2024 Dodge Hornet: Is Dodge Bringing Back The Hornet? The popularity of retro model name revivals may be attributed to the fact that these names conjure up images of bygone automobiles while also (ideally) conveying information about the personality of the current vehicle.
The Dodge Hornet is the most recent addition to the brand’s extensive catalog of venerable nameplates, which includes the Dart and the Charger. Dodge is bringing back the moniker “Hornet” to be used on a sophisticated new crossover SUV. The original “Hornet” was manufactured by the now-defunct Hudson automobile company in the 1950s.
The new Dodge Hornet is built on a platform that is quite similar to the one used by the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The R/T and the GT are the two basic trim levels that Dodge provides for this vehicle. According to the manufacturer, the GT is the quickest and the fastest SUV that costs less than $30,000.
The Hornet R/T is equipped with a one-of-a-kind plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain that allows for brief periods of electric boost.
Dodge claims that it cuts the time needed to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour by one full second. In addition to the standard equipment and amenities, the Plus configuration of each trim level comes with extra options.
Overview
The Dodge Hornet 2024 is Dodge’s next entry into the competitive market for compact crossover vehicles. This time around, rather than reskinning a Jeep Compass as it did with the hated Caliber, Dodge has opted to share a platform with a Stellantis-company relative, the Alfa Romeo Tonale.
This decision was made since the Caliber was not well received. Standard equipment includes a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and an automatic transmission with nine gears; however, the R/T variant is a plug-in hybrid with 285 horsepower and more than 30 miles of electric driving range.
Not only will the Dodge Hornet offer the brand’s first hybrid powertrain, but it will also boast the most high-tech equipment in the brand’s lineup, with standard features that include a digital gauge display, Uconnect 5 infotainment software, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian- and cyclist-detection capabilities.
It is anticipated that the nonhybrid GT versions will be on sale by the end of the year 2024, with the R/T PHEV vehicles following soon after at the beginning of the year 2024.
2024 Dodge Hornet Exterior
The Hornet is unmistakably a Dodge car, despite the fact that it is physically comparable to the Alfa Romeo Tonale in terms of both proportions and the majority of its fundamental construction.
The front end has slender headlamps and a stealthy grille, both of which are evocative of the front end of the Dodge Dart car. The lower bodywork of an R/T model is painted black, and the rear bumper of this model has twin exhaust outlets incorporated into it.
The taillight fixture of the SUV extends over the width of the vehicle and illuminates a Dodge emblem in its center. This can be found at the rear of the vehicle. Both the SRT and the R/T get unique Hornet badging on the fenders, and according to Dodge, the R/badging T’s has a hidden easter egg that provides a hint about the vehicle’s electric engine.
2024 Dodge Hornet Interior
The cabin of the brand-new Hornet has been redesigned to have a more athletic appearance, and the controls and screens have been positioned so that they face the driver. The black inside of the SUV has a standard feature that consists of red stitching and accents, which can be seen on the seats, vents, and center switches.
The inside of the Hornet is upholstered in Alcantara, while Plus variants have leather. According to Dodge, the company made care to supply red leather for customers who were “wanted more Dodge attitude on the interior.”
2024 Dodge Hornet Specs
The 2024 Dodge Hornet is available with a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) as one of its powertrain options. The powertrain of the electrified R/T consists of a turbocharged 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine combined with a 90-kW electric motor that is mounted on the back axle.
The whole output comes in at 288 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque when combined. Both an all-wheel drive (AWD) system and a 6-speed automatic gearbox come as standard equipment.
The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain has a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 15.5 kWh that allows for an all-electric range of 30 miles; nevertheless, the “PowerShot” boost function is the focus of much of the attention.
The electric motor’s output may be increased by 25 horsepower thanks to a function that comes standard on the R/T. According to Dodge, with PowerShot engaged, the amount of time it takes for the Hornet to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour is cut by one full second. PowerShot may be engaged for a maximum of 15 seconds before requiring a cooling period of the same length.
The engine that comes standard on the Hornet GT is a turbocharged 4.0-liter inline-four that generates 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on all Dodge vehicles.
A Sport driving mode is available for the SUV, which, according to Dodge, honed the steering, tightened the throttle inputs, and made the suspension more rigid for Hornets that were fitted with the optional improved dampers. The manufacturer claims that the vehicle has high acceleration, which enables it to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds.
Both models have a set of Koni shocks, but the R/T model also has a set of Brembo 4-piston front brakes. Each of these trims include torque-vectoring all-wheel drive as standard equipment, and the dual-stage-valve suspension is included in the Track Pack, which is available for both of these trims.
As part of the launch of the Hornet, Dodge displayed a concept automobile called the Hornet GT GLH. In the 1980s, the manufacturer gave the Dodge Omni the GLH label for the first time, which stands for “goes like hell.” In order to demonstrate the many components and improvements that the firm provides at certain dealerships, Dodge installed it on the Hornet concept car.
Parts for the Dodge Direct Connection may be purchased from dealerships branded with the Power Brokers name. When fitted by a dealer, they do not render the Hornet’s warranty null and invalid, and the manufacturer has indicated that it would provide updates for the PHEV variant.
2024 Dodge Hornet Safety
The Hornet is equipped with a number of cutting-edge driver assistance technologies as standard equipment. These systems include automated emergency braking, blind-spot detection, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Parking sensors are also included as standard equipment and function in conjunction with the dynamic instructions provided by the rearview camera.
With the addition of the optional Tech Pack, the Hornet may be equipped with an autonomous driving system of level 2. It includes a driver monitoring system, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering aid, traffic-jam assist, and recognition of traffic signs.
2024 Dodge Hornet Technology
A digital instrument cluster of 12.3 inches and an infotainment touchscreen measuring 10.25 inches is standard on the Hornet. The Uconnect 5 software, which is based on Android and provides fully customized interfaces as well as controls for the climate control system, is what this system uses. The technology allows for the simultaneous pairing of two phones, and it has wireless versions of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Amazon Alexa is included as a standard feature in Uconnect 5, and it allows remote engine start, lock/unlock, and other vehicle interactions with the use of an Alexa device. Hornet Plus variants come included with a wireless phone charging pad and a sound system manufactured by Harman Kardon. There is an option for both heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
2024 Dodge Hornet Competitors
The Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, and Mazda CX-30 are among the many other vehicles with which the 2024 Dodge Hornet competes. It approaches the subcompact SUV market with a more athletic mindset, in contrast to competitors like the Mazda, which provide a more upmarket driving experience.
Even though it is brand new for 2024 and is built on a Civic platform, which lends it amazing balance and poise, the Honda HR-V is not very exciting and does not yet provide a hybrid or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) option.