The Hornet is Not The Entry-Level Dodge Promised
Dodge proudly unveiled the I4 and PHEV Hornet crossover SUV as its new “gateway to muscle.” The automaker claimed that this Alfa-Romeo-based crossover would be quick and cost-effective. And the Hornet may certainly be quick, but with an MSRP of $30,590 it is only a hair cheaper than Dodge’s second-cheapest car: the 2023 Challenger.
How much will the 2023 Dodge Hornet cost?
Dodge has finally released prices for its 2023 crossover, the Hornet. We know that the base Hornet GT has an MSRP of $30,590. That’s not including Dodge’s $1,595 destination charge. The new Hornet configurator reveals that a fully-loaded version of the vehicle could cost you as much as $44,420.
The next trim level of the 2023 Dodge Hornet is the GT Plus. This trim starts at $35,490. Both of these first trim levels feature a 268-horsepower I4 engine and an automatic 9-speed transmission. The GT Plus’s main drivetrain difference is its AWD system.
Dodge has also teased a more powerful plug-in hybrid version of the Hornet. If the price of Jeep’s 4xe vehicles is any comparison, this will be in a completely different price bracket than the purely internal combustion hornet.
When Stellantis originally announced a Dodge vehicle on its Alfa Romeo crossover platform, it claimed the Hornet would be the quickest, fastest, and most powerful utility vehicle under $30,000. The Hornet’s original MSRP was $29k and change, but Dodge has quietly increased that since the announcement.
Dodge also introduced the Hornet as the “gateway” to its brotherhood of muscle. While the Hornet may still be one of the cheapest vehicles in its segment, it is not especially cheap for a Dodge.
How much is the 2023 Dodge Challenger?
Dodge is advertising its 2023 Challenger’s base price at $30,940. That technically makes it the second cheapest Dodge, as it starts at an MSRP several hundred dollars higher than the Hornet crossover.
This entry-level Challenger MSRP is for an SXT trim with a 3.4-liter Pentastar V6 and RWD. If you even want a color other than black, red, or silver you will pay extra. Upgrading to a HEMI V8 will require you buying a more expensive trim level.
Dodge advertises its four-door Charger’s entry-level MSRP at $32,645. The full-size Durango SUV starts at $38,495.
How much is a fully loaded 2023 Dodge Hornet?
Currently, you can pay up to $44,420 for the 2023 Hornet GT Plus. There are more expensive Hornet trim levels on the way. One trim level will be the more powerful plug-in hybrid Hornet R/T. Another trim may be the performance-oriented Hornet GT GLH (Goes Like Hell) that Dodge teased when it launched the crossover.
The entry-level 2023 Hornet MSRP includes either white or black paint. Any other color will cost you nearly $500. It also comes with 17-inch rims. The multiple 18-inch rim options only come with a $2k appearance package.
Every Hornet does come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen loaded with Uconnect 5. But the tech pack, which includes driver assistance software, a surround-view camera, and rear park-assist, will cost $2,245.
Next, read up on the Dodge Hornet GLH or see the Dodge Hornet for yourself in the video below: