2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Dodge Hornet captured attention with its distinct muscle-car cues and aggressive styling. The front end flaunted a wide, mean “raccoon mask” face, a bulging hood, dual extractors, and the signature Dodge “mail slot” beneath the Dodge Rhombi. The rear was unmistakably Dodge, highlighted by the standard illuminated Rhombi logo spanning the vehicle's width. However, from the side and rear quarter, the Hornet's resemblance to the Porsche Macan or Cayenne became apparent. This design choice, while not inherently Dodge, added a premium touch due to its Alfa Romeo Tonale roots.

Contrasting this bold aesthetic were the standard silver 17-inch wheels, which appeared cheap from afar despite their well-designed machined surface. The Hornet offered customization options via the Blacktop and Track Pack packages, providing larger 18-inch black alloy wheels or 20-inch wheels with red Brembo brake calipers, respectively. Dodge embraced its “High Impact Paint” tradition with a palette of seven vibrant exterior colors.

Inside, the Hornet featured performance-inspired touches like red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. While the base trim did not offer a sunroof, the GT Plus did. Seating options ranged from standard black cloth on the GT trim to luxurious black or red perforated leather on the GT Plus. The Track Pack's Alcantara seats added a sporty flair, showing off red accents through the black perforations.

The 2023 Honda Pilot, on the other hand, underwent a significant redesign that gave it a rugged and more substantial appearance. It grew by 3.4 inches in length, up to 1.5 inches in width, and 0.8 inches in height compared to the previous model. The upright grille and boxier styling contributed to its more imposing look, fitting well with the TrailSport model’s off-road capabilities.

The interior opted for a more conventional design, prioritizing function and versatility. The previous TrailSport trim's appearance package gave way to functional upgrades like a one-inch taller ride, unique 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and skid plates. Material quality met the elevated standards of its class.

Overall, the Pilot's design emphasized a balance between rugged utility and aesthetic appeal, focusing on practicality without sacrificing attraction.

Dodge marketed the 2023 Hornet as delivering "best-in-class performance," and it lived up to this claim with the Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine generating 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This outperformed competitors like the Chevy Trailblazer (up to 155 hp), Honda HR-V (up to 158 hp), and Hyundai Kona (up to 195 hp), though it only slightly trailed the Mazda CX-30 on torque. The Hornet's base model boasted an impressive low, menacing rumble that turned heads.

In Sport mode, the Hornet's throttle response, steering, and upshifts became sharper, reducing the zero-to-60 time to 6.5 seconds, a notable achievement in its segment. However, acceleration lagged at higher speeds, a contrast to its peppy performance at lower speeds. This issue was somewhat mitigated in the hybrid Hornet R/T model.

The Honda Pilot's all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine delivered 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. While front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive was available on all models and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot offered quick initial acceleration with a pleasurable engine growl when pushed.

The Pilot excelled in comfort rather than sporty driving, with soft brake pedals and feather-light steering best suited for family driving. Body roll was expected in a three-row SUV but wasn't alarming, with no residual bouncing. The TrailSport model added an inch of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, though the added height and tire vibration were barely noticeable.

In terms of on-road behavior, the Pilot provided a composed and comfortable ride, balancing daily family duties with off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's interior showcased a driver-oriented layout with lumbar adjustment and comfortable leather seats in the GT Plus trim. The Alcantara seats in the Track Pack added a sporty touch. The cockpit layout favored the driver, with the A-pillar design occasionally blocking the right view, an issue depending on the driver’s position.

Cargo space in the Hornet was reasonable for its class but didn't stand out prominently. Specific cubic footage wasn't highlighted, an area where competing models might have an edge.

Conversely, the Honda Pilot impressed with its versatile interior, featuring a functional dash shelf and a user-friendly layout. Lower trims had a seven-inch touchscreen, while higher trims boasted a nine-inch display. The Pilot's stowable second-row center seat offered enhanced utility, and storage options abounded, including a large center console bin, numerous cupholders, and door pockets.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Pilot excelled with up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 60.1 cubic feet with the second row folded, and a maximum of 114.3 cubic feet with all rows folded. This represented a 30% increase over rivals like the Kia Telluride, which maxed out at 87 cubic feet. This abundant cargo space made the Pilot highly practical for families.

The Dodge Hornet focused on the driver with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster complemented by a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Uconnect 5, known for its user-friendliness, was a strong point, and the interface worked well with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT Plus trim added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system and navigation.

The Honda Pilot recommended stepping up to the EX-L trim for improved technology, offering a larger touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and USB ports in every row. Higher trims included a head-up display, digital instrument panel, and multi-view camera systems. Features like CabinTalk, remote monitoring, Wi-Fi hotspot, and multi-view TrailWatch camera system were available on higher trims, enhancing convenience and functionality.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came standard with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and various parking aids. The Tech Pack added advanced features like a surround-view camera and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

For the 2023 Honda Pilot, standard Honda Sensing safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors. The TrailSport and Elite models featured enhanced camera systems for off-roading. The Pilot received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high expectations for NHTSA ratings.