The Dodge Hornet is a compact crossover SUV marketed by Dodge exclusively in North America starting with the 2023 model year. The five-door, five-passenger, all-wheel drive vehicle is the brand's smallest model. The Hornet is produced in Italy and is a platform-mate and rebadged variant of the Alfa Romeo Tonale.
The Dodge Hornet model name is a legacy trademark.[9][10][11] It originated with the Hudson Hornet (1951–1957), a full-size car that gained fame due to its dominance in NASCAR stock car racing in the early 1950s, earning a legendary status that was later popularized in the film Cars.[9] After the merger of Hudson and Nash to form American Motors Corporation (AMC), the name was used for their compact car line (1970–1977) that served as a platform for several other successful AMC vehicles.[9] Chrysler Corporation acquired AMC in 1987, and gained ownership of the Hornet trademark. The name was used in 2006 for the Dodge Hornet concept car, a small, five-door mini-MPV to gauge interest in a B-segment vehicle for the European market.[9] In 2020, FCA (Stellantis) submitted an application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reserve the names "Dodge Hornet" and "Hornet".[12] Dodge chose the historic name as a nod to its long-running family lineage for the compact crossover SUV.[13][14]
Overview
The Hornet was released in August 2022.[2] It is Dodge's first all-new model in over a decade, following the discontinuation of the mid-size Journey crossover.[2] The vehicle’s exterior design was led by Jeff Gale, the son of former Chrysler design executive Tom Gale.[3]
The Hornet is manufactured at the Stellantis factory in Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy, alongside the Tonale. It is structurally based on the Stellantis Small Wide 4x4 LWB platform, which is also utilized by the Jeep Compass (MP). The Hornet is offered exclusively with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration, distinguishing it from the Tonale, which offers front-wheel-drive in some global markets.[15] It is available in four primary trim levels: GT (entry), GT Plus (entry with luxury trim), R/T (plug-in hybrid), and R/T Plus (plug-in hybrid with luxury trim). It is the first plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) by Dodge, and the R/T trim features dual electric motors.
The Hornet also has different specifications, pricing, and features compared to the Tonale. According to Dodge, the Hornet R/T has a range of over 30 miles (48km). Equipped with the 268 horsepower (200kW; 272PS) turbocharged engine in the GT trim, the Hornet can go from 0 to 60mph (97km/h) in 6.1 seconds.[16] The R/T trim also features a "PowerShot" mode, which delivers a temporary boost of 25 horsepower, to achieve a 0 to 60mph acceleration in 5.6 seconds.
Equipment
The base GT includes 17-inch aluminum wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and dual-zone automatic climate control. All models have the Stellantis Uconnect 5 system featuring a 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge display. Included are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features, as well as Amazon Alexa connectivity. Upgrading to the GT Plus adds a 14-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo and in-dash navigation. Standard driver-assistance features include automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. All models also come with blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The optional Tech package also adds adaptive cruise control with lane centering. The Cold Weather Group package combines heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start. Black cloth and synthetic leather upholstery with red stitching is standard on the GT. The GT Plus trim comes with leather. The optional Track package includes imitation suede, while a red leather interior is available.
2025 models
Minor changes for 2025 include redesigned LED headlights and two new exterior color options. The available Track package for 2025 includes steering-wheel shift paddles. This helps position the Hornet as a car for driving enthusiasts and buyers are provided with a one-day course at Dodge's official driving school.[17] A Car and Driver road test of a GT Plus resulted in 0 to 60mph in 5.7 seconds, which was 0.2 seconds slower than achieved in a test of the more powerful and more expensive Hornet R/T Plus.[18] The 2025 R/T trim received an extended electric-only range. A new 11.5-inch infotainment touchscreen has improved graphics and faster response on Plus trims.
Effect of tariffs
Despite its American badging, the Hornet's Italian production location has created challenges. As a result of U.S. President Trump's tariffs, production of the Hornet has been suspended. The Hornet is subject to a 25% import tariff as of July 2025.[19] The future of the vehicle is uncertain, with the possibility of it skipping the 2026 model year.[20] In September 2025, the head of Dodge, Matt McAlear, noted he would "like to see the compact SUV return to the U.S. someday as the tariff landscape evolves".[21]
In late 2022, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis announced plans for a more powerful model, the Hornet GLH ("Goes Like Hell").[23] The Hornet R/T GLH was unveiled on March 22, 2023. It is a concept car that features visual upgrades, such as lowered springs, 20-inch wheels, unique graphics, and a louder exhaust.[24]
The Dodge Hornet, now branded as the Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X, is to be raced in the Nitrocross series. The car is advertised to do 0-60 in 1.4 seconds.[25]
Sales
The majority of Hornet sales have been the plug-in hybrid (R/T) variety.[26]
1 Rebadged models, mostly from Japanese, Korean or Chinese manufacturers – 2 Rebadged Chrysler/Plymouth models for external markets
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