Not long ago, Dodge released a crossover subcompact SUV that pushed the envelope further with remarkable power, which is why the Hornet that you’ll buy at a Dodge dealer like ourselves is considered a performance CUV by both drivers and Dodge alike.

Although the Hornet may be new to you, you’re not alone because the Hornet is new to most people, having been released in 2022, so many people like yourself are looking into why the Hornet may be their next vehicle. We’ve got the answers you’re looking for, so keep reading and you’ll learn everything you need to know about the Hornet and why you should consider it as the next car to go in your garage.

Rock You Like a Hurricane

The Dodge Hornet flies down the road with punchy acceleration accentuated by terrific horsepower and torque ratings. The power of the Hornet stems from the engine that comes with every model not incorporated with a PHEV powertrain—an engine dubbed "Hurricane." For a name implying a whirlwind of strength, that’s precisely what you get with this turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine and its nine-speed automatic transmission.

If you want a high-performing subcompact CUV, you can count on the Dodge Hornet, with variants like the 2024 model outputting 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which makes it the best-performing subcompact CUV on the market—at least from a horsepower perspective. The 2024 Dodge Hornet provides capability in more ways than raw statistics; AWD comes standard, so you can expect even torque distribution to all four wheels, which means that your Hornet will remain proficient, even if you’re driving on wet roads because of rain, snow, or ice. Trims with the turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine—the GT and GT Plus—can achieve 60 mph in only 6.5 seconds.

The horsepower and torque output of the 2024 Hornet is a treat, but it might have you thinking fuel efficiency may be lacking. With AWD coming standard, we don’t blame you for thinking this way. However, it’s a great thing the Hurricane engine is turbocharged because this means you’re not only getting the performance we mentioned, but you also get the benefit of sufficient fuel economy ratings: 21 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. This is all from a fuel tank that holds 13.5 gallons, with 4.2 gallons supplying 100 miles of travel, with a total travel range of 324 miles. There’s no doubt that you won’t be displeased with the performance you’d get from a Dodge Hornet, but there’s one more powertrain to discuss: the PHEV.

Plug Into Something New

The 2024 Dodge Hornet brings something fresh to the table, and if you wish to plug in, then look no further than the PHEV powertrain. PHEVs are hybrid models, meaning you’ll still be putting gasoline in the tank, but your gas engine accompanies a battery and electric motor. However, unlike your average hybrid, which recharges by capturing expended kinetic energy during braking, there’s a slot that can be plugged into a charging outlet because the battery can be used as a backlog of available travel range if you need to save gas—or, in the worst-case scenario if you’re out of gas and need to get to a gas station.

Before we discuss the fuel ratings and mileage range, let’s discuss the power of the PHEV Hornet. The 2024 Hornet with the PHEV powertrain places a turbocharged 1.3L I-4 engine under the hood, accompanied by an electric motor and a 15.5-kWh battery. Paired with this combination is a six-speed automatic transmission, so you don’t have to worry about CVTs with the Hornet, in case that’s a concern of yours. Performance is stellar with the PHEV powertrain, and it turns the Hornet into the most performant subcompact CUV in both horsepower and torque output, with 288 hp and a solid 383 lb-ft of torque, and the ability to reach 60 mph in even less time than the GT trims: 5.6 seconds.

Although the tank size of the PHEV Hornet is slightly lower than the traditional configuration (with an 11.2-gal fuel tank), it’ll save you a fair amount of money. Solely speaking of the gas in the tank, the 2024 Hornet earns fuel economy ratings of 29 MPG combined, and with the hybrid components, this turns into 77 MPGe combined.

In this configuration, the 2024 Hornet can travel a total range of 360 miles, and you can go 33 miles on electric power alone. If, for any reason, you need to switch over to the battery as your primary resource, the beauty of PHEVs takes effect, so you can travel without the need for fuel, which will be plenty to get you to the next gas station.

A Technological Showstopper

The Dodge Hornet was released in 2022, so by the time it was released, if it didn’t have tech that could compete with other CUVs in its price range, it could easily fall by the wayside. That’s not the case with the Hornet because Dodge already had a slew of technology it could incorporate from other models in the lineup that have been the culmination of decades of research and development.

As a result, some of the best features that have been a part of the Dodge Hornet since its release have been in its technology, like the large 10.25-inch infotainment center or even larger Driver Information Digital Cluster Display that spans 12.0 inches and replaces your gauges with fully dynamic and digital ones, along with room for navigation directions and more helpful amenities.

Inside every Dodge Hornet since its release is an ultrawide infotainment center, so the screen’s length is stretched more horizontally, which also allows for a shorter vertical portion of the screen. This helps with creating some decent space between apps and buttons so you can ensure you’re pressing the right icon on the first try more often, which can be a problem with other infotainment centers. Not to mention, it lends a less cumbersome aesthetic and is visually pleasing, to boot.

The infotainment center in the Dodge Hornet is a significant reason the vehicle is forward-looking and why it also hasn’t seen an overhaul from the preceding model. Two of the features that most of you will be pleased to find are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which run fluidly—and, thanks to the aforementioned screen aspect ratio, apps are evenly spread across the display, allowing for a total of ten apps displayed on every page, at two rows of five apps each. Many people download apps to their infotainment centers because they prefer third-party apps like navigation software such as Waze or music streaming apps like Spotify, and it all works great on the Hornet’s infotainment center.

Should the Hornet Be Your Next Car?

There’s no denying the Hornet is a fantastic vehicle. Subcompact CUVs are versatile machines, but the Hornet is resetting expectations and has provided drivers with an exceptional experience. The Hornet isn’t highly priced either, making it even more appealing when stacked up against subcompacts from other manufacturers.

One slight problem with the Hornet—which is no fault of its own and will certainly be alleviated over time—is that it doesn’t have the seniority born from years of experience in the hands of drivers. However, that doesn’t matter with the Hornet because, instead of a base hit, the Hornet was a homerun on the first swing—and with the type of quality each Hornet model has been built with, you’re taking less of a risk purchasing a relatively new vehicle like the Hornet than you may with other manufacturers who often need a generation or so to rectify mistakes made during the first generation. This is not the case with the Hornet, and with no second generation even in public discussion, buying the 2024 Hornet is a safe bet because Dodge is unlikely to make any drastic changes anytime soon.

So, should the Hornet be your next car? Undoubtedly.