Compact crossovers aren’t usually an enthusiastic product. It’s the default option, the product people nowadays imagine when the phrase “daily commute” appears. But Dodge totally missed that note, because the first thing it takes pride in when discussing the 2023 Hornet compact CUV is the fact that it’s “the fastest, most powerful compact SUV worth under $30,000.” Oh, and it’s electrified, too.
Let’s do like evades And start with the powertrain because there are some interesting things going on. Al-Qaeda Hornet GT It’s also what Dodge describes in the quote above, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a nine-speed automatic. It has 265 horsepower (198 kW) and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm) of torque, enough to hit 60 in 6.5 seconds. This is as fast as a file Mini Cooper S. And yes, the price will start at less than $30,000, although Dodge doesn’t share much pricing information beyond that.
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Perhaps the more forward-looking Hornet R/T is the second plug-in hybrid engine to come out of the Auburn Hills in a decade. The front axle is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine picked from Jeep Renegade/Fiat 500 X While there is a 90 kW electric motor above the rear axle. Between the two is a 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, which takes just 2.5 hours to recharge via a 7.4 kW charging unit and packs enough electrons to cover 35 miles when fully squeezed.
The gas-electric combination is powered by a six-speed automatic transmission and features an integrated starter alternator for improved low-end response. Stretch the legs of the Hornet R/T and you’ll find 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, thanks to a combined powertrain of 285 hp (213 kW) and 383 lb-ft (519 Nm). But you will only do this specific action if you are using PowerShot.
Dodge claims that the system, which is activated by pulling both the wheel-mounted paddle shifters and the accelerator floor, produces an additional 25 horsepower from the engine for up to 15 seconds and provides instant torque (although this is a sort of deal with electric motors). , so it’s hard to tell what Dodge means here – we’ll try to get to the bottom of it). PowerShot cuts a second of run down to 60 mph. Both Hornet models also feature dynamic torque vectoring, although it’s unclear if it’s brake-based or something more advanced.
Giving power to the vehicle without the suspension and brakes to back it up is 1968, so Dodge also fits all Hornet R/Ts with Koni FSD dampers, fully independent suspension at both ends, and a Brembo brake package that includes vented and four-piston discs at the front. Black calipers are standard, though a track package is available for both R/T and GT that adds a red paint job (the only way to score Brembos on a gas-only model). And because the hornet is closely related to Alfa Romeo TonaliDodge claims best-in-class body rigidity with excellent weight distribution.
Dodge is also rethinking the in-cabin experience, delivering a 22.6-inch class-leading screen real estate standard. The breakdown shows a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster instead of physical gauges, as well as a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Uconnect 5. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard with wireless connectivity. Truly, the Hornet fulfills the basic requirements of a modern and successful infotainment package. There are even different themes for the digital set.
While Dodge will open orders for the 2023 Hornet, well above the $30,000 target, no pricing information has been released as of publication. We’re also in the dark about the fuel economy of both engines. But while those question marks loom large, the hardware on how to drive the Hornet looks incredibly impressive. Dodge has spent a long time without a compact crossover, but this renewed effort appears designed to make a splash in a normally stationary sector.
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