The car is cheaper and more powerful than the competition, plus it comes with a boost function – this hands-on experience shows how it looks up close.
Dodge released a commercial recently which got everyone either ranting about or complimenting the new Dodge Hornet crossover – a car which shares its platform with the Alfa Romeo Tonale and is plenty divisive.
It’s perhaps not the actual car which divides opinion so much as Dodge’s inclination to call the SUV a muscle car at the same time we are mourning the death of the Dodge Charger and Challenger.
We’re told the R/T version will deliver performance, fun and style with its hybrid powertrain; but the proof is in the tasting of the pudding and thanks to TFLCar on YouTube (The Fast Lane Car) we can see how the R/T looks up close and personal in the flesh.
Here’s what the host of the popular channel makes of the hybrid, crossover successor to the Dodge Charger.
The 2023 Dodge Hornet Hybrid Is A Perplexing Proposition
You could argue then that the Hornet is only a confusing model when viewed through the lens of Stellantis’ marketing – perhaps taken as a hybrid crossover it makes more sense.
Yet the Dodge Hornet R/T is a performance model which will be Dodge’s only fast 4-door model after the demise of the Charger aside from the more-expensive Durango’s elite trims.
As such the R/T Hornet needs to deliver and as the host of the video says, usually crossovers just feel like jacked-up station wagons with sub-par handling and performance. The Hornet R/T aims to change that with upgraded brakes, suspension, and a powertrain that is in a ‘class of one’. It is more powerful than anything else in the segment for the price.
The reviewer goes through the list of competing crossovers such as the Honda HR-V and nothing comes close – but how does the vehicle provide value for money and tantalizing performance?
Walking around, TFLCar show off the paint and bodywork which have hints of the Durango and Charger about it, the sculpted hood with active vents and trim-specific wheels and tires all suggest performance.
What We Should Know About The 2023 Dodge Hornet R/T
Practicality-wise the trunk has up to 22 cubic-feet of space which is average, the rear seats are moderately comfortable and the interior of the cabin up front is classy especially with the R/T seats and trim; but it’s pretty similar to other Dodges as well.
The interesting 30 hp boost function gets explained which is worth a listen as well, potentially being one of the more useful features of the Hornet R/T, a car which comes with 288 hp and 283 lb-ft. Dodge’s Hornet GT has 20 hp and 88 lb-ft less than the R/T model and retails from $31,000 while the R/T model costs from $41,000.
Mazda’s CX-30 comes close with 250 hp for $35,000 which is cheaper than the R/T by some $6,000, trading-off horsepower for an impressive 320 lb-ft of torque. In the end, TFLCar say that the drive will be one of the deciding factors, something that will have to wait for another episode.
The Dodge Hornet R/T is relatively-fast for the segment, capable of 0-60 mph in the 6-second range.
