Review: 2023 Dodge Hornet (GT + R/T) – Fastest $30k Crossover! 2022

March 24, 2023



I review the 2023 Dodge Hornet in both GT and R/T trims to see which one is better and how they compare to their competitors. Starting right at $30,000 before destination, the 2023 Hornet claims the title of the most powerful and fastest subcompact crossover for that price tag. Beyond the performance, it has a top notch interior for the price. Once you start adding on options though the Hornet can quickly balloon in price and lose its performance-per-dollar value, and while the R/T plug-in hybrid is a lot of fun, its price tag pushes it into luxury car pricing. If you take it easy on options though, the Hornet GT can be a great option for those looking for a sportier subcompact crossover and it’s awesome that Dodge is offering it. What do you think about the Hornet? Thanks to Dodge for providing this opportunity!

Time stamps:
0:00 Exterior
1:50 Interior
7:49 Initial impressions in GT
10:28 Acceleration in GT
11:41 Handling and ride
16:35 Highway driving and safety tech
17:51 R/T initial impressions
19:47 Powershot launch in R/T
21:30 R/T handling
24:59 EV mode in R/T
26:15 More GT impressions
27:33 Fuel economy
28:28 Pricing and competitor comparisons
31:57 Final thoughts

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32 Comments
  1. Reply
    ®️Montreal®️ March 24, 2023 at 3:54 am

    Exactly like the Dodge Dart they did not learn their lesson with all the money grab add on packages making it a nightmare for customers to decide. Prime Example is the BlackTop package another Dart carryover package. I see this having the exact same fate as the Dart.

  2. Not a Dodge lol

  3. Really sucks with the exhaust only being a RT thing thats just dumb.

  4. We will have to wait and see how the materials hold up, you know that you get what you pay for.

  5. Hornet fails to sting, just saddens

  6. Does it require premium fuel for the power numbers?

  7. Kinda want a Hornet R/T depending on the price. Have to compare how it drives with the Kona N.
    Edit: 42k for a fully-loaded GT?! That's ridiculous. It seems like Dodge carried over the Alfa pricing too.

  8. Reply
    💰 Make $756 Per Day March 24, 2023 at 3:54 am

    "Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable." *Theodore N. Vail

  9. Looks exactly like Alfa Romeo Tonalle
    What a shame for Alfa Romeo

  10. Reply
    Planes Trains & Dogs n Cars March 24, 2023 at 3:54 am

    Not that it really matters..but to be truly informative it's worth mentioning that this is made in Italy on the same production line as the Alfa Tonale..not just ''carried over''.

  11. trust me. Just buy the Kona N

  12. Matt, fair and honest review as usual, I will say, I would go Mazda, this is way overpriced for what it is, and we all know the Mazda will hold up much better over the years, plus great steering. This Hornet GT trim how could they not have the paddle shifters?? My Mother has a new Subaru Crosstrek and that even has paddle shifters. The Crosstrek actually is insane how roomy it is and the ground clearance is really amazing, Subaru all wheel drive great, perfect for my elderly Mother, I stopped by my parents and test drove that Crosstrek it is a fun all around car, good value. Anyway, I feel this Dodge/Alfa isn't going to do well, unless they offer lots of discounts to get customers in the dealership doors. Also, the real elephant in the room Dodge customers do not want a turbo four cylinder crossover or the R/T that is a mild hybrid. I am sorry I don't see it working for them, I will say at least it looks good, seems to have nice fit and finish, which is a plus.

  13. Reply
    💰 Make $756 Per Day March 24, 2023 at 3:54 am

    "If you want to achieve greatness stop asking for permission." *

  14. Good review Matt. As an owner of a 2006 Mazda 3 Hatch w/150k on it and going strong. I could never trust anything Dodge/ Fiat/whatever else they are called to last that long. Like the looks and add ones of the Hornet but no sell for me. Keep up the good work Matt.

  15. Too bad Fiat/Stellantis makes garbage. That's a really sharp vehicle with great specs for the price. Such a shame it'll lose all of its value and start falling apart within 3 years

  16. Lowkey wish it could’ve been a sedan

  17. Did u upgrade your camera setup? Quality seems much more crisp with this upload. Maybe the lighting

  18. I’m really looking forward to the dealership I work at getting one of these in so I can check one out. However the one I’d really like to check out is the upcoming GLH model (probably because of the Mopar fan in me and loving the classic name coming back 😂)

  19. Please do a comparison video between the new BMW X1 and this GT hornet!

  20. For the algo 👍
    thx 👍

  21. Looking forward to interior coverage of this one.

  22. You and your fellow reviewers do a good job reviewing these so what I will say has no reflection on your review. For the price of the R/T they are out of their mind if they think it's worth $52k. For that price there is certainly way more options out there that I would choose over it including a slightly used base Macan. Max of upper 30's is what something like that is worth in my opinion. I get things are more expensive now but I'm choosing a luxury brand for that kind of money over this any day.

  23. Soccer mom's rejoice. We went from hellcats to this. What a joke. I'm very sad for the dodge brand. Ford found a way to keep the mustang and with the challenger outselling both mustang and Camaro I wish they would of found a way to keep the challenger. RIP dodge. Stellantis was the nail in the coffin.

  24. Love it man. Wish it was a manual haha

  25. I would still take a RAV4 Prime over this. Dodge and Alfa Romeo reliability don’t seem inspiring that it won’t stay out of the service bay consistently.

  26. Dang, I would absolutely n.e.v.e.r. buy any fiat product but I gotta give them credit where it’s due. This is an attractive and affordable entrant into the segment, and it is cool for Dodge to bring back the “hornet” moniker, but I’m curious as to how well these vehicles are going to perform in the market. Obviously the biggest demographic for crossovers seem to be people that know absolutely nothing about cars, so I’m questioning the effectiveness of marketing performance to those consumers. Smart of them to put out a crossover though, no doubt they’ll definitely sell a good number of them

  27. Why does this look like the FL5 Type R in a crossover/suv form…? The front and the back.

  28. Its nice looking looking crossover..you definitely see it around here in VA plus for the price all you get.ill like to see it in white tho! 😂

  29. Did Dodge mention anything about the GLH package that was shown when the Hornet was revealed?

  30. Dodge Hornet-=Dodge Neon=Dodge Dart= girls cars.

  31. Kona N seems better

  32. Stellantis doing Alfa dirty.
    First they take Alfa’s 6C and give it to Maserati. Now, they make Alfa share the Tonale with Dodge.

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