2024 Hornet R/T Monitor Pack EAWD
Class: Compact Crossover
Passenger capability: 5
Shade: 8 Ball
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Economic system | A |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | B- |
| Tall Man | B- |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 302-horsepower, 2.5-liter |
| Engine Kind | 4-cylinder, plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | CVT Computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles pushed: 137
Actual-world gas economic system: 30.9 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 77 MPGe/29 mpg (metropolis/freeway mixed)
EPA-estimated EV vary: 33 miles
Gas kind: Common gasoline beneficial
Base worth: $41,400 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices: Monitor Pack ($2595)
Value as examined: $45,590
Fast Hits
The good: Spectacular energy, environment friendly operation
The great: Loads of energy, stylish cabin, easy infotainment-control system
The not so good: Agency journey, crude drivetrain operation
Tom Appel:
Dodge dropped the growing older however succesful Journey from its lineup again in 2020. Powered by a 173-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, the compact 3-row crossover was well-liked with household buyers, however out of step with Dodge’s sporty core mission.
With out the Journey, the Dodge lineup was slightly skinny, consisting of simply the Durango midsize crossover, and the performance-oriented Challenger and Charger automobiles. And whereas–due to an infinite parade of particular editions–Dodge was in a position to transfer a major variety of the automobiles, the Durango was and stays a comparatively gradual vendor.
So, when Dodge rolled out the Hornet small crossover for 2023, it might appear logical that the car can be slightly sporty, and lots household pleasant, this to drive gross sales quantity, and compete kind of straight with hot-sellers just like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, that’s not likely occurred…
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Beginning at $34,000, the Hornet’s base worth is almost $10,000 increased than that of the Journey, and with not less than 266 horsepower below the hood, the latest Dodge was something however pedestrian. Additionally, the Journey’s 3rd-row seat was gone, as was any pretense of economical motoring.
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Certainly, the Hornet was a completely completely different animal. Although actually sensible sufficient for small-family conveyance, the brand new “entry” Dodge was every part the Journey was not: Sporty, trendy, and even slightly luxurious.
Mechanically associated to the not too long ago launched Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet is constructed alongside that car on the Stellantis Giambattista Vico meeting facility in Naples, Italy. Apparently, the 2 crossovers are so comparable, that Wikipedia has a mixed single web page for the autos.
For 2024, the Hornet is obtainable with two drivetrains which outline the trim ranges. Hornet GT and GT Plus fashions are powered by a 266-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylindet engine which mates to a 9-speed computerized transmission. The Hornet R/T (additionally accessible in base and Plus trim ranges) is a plug-in hybrid which mates a turbocharged 1.3-liter engine, electrical motors, a CVT-automatic transmission, and a 15.5-kWh battery. Absolutely charged, the R/T will journey an EPA-estimated 33 miles earlier than the gasoline engine kicks in. Each the GT and R/T come solely with AWD.
Some time again Client Information spent a while with a Hornet GT Plus, you’ll be able to learn that assessment right here. Extra not too long ago, we spent every week with the plug-in hybrid R/T in 8-Ball (black), and outfitted with the $2595 Monitor Pack choice group. All informed, our take a look at automobile got here to $45,590, together with the vacation spot cost.
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Hornet performs on the small facet of the compact-crossover phase, and whereas that makes for a sportier, extra tossable car, it does take a toll on rear-seat passenger house. Up entrance, there’s loads of room for even bigger and taller occupants, and entry and exiting are easy sufficient. The seats are agency and comfy, and supportive sufficient for lengthy journeys. Additionally, outward visibility is sweet in each course.
The cabin presents properly for a $45,000 small crossover. Supplies are typically excessive grade and mushy contact, and the contrasting pink stitching in our take a look at car lent the proceedings a sporty character.
Hornet makes use of the Stellantis Uconnect 5 digital interface, and the programs is refreshingly easy to make use of and glitch free. The dashtop touchscreen is straightforward to learn, even in brilliant mild—and the icons are brilliant and recognizable. In the course of the take a look at interval our Bluetooth connection remained intact, one thing we’ve not been in a position to say about different not too long ago examined Uconnect programs.
On the transfer the Hornet R/T is a combined bag, and its sporty character inconsistent because the car strikes between electrical drive and hybrid operation. In pure EV mode, Hornet is clean, quiet, and fast. Like most EVs, the facility supply is silky clean, and throttle response fast and satisfying. Sadly, as soon as that cost depletes, the Hornet’s small and pressured engine takes over, churning out almost as a lot noise as energy.
Now, absolutely depress the throttle and the drivetrain serves up loads of passing and merging muscle. Nevertheless, round down operation is erratic, with energy supply typically delayed, complicating fast strikes into site visitors and round slower-moving autos. That stated, the hybrid drivetrain delivers glorious gas economic system. Absolutely charged simply as soon as over our week-long analysis, the Hornet averaged nearly 31 mpg, spectacular for a virtually 300-horsepower AWD crossover.
The Hornet handles properly, nevertheless, with nice steering really feel (for a small crossover) and athletic cornering. Trip high quality is usually good, although the suspension is topic to a specific amount of pounding over bigger street imperfections, and the car by no means fairly settles in on much less then completely surfaced highways. Be aware that the Monitor Pack upgrades the usual 18-inch wheels and tires to 20-inch models, firming up the journey a bit. When you’re within the Hornet, make sure to take a look at drive an instance with the identical wheel-and-tire bundle because the car you plan to buy.
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Whereas we admire—and even appreciated the Hornet R/T’s moxie, we discover the plug-in hybrid powertrain—regardless of the facility—inconsistent with this Dodge crossover’s sporty mission. We a lot want the Hornet GT’s extra satisfying 2.0-liter turbo engine, which delivers higher throttle response, and extra available energy in routine driving. And, we remind buyers that the Hornet is absolutely extra sporty than household pleasant, a reality which can go well with the choose viewers this car ought to attraction to only effective.
Be aware that the same Alfa Romeo Tonale is obtainable solely with the plug-in hybrid drivetrain. When you discover the Hornet R/T interesting, however are drawn to the near-exotic nature of the Alfa Romeo model, make certain and take a look at drive a Tonale as properly.
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2024 Dodge Hornet R/T Plus Gallery
(Click on under for enlarged photos)
