How the Dodge Hornet can run over $50,000

Eddie at Allpar shared the window sticker of a Dodge Hornet R/T Plus, which starts at $46,400. That is roughly the price of a Toyota RAV4 Prime, the top model of the best-selling crossover; the Hornet Plus comes better equipped, but the Toyota doesn’t need any driver tricks such as PowerShot to run a fast 0-60 time. But how did it get to over fifty grand?

The Hornet R/T Plus comes with all wheel drive, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and 10.25 inch touch-screen, navigation, Harman Kardon stereo, Apple and Android support, adaptive cruise, blind spot and rear cross path detection, full-speed collision warning plus braking, pedestrian/cyclist emergency braking, traffic sign information, rear parking assist, dual zone climate control, rain-sensitive wipers, power sunroof, hands-free liftgate, remote starter, garage door opener, and wireless charging pad. The front seats are both 8-way power adjustable, with adjustable lumbar supports and driver seat memory; the front seats are heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel is heated. Outside, the heated mirrors have a power fold feature.

The destination charge is $1,595, and any paint color other than black is $495. If you don’t want a black Hornet, and there are no rebates, the price is therefore $48,490 out the door. How to top $50,000, then? Simple: just add the absurdly pricey Blacktop package, which at $1,595 adds gloss black mirror covers, dark badges, glossy black side window moldings, and black 18×7.5 aluminum-alloy wheels. Now you have a $50,085 car. That price, incidentally, also roughly tracks with a Toyota RAV4, but the Dodge is more likely to have hefty rebates.

The Dodge has fuel economy of 29 mpg, combined, or 77 MPGe when running on electricity. It can charge in four hours on 240V current. Electricity-only running can go up to 32 miles, enough for many commutes.

The Hornet is based on the Alfa Rome Tonale, which is based on the Jeep Compass; so far it has been easily outselling the pricier Alfa. It is unlikely that it was ever meant to be a serious competitor for the RAV4; the Hornet is made exclusively in Italy.   Instead, the Hornet is likely a bridge to future new Dodge crossovers, its development and tooling costs cut by sharing many parts with the Tonale.

Youtube video in case the Humix video doesn’t work: