Dodge Launches Its First Electrified Crossover SUV; Here’s What You Should Know About It

2023 Dodge Hornet Launched

It’s been a while since Dodge last introduced an all-new model. However, that is about to change now as the American automaker renowned for its muscle cars is breaking into the fiercely competitive crossover segment with its first electrified plug-in hybrid crossover, the 2023 Dodge Hornet. Keep reading this blog from Frank Boucher Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Janesville, WI, to learn more about Dodge’s latest offering in a while.

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2023 Dodge Hornet Plug-in Hybrid

If the “Hornet” name rings a bell, that’s because the moniker was most recently used for a 1970s Dodge station wagon. Dodge had tried reviving the Hornet nameplate in 2006 when it showcased a compact SUV, but it didn’t see the light of the day due to the economic downturn back in the days.

Like its 2006 namesake concept, the 2023 Dodge Hornet is a compact crossover and will serve as Dodge’s new entry-level model with a starting price of less than $30,000, which makes it the most affordable Dodge model when it arrives. Although not wholly an out-and-out muscle car like the Dodge Durango SUV, the new Dodge plug-in hybrid crossover serves as a ‘gateway’ for enthusiasts to enter the Dodge Brotherhood of Muscle with its Dodge muscle car twist.

Also Read: What Are the Engine Specs of the 2022 Ram 1500?

2023 Dodge Hornet Performance

The Hornet is available in two trims: Hornet GT and Hornet R/T, with the former using a conventional gasoline engine and the latter, a hybrid drivetrain.

Front end of a steel blue 2023 Dodge Hornet parked on a road.
View from inside the cockpit of the new 2023 Dodge Hornet.

Under the hood of the Hornet GT, you’ll find the Hurricane4 engine. This 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder debuts as the segment’s most powerful gas engine producing 265-plus horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Hornet GT employs a nine-speed automatic transmission with Sport Mode that offers sharper throttle, optimized upshifts, tighter steering, and an electronic limited-slip differential to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. When it arrives, the Dodge Hornet GT will be the quickest, fastest, and most powerful utility vehicle under $30,000.

The Dodge Hornet R/T, on the other hand, will be the plug-in hybrid variant and will be powered by a 1.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and a 90-kilowatt electric motor mounted on the rear axle. It will be the most powerful utility vehicle in the segment, with 285-plus horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque and offers more than 30 miles of all-electric range via a 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. Besides, the battery can be fully charged in about 2.5 hours using a level two charging system with a 7.2-kilowatt onboard module.

When will the 2023 Dodge Hornet Arrive?

The 2023 Dodge Hornet GT is open for orders starting August 17 and will arrive at dealers in December this year, while the Hornet R/T will arrive in spring 2023.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet is a far cry from Dodge’s conventional V8 engine-powered models and will be Dodge’s first step towards electrification. With that said, we’ll cover the other specs and features of the 2023 Dodge Hornet in our future blogs so keep reading our blogs for more.

Posted in Dodge, Dodge Hornet