After a week in the Dodge Hornet we’re back to answer all of your questions
- We just wrapped up a full week behind the wheel of the 2024 Dodge Hornet GT.
- Before it showed up, we asked what questions you had about Dodge’s latest SUV.
Crossovers are a hot commodity for most brands, but for Dodge, the Hornet feels more like a big flop for now—at least for now. To figure out what might be holding it back, we drove one for a week as though it were our own.
Now, we’ve reviewed it and pondered its best and worst qualities. Before we drove it, we asked you what you wanted to know about it. You’re about to get your answers. Our first question highlights the Hornet’s unfortunate place in the market right now.
Considering it’s the slowest selling vehicle currently, what do you consider it’s worst quality?
There are two main problems with the Hornet, in my opinion. First, it doesn’t remotely scream “Dodge Performance Car.” Of course, that’s hardly surprising, given that Stellantis’s bean counters decided it would be cheaper to slap a Dodge badge on the Alfa Romeo Tonale—a move that arguably does a disservice to fans of both brands. A more aggressive design might have salvaged some credibility, especially with Dodge loyalists who expect their cars to exude muscle and menace.
Review: 2024 Dodge Hornet GT Plus Is A Great Performer With Some Notable Flaws
The other issue is that it doesn’t behave the same way that most Dodge products do. The Charger, Durango, and Challenger all offer breakneck speed from 0 mph. The Hornet struggled to match that same character despite having more power than everything else in its segment.
Will it run on regular fuel? I’ve also heard fuel economy was on the poor side for this class. What was your result?
Yes, it’ll run on regular but Dodge recommends 91 for “optimal performance.” We managed 25.3 mpg over the course of a week. That consisted of highway and city miles and frankly, is pretty good considering how much power this car makes. No, it’s not a fuel sipper but people who prioritize performance will be glad that they’re not trading off too much to get a bit of both.
Is the wheelbase too small and the front overhang too large for that size of a car?
This is completely a “beauty in the eye of the beholder” sort of thing. I think it looks fine for what it is but that Dodge would’ve done better to be more aggressive with it. It might have scored more points if Dodge had lowered it and aimed it at being a cheaper alternative to the Toyota GR Corolla perhaps.
Did anything break? And, how bad is the powertrain overall considering they’re trying to market this thing to enthusiasts?
We had zero problems in terms of broken or malfunctioning items during our week of testing. The powertrain isn’t bad either. In fact, during everyday driving, the powertrain and chassis come together to be one of the best in the class. Off the line, the Hornet has a weird delay that we’re still trying to figure out but otherwise performance isn’t the issue here.
How does this compare to similarly-priced performance subcompacts like the Kona N and CX-30 Turbo?
We touch on this in our review, but let’s address it more directly here. The Hornet isn’t as sharp as the Hyundai but is more powerful than the Mazda. It features great steering feel overall and awesome braking power too. It doesn’t feel as light and playful as the CX-30 but it’s not far off.
Is there any advantage over competitors?
Power. That’s the big advantage. If you want the most horsepower per dollar this is where you’ll get it. Sure, other cars will offer a nicer cabin, better fuel economy, or more utility, but the Hornet is focused on power and delivers it in spades.
Does it deserve to be a Dodge and named a Hornet?
I’d love to say yes here, but the reality is that it doesn’t. The Hornet has pretty much always been a muscle car and that’s not what we have here. Instead, I think Dodge should’ve named this the Omni. They could’ve lowered it and sold it as (I know I’ve already said this but it bears repeating), a cheaper and less capable GR Corolla alternative but with more cargo and cabin space.
Then, in a year or two, Dodge could’ve given the Omni a RWD-biased AWD system and called it the Omni GLH or GLHS. How it decided on Hornet is beyond me because the packaging, power, and overall goal seems obvious.