2023 Dodge Hornet: First Plug-in Hybrid Electric Powertrain SUV (Overview)

Dodge will get back into the small crossover SUV market with the all-new Hornet. This new Dodge will offer a choice of engines, including a plug-in hybrid, and deliver more power than any other compact crossover SUV on the market. In addition to its impressive power, the Hornet will come with a feature-filled cabin with all the technology drivers and passengers will want or need. Let’s take a closer look at the 2023 Hornet, Dodge’s first electric performance SUV and one of its most important vehicles to arrive in over ten years.

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Is the 2023 Dodge Hornet Fully Electric?

The Dodge Hornet will come in the GT and the R/T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) at its initial release. The entry-level GT will have 17-inch alloy wheels, plastic body cladding, and eight inches of ground clearance. The R/T PHEV will come with a bold and sporty exterior design, a dual exhaust around the back, painted side cladding, and a ride height that’s almost two inches lower than the GT.

The Blacktop Package gives buyers who like a more aggressive look a Hornet they’ll love. This package adds gloss black badging, black mirror caps, and 18-inch Abyss alloy wheels. The optional Track Pack is also available for the GT and R/T PHEV models. It adds extra performance features to the Hornet for a more dynamic driving experience. This package includes 20-inch Abyss wheels, sporty red Brembo brake calipers, and the Dodge logo. It also comes with Dodge’s Dual Stage Valve Suspension to improve the already excellent handling. It also has Alcantara sport seats and aluminum interior accents to complete the look.

The Exterior Look

From the outside, you can’t miss the Hornet’s connection to the Alpha Romeo Tonale, but the Hornet is still very much a Dodge. One of the most apparent differences is the heat extractors on the hood, which resemble the design of classic Dodge muscle cars. In the front, the Hornet has a narrow set of headlights with upside-down boomerang-looking accent lighting. In the back, the taillight stretches across the vehicle’s full width.

The Powertrains

The first of the two powertrains for the Hornet is for the GT. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas-powered engine puts out 268 horsepower and delivers 295 pound-feet of torque. Dodge pairs this engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and it comes standard with all-wheel drive. A Sport driving mode sharpens the steering and stiffens the suspension for a sportier ride. Acceleration with this gas engine is quick, with a time of zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds.

The R/T PHEV gets the plug-in hybrid powertrain. This consists of a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gas-powered engine and a 90-kW electric motor that powers the rear axle. These combine to generate 288 horsepower and get 383 pound-feet of torque. It works with a six-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with all-wheel drive. A 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery will help drivers achieve an all-electric driving range of 30 miles, but that’s not the best part of this powertrain. It also has what Dodge calls the PowerShot boost. This will boost power output by 25 horsepower from the electric motor. When activated, it reduces the zero to 60 mph time by one second, which means the acceleration with this powertrain will go from 6.1 seconds to 5.1 seconds. Once activated, PowerShot remains active for 15 seconds.

Dodge Hornet Interior Design

The Hornet has a sporty cabin with room for up to five. The black interior has red accent stitching to add to its look, which extends through the seats to the vents, and the center switches. Black upholstery comes standard with leather in the GT Plus and R/T Plus models. Despite the Hornet’s small size, it has spacious seating in both rows, and rear seat passengers will enjoy plenty of head and legroom.

The cargo area has plenty of space, with a 27 cubic foot storage area behind the rear seats in the GT, which expands to 54.7 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The R/T has slightly less storage space but still offers 22.9 cubic feet of cargo area behind the rear seats and 50.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Inside, the Hornet driver and passengers will also find the latest technology. It comes with a 10.25-inch infotainment touch screen in the center of the dash and a 12.3-inch digital driver information display. The infotainment system has the latest Uconnect 5, including customizable features and controls for the best possible user experience. The system will simultaneously pair two phones and works with Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto. It also comes standard with Amazon Alexa, which works with an Alexa device to remotely lock and unlock the Hornet and complete other vehicle interactions.

The Hornet will offer a Harman Kardon stereo system and a wireless phone charging station if you bump up to one of the Plus trims. The 10.25-inch screen located in front of the driver makes it easy to access the Dodge Performance Pages. This allows you to keep track of all the information about your Hornet, from the G-Force to the temperature and more.

The Safety Features

There’s no question that driver assist safety features will come standard on the new Hornet. All models will have forward collision warning with automatic braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. Lane departure warning with lane-keep assist also comes standard. The available Tech Package adds even more driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control with lane centering,

Other available safety technologies include a 360-degree surround-view camera system, semi-automatic parking, driver attention assist, and an active driving assist feature.

Find out more about the 2023 Dodge Hornet by calling or stopping by Performance CJDR Centerville. You can also contact us online or give us a call at (937) 519-3542 for more information. The Hornet2023 Dodge Hornet: First Plug-in Hybrid Ele SUV is an exciting addition to the Dodge lineup and the first all-new Dodge model in many years. The GT is currently available to order and will arrive later in 2022.

Image Credits: 2023 Hornet via Dodge