Dodge Hornet (2025)

Savagegeese is cautiously impressed by the Dodge Hornet, but ultimately skeptical of its long-term case. They praise the sharp acceleration, standard AWD, improved interior, responsive handling, quiet cabin, and R/T’s useful plug-in-hybrid range. Yet the Hornet feels like a refined Jeep Compass underneath, with limited cargo room, occasional infotainment glitches, a clumsy brake-by-wire system, intrusive stability controls, and questionable practicality versus proven rivals. Their distinctive takeaway is that Dodge has made the best product it could from aging hardware—but its sporty marketing feels more convincing than the underlying driving experience.

The Car Care Nut is cautiously negative on the Dodge Hornet, appreciating its smooth, quick plug-in-hybrid system but questioning its purpose and long-term durability. He finds the unusual front- and rear-motor layout technically clever, with roughly 30 miles of real-world electric range and seamless power delivery. However, the drivetrain’s complexity, sprawling coolant and refrigerant lines, questionable serviceability, mediocre practicality, cramped passenger space, inconsistent materials, and high price undermine its appeal. In his view, it is an interesting step for Dodge, but an unfinished-feeling Alfa Romeo Tonale in Dodge clothing rather than a compelling family or performance SUV.

Throttle House is clearly positive about the Dodge Hornet GT, calling it quick, engaging, playful, and reasonably priced. They praise its 268-hp turbo engine, standard AWD, sharp Alfa Romeo–influenced steering, well-controlled track-pack suspension, and appealing design. The enthusiasm is tempered by front-drive-biased torque steer, no shift paddles, narrow seats and cabin, limited rear-seat room, modest cargo width, and unremarkable materials. They also question long-term reliability versus a Mazda CX-5. Still, the Hornet’s fun, raised-hot-hatch character and strong performance make it an appealing alternative to more serious, practical crossovers.

Sarah-n-Tuned is warmly positive about the Dodge Hornet GT, especially its sleeper potential, lighter weight, strong midrange shove, and surprisingly capable handling. She appreciates the standard AWD, crisp Sport-mode shifts, functional hood vents, Brembo brakes, customizable tech, and distinctive Italian-influenced character, calling the mid-$30,000 configuration a strong value. Still, the low redline creates a strangely brief powerband, the transmission can feel confused in traffic, and the lack of paddle shifters or a manual option is disappointing. Maintenance access is frustrating, particularly the removable plastic lift covers and crowded engine bay. Overall, she sees an imperfect but enjoyable, mod-friendly performance crossover.

Doug DeMuro is positive about the Hornet’s quick acceleration, standard AWD, upscale Alcantara interior, and distinctive Italian roots. He especially enjoys its strong 290-hp plug-in-hybrid performance, useful PowerShot mode, configurable displays, and roughly 30 miles of electric driving. Still, his enthusiasm is measured: rear-seat and cargo space feel surprisingly cramped, the steering is lighter than the sporty chassis deserves, some controls seem dated or awkward, and the infotainment screen is small. With pricing approaching the better-looking Alfa Romeo Tonale, Doug views the Hornet as a good, unusual crossover—but a difficult value proposition, reflected in its 48/100 DougScore.

Matt is clearly impressed by the Dodge Hornet, calling it the segment’s most powerful, emotional, and dynamic compact SUV. He praises its quick 2.0-liter turbo, available R/T plug-in hybrid, standard AWD, strong towing capacity, sharp styling, modern screens, and competitive starting price. Still, his enthusiasm is measured: the ride is stiff, the cabin feels heavily borrowed from Alfa Romeo, there’s no head-up display, cargo space is modest, and rear-seat room is merely adequate. Overall, he sees the Hornet as an exciting, performance-focused bargain—especially for buyers willing to prioritize personality over refinement and practicality.

Tom Swiatek is lukewarm on the 2025 Dodge Hornet R/T, admiring its balanced chassis, smooth plug-in-hybrid transitions, comfortable cabin, and useful physical controls. The adaptive suspension makes it composed and relatively quiet, while standard eAWD adds confidence, but the roughly $54,000 tested price undermines its appeal. Swiatek finds the performance less exciting than the output suggests, rear-seat space surprisingly cramped, and FCA/Stellantis quality harder to trust than a Toyota RAV4 Prime. Overall, he sees a well-built, easy-to-live-with transition product—not a compelling value or especially inspiring performance SUV.

Ben Hardy is deeply negative on the Dodge Hornet, calling its execution a reliability disaster despite its promising concept. He praises the styling, attractive interior, physical controls, and compact, sportier character, but his 2024 R/T test vehicle repeatedly failed to start with only 2,000 miles. He also criticizes reported fit-and-finish and braking concerns, jerky plug-in-hybrid performance, excessive electronics, poor fuel-efficiency priorities, and steep depreciation from over $52,000 new to under $30,000 used. Hardy believes Dodge should keep pursuing small crossovers, but with simpler, more reliable powertrains and fewer electronic complications.

April’s Garage is overwhelmingly negative on the 2025 Dodge Hornet, calling its sales failure understandable. She acknowledges that the turbocharged Hornet is quick, nimble, enjoyable to drive, and has a nicely controlled suspension, distinctive styling, useful physical controls, and a thoughtfully arranged engine bay. But those strengths are outweighed by cramped cargo space, questionable interior fit and finish, sluggish infotainment, modest value, and an awkward identity as an Italian-built Dodge closely related to the Alfa Romeo Tonale. In her view, buyers can find cheaper, roomier, better-equipped alternatives, leaving the Hornet with little clear market appeal.

CarJuice is clearly enthusiastic about the 2025 Dodge Hornet GT. He praises its quick acceleration, sporty suspension, sharp styling, standard AWD, adaptive cruise control, and strong value around $35,000, calling it a compelling alternative to pricier crossovers. His hands-on review also finds the cabin practical, with useful seat-folding and pass-through features, though rear space is merely adequate and some interior materials feel cheap. He criticizes the sharp first-to-second shift, low-speed torque steer, modest brakes, shallow rear cupholders, and limited seat features. Overall, he rates it 8/10 and considers it worth serious consideration if long-term reliability holds up.

Kevin from Meyn Motor Group is strongly negative on the 2025 Dodge Hornet’s value, despite acknowledging its quick acceleration, standard AWD, and useful R/T plug-in-hybrid range. He considers the GT and R/T performance figures appealing, but criticizes the Hornet’s high weight, poor residual values, confusing incentives, steep pricing, and frustrating Stellantis dealer experience. His leasing analysis is the core of the review: unless buyers secure an unusually strong deal, he recommends looking elsewhere, particularly at the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid. Overall, the Hornet seems competent and interesting, but not worth the financial or ownership hassle.

Racer X is cautiously positive about the Dodge Hornet, despite its poor market reception. He enjoys the GT’s quick, “darty” handling, strong low-end punch, standard AWD, practical rear seat, and surprisingly appealing used pricing in the high teens or low $20,000s. He considers it far more engaging than a Toyota RAV4 and admits it is difficult to dislike as an affordable daily driver. Still, the Hornet feels unlike a traditional Dodge, occupies an awkward market niche, and has inconsistent owner reports ranging from trouble-free to frequent repairs. Overall, it’s a fun, overlooked bargain—provided buyers accept the reliability uncertainty.