When we got the news here at Landmark Dodge of Morrow that a new SUV was arriving soon to the lineup, some eager fans might not have quite expected it to grace the stage with a unique Italian accent. Deciding to kick up its heels smartly and not follow a typical path, the Dodge Hornet shares a platform with the fire-breathing and eccentric Alfa Romeo Tonale. Auto YouTuber Ben Hardy is a very respected expert in cyberspace that was thrilled to get the chance to get behind the wheel and share his thoughts.
His latest video sees him getting to check out the overall stance and performance of a gold 2023 Dodge Hornet GT, equipped with a turbocharged 4-cylinder 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 that cranks out 268 horsepower. This all-wheel drive and aggressive number’s powertrain is paired with A 9 speed 940 ATE automatic transmission, and the minute Ben prepares to dive in he is very clearly taken aback from the start. He illustrates that the LED lights, advanced, black front grills, Abyss finish aluminum wheels, red brake calipers, and black fender flares offer up a well-blended contrast through the metallic gold paint dip.
This compact crossover also comes equipped with adequate trunk space that is nearly on par with the always outdoor-ready Jeep Compass. As emerging modern technology has allowed for opportunities to provide a unique means of customization, the Hornet shows off its own brand of flair with an illuminated dodge badge and LED strip taillights at the rear. Inside there is very cool black leather upholstery with unique red stitching, along with Alcantara inserts.
Drivers are now expecting a fair number of extras when they purchase a modern SUV, and the Hornet delivers full-on with items such as a 360-camera option and a well-engineered dash. When Ben fires up the engine and hits the road, he immediately opts for Sport mode and pushes the limits as far as he can within the confines of city pavement. The transmission performance, handling, and suspension all received his highest form of praise, and he deemed the Hornet an immediate and enthralling champion.
While it thoroughly qualifies as a performance hybrid, the Hornet doesn’t need to rely solely on fire-breathing horsepower as its driving differentiator. It is not as thoroughly defined by muscle as its partners in the forms of the Dodge Challenger and Charger, but still loves to play the ace in the hole when it comes to the Powershot feature that unleashes 30 extra horsepower for an impromptu fast wrap. The J.D. Power review team excitedly claimed that the Hornet is “a breath of fresh air in a segment that is unfortunately stuffed with lookalike act-alike vehicles.”
Opting for the GT Plus adds a power-operated liftgate, sunroof, ventilated front seats, and other useful convenience and luxury items. Even though this can serve as a family-friendly errand machine, equipping the Hornet with the Tech and Track Packs add 20-inch alloy wheels, Brembo front brake calipers, a surround-view camera system, and a level II active driving-assist system. The interior is spacious enough for five adult passengers, with inspiration for the instrument panel being drawn from the Dodge Durango midsize SUV. Occupants can also connect two smartphones at once and use the always-on-point Alexa to enable at-home systems.
