Dodge unboxes 2023 Hornet compact SUV

Dubbed as the gateway to Dodge’s Brotherhood of Muscle, the 2023 Hornet is a beefed-up compact sport utility vehicle (SUV).

According to the Stellantis-owned automotive brand, the all-new Hornet is “building buzz with a distinctive Dodge combination of muscular styling wrapped around best-in-class standard performance from a multi-energy powertrain roster and a swarm of class-exclusive performance features.”

Revealed last Tuesday at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, Dodge announced that the compact SUV will have two variants:  the purely fuel-fed Dodge Hornet GT (powered by a Hurricane4 engine)  and the range-topping Dodge Hornet R/T plug-in hybrid model.

The former uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection and engine stop-start technology mated to a fully-electronic nine-speed transmission making a little over 265 horses while the latter is powered by a combination of a 1.3-liter turbocharged all-aluminum engine and a 90-kilowatt (kW) electric motor with a 15.5-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery pack that generates around 285 horsepower (hp).

The roster’s top-tier model is being touted as the industry’s quickest, fastest, and most powerful utility vehicle under US$30,000 (about P1.678 million).

“The Dodge brand’s electrified transformation has left the starting line, with the all-new Dodge Hornet R/T representing the first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge,” said Dodge Brand Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tim Kuniskis.

“The Dodge Hornet is poised to jolt the mainstream compact utility vehicle segment with looks, feel, and performance that is unmistakably Dodge. Hornet shakes up the status quo with aggressive Dodge styling, the most power in the segment from our multi-energy lineup, the best driving dynamics, a full lineup of segment-exclusive performance features, and the best standard technology, as well as available Direct Connection factory-backed performance upgrades. And this is just the start of the Dodge brand’s electrification journey,” the Dodge chief executive added.

Both the GT and R/T variants come with their own sets of swag.

Up front, the base model is fitted with a hood with heat extractors and a “mail slot”-style grille. The mail slot also reinforces the horizontal brow of the upper grille. Flanked by two smaller inserts, these design elements telegraph a mission of performance and functionality while also delivering a muscular front-end appearance that follows the look of the Dodge vehicle lineup.

Also seen at the fore are signature headlamps with LED reflectors and an illuminated signature daytime running lights.

A unique new exterior Hornet badge on the fender celebrates the revival of the Hornet — a name first used on the famed Hudson Hornet in the 1950s and again in 2006 as a popular Dodge concept vehicle — and joins the current iconic Dodge badging lineup, such as Scat Pack, Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye.

Further on the side are matte black molded-in color lower cladding and valances. It rides on 17-inch silver alloy wheels.

The rear side of the Hornet GT comes tail lamps that extend the width of the vehicle and has a lighted red signature, as well as an illuminated Dodge Rhombi logo in the center — featured for the first time on a Dodge vehicle.

The R/T builds on the exterior of the GT and receives unique new Abyss painted lower cladding and rear valance with integrated dual exhaust ports. It also comes with 18-inch Graphite Grey alloy wheels.

Available for both the GT and the R/T is the optional external panel sunroof. Additionally, Dodge offers a Blacktop package for both grades that add 18-inch Abyss alloy wheels, Gloss Black badging and mirror caps, and Gloss Black painted daylight opening (DLO) molding. Similarly, customers can opt to have either the GT or the R/T equipped with the most performance-oriented configuration available for the compact SUV, the Track Pack package. This option offers upgrades such as 20-inch Abyss wheels as well as additional performance and interior features.

Inside, the two variants have a cabin that continues the exterior styling cues. Red stitching accents, standard on Hornet, flow throughout the black interior, including on the mid-bolster, seats, and armrest. Trimmings on the vents and center switches provide a slim, technical detail that enhances the performance appearance of the interior.

Customers who chose to add the Track Pack option can expect to get class-exclusive Alcantara seats, with an embroidered Dodge Rhombi logo. The racing-oriented Alcantara seats have unique “red crust” accents that visually burst out and gradually fade, highlighting the unique Alcantara seat perforation.

Moreover, the  Dodge Hornet is fitted with a 12.3-inch digital cockpit cluster screen and the standard 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system central display found on the dash and past its steering wheel.  Combined, Dodge’s latest entry into the US compact utility vehicle (CUV) segment offers 22.5 inches of in-vehicle display screen space.

The 10.25-inch main screen also serves as a monitor for the Dodge Hornet’s three-level parking assistance with acoustic and visual warnings. Standard technologies include four rear parking sensors along with a high-definition backup camera with guidelines, with additional available parking assistance on the available Tech Pack.

The Tech Pack also includes optional Level 2 autonomous driving features like Intelligent Speed Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Attention Assist, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC), and Lateral Control/Lane Support.

Order books for the 2023 Hornet GT, per the Michigan-based automotive brand, will open on August 17. The Dodge Hornet GT will begin arriving in dealer showrooms later in the year, while the R/T variation is scheduled to hit showrooms between March to June next year. The all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet will be built at the Giambattista Vico Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, Italy.

Photos from Dodge

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