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The 2023 Dodge Hornet is a small SUV that will pave the way for Dodge’s electric future. Dodge is known for producing muscle cars like the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. It made a huge impact on the midsize SUV vehicle segment with the Dodge Durango. Now, Dodge is coming for the small SUV vehicle segment with a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet is an anomaly

How do you compete in an ever-changing automotive industry? Simple. You reinvent yourself when significant shifts occur. Dodge is taking a page out of Ford’s book and embracing the electric future by scrapping some nameplates and creating new ones that use electric powertrains.

The Challengers and Chargers that automotive enthusiasts know and love will cease to exist after the 2023 model years are released. Dodge will likely create nameplate spinoffs that resemble the muscle cars and feature electric powertrains. The first step in the American automaker’s road to electrification is the 2023 Dodge Hornet.

The Dodge Hornet is a subcompact SUV that uses a gas engine and an electric motor system. Electric motors help vehicles reduce their carbon emissions and provide them with an electric-only driving range that doesn’t require gas.

The Hornet is drastically different from anything in Dodge’s lineup at the moment. It’s larger than the Charger and Challenger but smaller than the Durango. Stylistically, the compact CUV incorporates muscle car elements, yet it uses hybrid power.

How much will the new Dodge Hornet cost?

CarBuzz claims that the 2023 Dodge Hornet should start at around $29,990. Its final trim level could start as high as $40K. The Hornet will be more expensive than gas-powered subcompact SUVs. It is likely to be more expensive than gas-powered compact SUVs because of its plug-in hybrid powertrain.

A black 2023 Dodge Horney subcompact SUV is driving on the road.
The 2023 Dodge Hornet | Dodge

Ultimately, the Hornet is affordable for the value that it provides. It makes a massive 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis claims that the Hornet shirks price, value, and fuel economy to provide “an aggressive muscular offering”.

The Dodge Hornet makes 65 more horses than the popular Toyota RAV4, thanks to its electric motor. Motor1 claims that the Hornet will cover 35 miles on just electricity when fully charged.

Should you buy the 2023 Dodge Hornet?

A black 2023 Dodge Hornet subcompact SUV is driving on the road.
The 2023 Dodge Hornet | Dodge

The 2023 Dodge Hornet will shake up the subcompact SUV vehicle segment. It’s one of the few plug-in hybrid subcompact SUVs on the market.

The Dodge Hornet is relatively affordable, powerful, and stylish (if you’re into muscle cars). It’s a historic model for Dodge, an automaker that has clung to its V8 engines and resisted the push to reduce carbon emissions for years. The 2023 Dodge Hornet is a great subcompact SUV for drivers that want a powerful crossover that doesn’t break the bank.

Read more about another impactful 2023 Dodge model, the 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, in the next article below.

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