Fans got used to hearing rumors and details about the discontinuation of Dodge vehicles. The last one to be out from production was Journey SUV, although this class is being pretty popular. It left the company making only Durango. Now, the 2023 Dodge Hornet is going to join the famous SUV as a smaller crossover.
First details have leaked and we can compare the upcoming vehicle to its sibling, Alfa Romeo Tonale. The new crossover is already announced, so it is not going to be hard to take out the best features and add them to the 2023 Dodge Hornet SUV. One thing is sure – the upcoming model is boosting the performance compared to Tonale. Furthermore, experts are wondering if a hybrid system is going to be available. This causes further comparisons to similar vehicles in the family.
The release date of the new model is not set yet. However, the company plans the production to start this summer.
2023 Dodge Hornet Specs
The 2023 Dodge Hornet is going to share powertrains with the Alfa Romeo Tonale. Vehicles are similar in size and purpose, although the FCA engineers could enhance the new configuration. Dodge should be a bit more powerful. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder mill is a certain choice and we can find it under the hood of many other FCA vehicles.
Some say that the upcoming Hornet is getting a turbocharged version of the engine with 260 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It is too much for the base version. However, Dodge will definitely launch a performance edition of the crossover. A nine-speed auto transmission is the best gearbox for this engine. Unlike the Alfa Romeo Tonale and its standard AWD, the 2023 Hornet is coming with the front-wheel drive system as the entry-level setup.
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2023 Dodge Hornet Hybrid
A hybrid configuration is confirmed for the upcoming SUV. However, the company is not unveiling details, leaving space for rumors. The 2023 Dodge Hornet will be a downsized version of the Wrangler 4xe, we assume. The PHEV system is very powerful and the compact model is not getting so much energy.
The best option is to borrow the powerplant from the new Compass. Nevertheless, this model is available only in Europe, so the Hornet would have to get a setup with some retuning. Bigger batteries are adding extra range and power. The base remains a 1.3-liter petrol engine with turbochargers. We can’t guess where the outputs are going to end, but the Hornet PHEV is about to offer at least 30 miles of electric range. A regular hybrid is not an option for now.
Spy Photos and First Impressions
Renders of the new crossover are available for a while. But, those are fans’ perceptions with a small dose of reliable sources and info. Now, when the test mules are out, we can talk more about the 2023 Dodge Hornet. The vehicle is official and the company is going to unveil a detail by detail.
From this point of view, we know the Hornet is a compact crossover, also called C-SUV. The length of the vehicle is around 180 inches, which makes it very similar to the Alfa Romeo Tonale. Heavy camo is hiding the body, although there are some details we can spot and imagine how could they look on the Hornet. Experts noticed a lot of similarities with the Tonale crossover, but also some trademark features for Dodge vehicles, such as ‘race’ taillights. Also, hood scoops seem to be under the camo, which indicates a performance version of the crossover is possible. The Hornet borrows special air intake styling from the Charger muscle car.
Release Date Confirmed
The production of the 2023 Dodge Hornet starts in August. That means the sales are going to be opened soon. Pre-orders might start the same day when the company starts building the new crossover. Nevertheless, dealerships will offer the new Hornet in the last two months of 2022.
Pricing is not unveiled yet. Alfa Romeo Tonale belongs to the luxury class with the base price tag above $36,000. The 2023 Hornet is going to be more affordable. We assume the company could make it available for $25,000 in the base form. Still, a performance version and the PHEV will add at least $10k.
