It’s official: the Dodge Hornet is making a comeback for the 2023 model year, offered as a compact utility vehicle (CUV) with an electrified touch.
The 2023 Dodge Hornet was revealed on Tuesday, August 16th, at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, as part of the brand’s “Speed Week” celebrations. It’s their first electrified performance vehicle and, according to the automaker, the Hornet will be “the quickest, fastest, most powerful compact utility vehicle under $30,000.”
That’s a tall order to fill, but even a quick glance at the Hornet’s powertrain and you know Dodge isn’t fooling around. There will be two powertrain options offered, including the brand’s premiere plug-in hybrid. That goes to the aptly named Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV, powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine and a 90kW electric motor tethered to a 15.5kWh battery. It all adds up to “285-plus” horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, along with an all-electric range of more than 30 miles, distributed to the standard all-wheel drive system through a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a “powerShot” feature that provides a temporary boost of 25 ponies and instant torque, said to shave a whole second off 0-60mph times– down to 6.1 seconds.
Another available powertrain is for the Hornet GT; this is the entry-level model boasting a starting MSRP under $30K, and it’s driven by a Hurricane4 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. It produces “265-plus” horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, sent through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the, again, standard all-wheel drive system. The Hornet GT is capable of 0-60 mph sprints of 6.5 seconds.
No matter which model is picked, the Hornet struts about with a toned profile, chiseled out like a proper muscle vehicle would be. This is the first Dodge to receive an illuminated “Dodge Rhombi” logo. The interior carries the performance motif with a driver-centric layout, tipping controls toward the operator. GT Plus and R/T Plus models receive leather seating as standard, but Track Pack-optioned Hornets get Alcantara.
At the M1 Concourse, a special Hornet GT GLH Concept spent its time under the spotlight in order to display MOPAR’s “Direct Connection” support for the new model. Direct Connection recently returned as the brand’s factory-backed performance upgrade house, offering various enhancements for Dodge owners. In the case of the Hornet, performance-minded customers will be able to trick out their ride with a little extra sting via suspension lowering kits, unrestricted dual exhaust, special graphics and painted parts, and stackable performance upgrades.
We recently covered some spy photos of the 2023 Hornet in testing, discussing its rumored sharings with the Alfa Romeo Tonale. Well, the new Hornet does build off of the Tonale’s platform and hybrid offerings, but we’re happy to see the Hornet served up by Dodge as a bespoke-enough product.
If the reveal of the 2023 Dodge Hornet has you ready to pounce on your local dealer for an allocation, you might be in luck; orders for the Hornet GT are open today, August 17th, and will arrive at dealer lots this winter. The Hornet R/T will arrive in spring 2023.
Keyword: Dodge Hornet Returns for 2023; Hybrid Offering Launches Electrified Performance Future