The Hornet is Dodge’s smaller crossover SUV, a sportier and decidedly costlier rival to the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, and Mazda CX-30.
The Hornet is fun to drive and interesting to look at, though it can be quite expensive against like-size competitors. It earns a TCC Rating of 6.4 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
Not much. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are now included with the Track Pack option on Hornet GT models.
The Hornet’s styling is quite similar to that of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, which is no surprise since the two models leave the same Italian factory one after the other. It has some American cues, like a pinched grille and narrow headlights that somewhat recall the automaker’s new Charger. Overall, though, the Hornet is pleasant if far from distinct outside. Inside, the cabin’s handsome and trimmed in materials that best less expensive competitors.
The Hornet comes in two flavors: GT with its zippy 268-hp turbo-4 and the quicker, plug-in hybrid Hornet R/T with its smaller turbo-4 bolted to a pair of electric motors. You’ll find a somewhat clumsy 9-speed automatic transmission in the GT, while the R/T has a smoother 6-speed automatic. Still, the R/T’s powertrain can struggle to shift between gasoline and electric power, which makes driving smoothly a challenge.
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All models are nimble and fun, and they ride pretty well even with the available 20-inch alloy wheels. Neither is remotely off-road-ready, though all-wheel drive is standard.
The GT isn’t particularly thrifty at 24 mpg combined. R/T models offer up to 33 miles of range on a full charge and 29 mpg combined thereafter, which is quite good.
Inside, the Hornet has a classy interior with nice materials and comfortable front seats. The rear seat is spacious enough, but the door openings are too small. Behind them, the cargo area is decent but not particularly spacious—and the R/T’s battery pack takes away about four cubic feet.
Hornets are quite well-equipped with driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control. A package adds a more robust suite of driving assistance tech plus a surround-view camera system.
The 2025 Hornet has not yet been crash tested.
How much does the 2025 Dodge Hornet cost?
Dodge offers the Hornet in GT, GT Plus, R/T, and R/T Plus models. The GT starts at about $33,000 and the Hornet can climb to about $55,000 for an R/T plug-in hybrid with every option selected. It’s a decent enough value its lower GT trims, though, with a good infotainment system, plenty of crash-avoidance and driver-assistance tech, a nice interior.
Where is the 2025 Dodge Hornet made?
In Naples, Italy, alongside the Alfa Romeo Tonale.
