The Dodge Hornet R/T is the brand’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) while also being the brand’s first compact SUV in more than a decade. With the governmental push for electrified vehicles, the Hornet R/T fills a key role for the Dodge brand in that area, but more importantly, the compact SUV segment is one of the largest and largest growing groups in the American auto industry. Literally every other mainstream automaker in the U.S.A. gathers big sales numbers from small SUVs and Dodge has been missing out that piece of the market, but the Hornet is here to help the legendary brand get their foot in the door.
The Hornet was first introduced for the 2023 model year in GT, non-hybrid form, but for those small SUV buyers who want better efficiency, better performance and more premium features throughout the cabin, the arrival of the Hornet R/T PHEV for the 2024 model year as far more interesting.
The Hornet R/T offers a combined output of 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, with the front wheels being driven by a turbocharged 1.3-liter engine while the rear wheels are driven by an electric motor system. This setup allows for an advertised all-electric range of 30 miles, but the regenerative systems are so efficient that under normal driving circumstances in the Sport mode, I could easily go more than 40 miles without additional plug-in time during my test sessions with the Dodge PHEV SUV.
Best of all, Dodge engineered the Hornet to be far more fun to drive than the rest of the vehicles in the compact SUV segment, using the electric drive system and the turbocharged gasoline engine to deliver impressive acceleration. With the help of the boost-on-demand Power Shot system, the Hornet R/T will sprint from a stop to 60mph in the mid-5-second range – which is just as quick as many not-very-old V8-powered performance cars.
In short, the 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T is the brand’s first plug-in hybrid while also being the most engaging vehicle in the compact SUV segment for those drivers who really enjoy driving. The mainstream competitors in this segment all provide vehicles that are inexpensive and relatively efficient, but it is clear when driving them that fun-to-drive factor never came into play. With the new Dodge Hornet, especially in R/T form, fun-to-drive factor is one of its greatest attributes.
Now, of course it won’t provide the same level of fun as the likes of the rear-drive, Hemi-powered Challenger and Charger, but this vehicle isnt trying to compete with muscle cars on the sale floor – it is trying to compete with blandmobiles like the Chevy Equinox and the Ford Escape. In that regard, the Hornet R/T is one hell of a fun drive.
The biggest question for those folks considering a 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV is which level to purchase. The hybrid Hornet is offered in R/T and R/T Plus, but it isnt easy to quickly identify the differences between the two, so I put together a list that explains what the R/T Plus has which the R/T does not.
Hornet R/T Vs Hornet R/T Plus
The vast majority of the most important features of the 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T are shared across both models, including the powerful hybrid drivetrain, the stunning 10.25-inch infotainment screen, the 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster and an 8-way power driver’s seat.
On the outside, the Hornet R/T Plus adds a power sunroof and a Keykess Hands-Free Power Liftgate with a programmable height setting, which can be opened and closed with the fob.
On the inside, the most noticeable change is that the Hornet R/T Plus comes standard with perforated and ventilated leather seating surfaces while the R/T comes with standard “cloth leatherette”. You can also pick red leather in the R/T Plus (above). You cannot opt up to the leather seats from the R/T Plus in the R/T, but if you get the Track Package with the R/T or the R/T Plus, you get black Alcantara suede seats with red accents (below). Also in the area of seating, the R/T Plus comes standard with 8-way power control for both front seats, whereas the R/T comes with manual passenger’s side adjust.
Finally, in addition to a wireless charging pad, the 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T Plus comes with turn-by-turn cluster-integrated navigation and a premium 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system – neither of which are available in the “base” R/T.
In short, if you want leather seats, the most advanced navigation system, a wireless charging pad, a sunroof and easy access to the rear hatch, the Hornet R/T Plus is the better choice for you. If you want to keep your purchase price down a bit, but you do want the Track Package (which I think is a must-have), you can get the basic R/T with the Alcantara interior and all of the performance goodies while saving yourself $5,000.
