L four-cylinder turbocharged engine, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack. This powertrain will produce 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The battery and electric motor combine to provide 30 miles of all-electric driving range.

The hybrid powertrain offers three driving modes: Hybrid, Electric, and E-Save. Hybrid mode combines the gas engine and electric power to produce maximum fuel efficiency. The electric option relies exclusively on the battery and electric motor to power your Hornet, with the engine kicking in automatically when the battery gets too low. Finally, the E-Save mode gives the battery a break and relies on the gas engine to move your Hornet around town.

The plug-in hybrid Hornet also boasts the Power Shot feature, which can temporarily boost the engine’s output by 25 horsepower. When Power Shot is activated, it helps propel the Hornet R/T from zero to 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds. Otherwise, the R/T requires 7.1 seconds to reach 60 mph. The gas-powered Hornet accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds.

You can charge the Hornet R/T’s battery pack using a 240-volt outlet, known as level 2 charging, in about 2.5 hours. Since the Hornet is a brand-new model, we don’t have official fuel economy statistics for it yet. However, the R/T will be more efficient than the gas-powered model.

Passenger and Cargo Space

The Hornet has room for five passengers across two rows of seats. The front row provides plenty of room for passengers to stretch out and relax. The infotainment display is tilted toward the driver for ease of access. The standard upholstery offered in the Hornet is black with red stitching. However, some trims give you the option to upgrade to leather upholstery or faux suede.

The second row also has plenty of room for adult passengers while offering equipment for installing child seats. Behind the rear row, you’ll have around 27 cubic feet of storage in the gas-powered Hornet and a slightly lower 22 cubic feet in the plug-in hybrid model. Both of these figures are good for the subcompact SUV class that the Dodge Hornet will compete in.

Infotainment and Safety Features

As you’d expect from a brand-new vehicle, the 2023 Hornet boasts an outstanding infotainment system. The Uconnect 5 infotainment interface provides you easy access to all your favorite features, including radio, music streaming, podcasts, and more. The infotainment display in the base Hornet measures 10.25 inches, and it can be paired with an impressive 14-speaker stereo. Smartphone compatibility is taken care of by wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

When you’re behind the wheel, you can keep on top of information like speed limits and your vehicle’s performance on the Hornet’s 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Other useful features include keyless entry and automatic windshield wipers.

The Hornet also helps the driver with a long list of safety features. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking can help you if you don’t respond in time to a threat up ahead, while lane departure warning can keep you on the highway. Other standard features include blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

One optional add-on is adaptive cruise control, which will adjust your speed on the highway, so you don’t get too close to other motorists. You can also add a driver drowsiness monitor, alerting you when you need to take a driving break, and road sign recognition.

Hornet Trims and Pricing

Dodge is still finalizing its trim lineup for the Hornet. When the gas-powered Hornet hits our showrooms in December, we’ll have a clearer idea of the various trims on offer. The R/T model won’t be available until spring 2023, so more news may trickle out about the available trims before then.

What we already know is that the base Hornet will have an MSRP of around $31,000. We expect that the R/T will have a slightly higher starting price due to the extra cost of its hybrid powertrain. If you want to keep up to date with all the latest on the Hornet’s trims and pricing, feel free to reach out to our sales team.

As you can see, there’s a lot to be excited about in Dodge’s new crossover. It’s the first all-new vehicle to come from the brand in over a decade. More are likely on the way soon, with rumors growing that the Charger and Challenger could be discontinued. Dodge has indicated that it wants to move in the direction of hybrid and electric vehicles, so the Hornet R/T’s hybrid powertrain may be a taste of things to come.

If you’d like to reserve your new Hornet before it hits our showroom, don’t hesitate to contact us. Here at Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Georgetown, we’re excited about the Hornet’s upcoming release. Once the new Dodge vehicles arrive at our dealership, you’ll be able to arrange a test drive or drop by to see how they look. While you’re here, you can chat with our finance team about securing a competitive auto loan to fund your new Hornet.

Tags: Dodge Hornet
Posted in Discontinuing, Dodge | No Comments »