For 2023, Dodge is revitalizing an old nameplate into the market. That name is the Dodge Hornet and its coming in as a compact crossover SUV.
This new vehicle will be nothing like the old muscular car that we remember. Instead, we expect this vehicle to be some form of a hybrid or electric crossover riding on the same platform as the new Alfa Romeo Tonale and Jeep Compass. It’s not unusual for an automaker to use the same platform across several brands, and Stellantis is ready to do just that with the underpinnings of these three subcompact crossover SUVs. Could the new Hornet bring enough of a sting to make it the vehicle you want to drive?
The First Hybrid Dodge is a New Model
Instead of adding hybrid driving technology to the small lineup we see from Dodge, they choose to use the Small US Wide (SUSW) platform to create a compact 4×4 with a hybrid powertrain. The Hornet is only expected to be a hybrid and enter a segment with some seriously popular models. This new Dodge will go up against the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Tucson, to name a few. Can the Hornet offer enough to make it the SUV you want to drive instead of some of these other models?
When Will We See the New Hornet?
Before we will see the Dodge Hornet, the Alfa Romeo Tonale will arrive to give us the next of the subcompact crossovers from Stellantis. So far, the new Hornet has not been seen on testing roads, which means it’s still under wraps. We will get a look at what this SUV offers soon when it begins road testing. Most likely, unless something slows it down, the new Horner will show up in the early part of 2023 after making the rounds at the fall car shows later this year.
Do We Know How Much this New Dodge will Cost?
It’s difficult to speculate the price of a vehicle that hasn’t even been tested on the streets yet. Expect this new hybrid SUV to arrive with a competitive price point to ensure it can grab some of the market shares right away. The average starting price of the competition is $25,000, which could be the base price for this new Dodge. It’s possible the Hornet will start higher, closer to some of the hybrid SUVs in the market right now. When optioned, we should expect a top tier of this SUV to reach around $40,000.
Will We See the Dodge Array of Colors?
The Challenger and Charger models give us several incredible colors to admire and enjoy when looking at these cars. The question becomes whether or not the Dodge Hornet will benefit from these same colors. We do expect to see a front grille that blends into narrow LED headlights and a prominent lower grille. There will be hood vents, black cladding around the wheel arches, and a build that’s boxier than other hybrids in the market. What we don’t know is whether or not we will see the vivid colors that Dodge is well known for offering.
How Big is the Dodge Hornet?
We don’t have the specific dimensions because Dodge doesn’t want to give them to us. That being said, we can expect the new Hornet to have similar measurements as the Tonale, just applied a little differently. The Tonale is 178.3 inches long, 72.4 inches wide, and 63 inches tall. The curb weight is another unknown, but it should arrive at nearly 3,500 pounds and offer standard AWD from the hybrid powertrain for this SUV.
Will Dodge Offer this SUV Without a Hybrid Powertrain?
Once again, all we can do is speculate what the new Hornet will bring to the market. We know it will have a hybrid powertrain, but will it be the same one as the Tonale? If so, that means we can expect standard AWD on all models, a plug-in hybrid setup that has a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine with a 90-kW motor and a six-speed automatic transmission. The combined output for this system is expected to be 272 horsepower. The Tonale is also offered with a non-hybrid engine, but the Dodge will only be offered as a hybrid. Maybe a gasoline option would arrive later on, but that seems like moving backward and not forward.
What Should the Fuel Mileage Target be for the Dodge Hornet?
If Dodge is serious about the Hornet taking over the compact hybrid crossover class, fuel mileage will be key. Currently, the Toyota RAV4 Prime offers94 MPGe combined and an electric driving range of 30 miles. This plug-in hybrid SUV takes about two hours to charge using a Level 2 charger. These are numbers the Hornet could reach if properly equipped.
What Will the Interior Offer?
The new Hornet will be a two-row crossover with a decent amount of cargo room. We can expect advanced electronics offered in this new SUV, including the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. There should be a digital instrument cluster, a large infotainment screen, and some hard buttons included. A rough estimate of the rear area tells us the Hornet could offer 30 cubic feet of cargo room. That’s not quite up to the RAV4 and CR-V levels, but it’s pretty strong in this category.
Are You Looking Forward to the Dodge Hornet?
We have more questions than answers, but that’s to be expected with a vehicle we know so little about. As we come closer to the release date for the Hornet, we will learn about what this compact crossover SUV is expected to offer. Will it become a vehicle that sets the tone for the Dodge brand? Or will it be short-lived and misunderstood? The Hornet is entering the right market; let’s hope it’s entering at the right time to become a success for Dodge.
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