My tester was the Hornet GT Plus. Like the Hornet, the GT is a big part of automotive history and has been a great performer most of the time. In the case of the Hornet, this also means the same, since this small SUV is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Stellantis calls this engine the Hurricane 4, and the name alone sounds great. But what it does match is plenty of power and performance with 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. With a curb weight of 3,715 pounds and a wheelbase of 103.8 inches, that's plenty of power.
The nine-speed automatic transmission keeps the turbo under control, but when you go off the line, it shifts up quickly, worthy of the Dodge (Performance) name. It's no Hellcat, but it certainly has a lot of personality and adds enthusiasm to both city and highway driving.
From an aesthetic standpoint, my tester was outstanding. It was probably the Acapulco Gold exterior. Also included is a blacktop package that includes gloss black painted mirror caps, gloss black painted side window moldings, blacked out Hornet badging and 18-inch Abyss finish wheels. It is a stylish and eye-catching SUV. And this is rare because in this segment, a lot of things within this segment seem to be fused together.
The Hornet is memorable with these looks.
Inside, you'll find more memorable features, including black Alcantara seats with red accents. A double-slash Dodge logo emblem is embossed on the headrests for added individuality. A vehicle at this price has plenty of eye-catching features. The Hornet's interior is a perfect blend of sportiness, youthfulness and sophisticated elegance. The combination of these three is refreshing within this segment, especially for the price.
The rear seats are rated as a five-passenger vehicle, but there's enough leg and shoulder room for two adults. If he seats three passengers in the back seat, he may ask for a little more space and comfort.
There is 27 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. With the seats folded flat, cargo space increases to his 54.7 cubic feet.
The entire Stellantis vehicle lineup offers one of the best, simplest, and cleanest infotainment systems in the industry. Hornet's is no exception. The 10.25-inch touchscreen is intuitive and responsive. The U-Connect 5 system is convenient and user-friendly.
From a fuel economy perspective, the Hornet performs as expected. EPA ratings are 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, approaching the 30 mpg plateau. I averaged nearly 27 mpg, mostly in suburban driving, but with very heavy footing. That seemed to be more than enough for what you get in this plucky little all-wheel-drive (AWD) SUV.
The base price of my tester, the top GT Plus trim, was $35,735. Add in options like the Blacktop Package, Tech Pack (mostly safety features), and Track Pack, which includes beautiful Alcantara seats, and my tester's final MSRP was $44,160.
In the scope of automotive history, this new version of the Dodge Hornet is perhaps not all that iconic. But does it live up to the established Hornet name? That's “yes”. This fun-to-drive small SUV deserves the Hornet name, with its sharp performance and attention-grabbing looks.
Jimmy Dinsmore is a freelance automotive journalist.send him an email jimmydinsmore73@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @driversside
2024 Dodge Hornet GT Plus
Price/Tested Price…………………………………… …… … $35,735/$44,160
Mileage…………………………………………… ……….21 mpg/city; 29mpg/highway
engine…………………………………………. …… 2.0 liter turbo 4 cylinder
Horsepower…………………………………………… 268 hp/295 lbs./ft.
Transmission…………………………………………9 speed automatic
Drive wheels….all wheel drive
Final meeting point….Naples, Italy
