BUZZ AROUND ALL-NEW 2024 DODGE HORNET IS FOR REAL!
The Hudson Hornet was first manufactured in the 1950s. The name was adapted by the American Motors Corporation during the 1960s and 1970s before the AMC Hornet was discontinued. Flash forward to 2006 when Chrysler acquired AMC and the Hornet moniker with plans for the concept car’s released in 2010. Then came the 2009 economic downturn and the project was abandoned. Now 14 years later, the Dodge Hornet has been reintroduced as the car division’s first plug-in hybrid.
A 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 gas engine is coupled to two electric motors, one of which serves as a generator and the other delivers torque. The rechargeable15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery enables the Hornet to go about 32 miles on pure electric. Pumping up the battery via 240-voltcharger takes just two hours. All in all, total horsepower is 288 and 383 pounds-feet of torque, plenty to cruise the highway or speed up in rush-hour traffic. Zero to 60 is accomplished in 5.6 seconds with top speed of 128 mph. The 6-speed auto gearbox in the all-wheel-drive subcompact SUV is up to the job. It’s worth a note that the Hornet shares the platform and powertrain with Tonale, its sibling in the Alfa Romeo segment.
The muscular front fascia portrays a ‘mail-slot’ style opening and new Dodge Rhombi emblem for the black grille, which meets a bold hood with its integrated heat extractors. The centered Dodge insignia illuminates in the vehicle-width tail lamps. Reminiscent of the Hudson Hornet in the 1950s is a Hornet badge on the front fenders. Step inside and the red stitched accents on the black Alcantara non-cooled seats will grab your attention. The eight-way power front seats are heated while the driver can manually adjust the flat tilt/telescopic steering column. Easy to see and read are readings on the 12.3-inch digital cockpit cluster while the 10.25-inch central infotainment display with the Uconnect user interface sits comfortably atop the dashboard. Neat goodies include dual auto a/c, power sun roof, wireless phone charging pad, hands-free power lift gate, underfloor cargo bin, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, active head restraints, lane departure/forward collision warnings, electronic stability/traction control with brake assist, four-wheel antilock brakes, blind spot monitor with rear cross detection, backup camera, front/rear and hill start assists, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian emergency brakes, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system are standard.
Nobody wishes for a wasp sting but the ‘buzz’ around this Hornet is raising plenty of eyebrows in the competitive subcompact SUV segment. We believe that the revival of the nearly overlooked name with a powerful performance and top-notch styling inside and out certainly deserves attention.
HORNET R/T EAWD
Tires: 225/55VR18
Wheelbase: 103.8 inches
Length: 178 inches
Width: 82 inches
Height: 63 inches
Suspension: MacPherson strut front, Chapman strut rear
Steering: electric power
Weight: 4,140 pounds
Fuel capacity: 11.2 gallons
Gas only: 29 mpg; MPGe (electricity + gas) : 77
Base price: $46,400
Price as tested: $54,325
Web site: www.dodge.com