2023 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Dodge Hornet

The 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased a distinctive Dodge DNA with its muscle-car styling cues, including a wide, aggressive front end, a bulging hood, and a unique illuminated Rhombi logo on the taillights. While the front and rear of the Hornet were unmistakably Dodge, the side profile bore a resemblance to the Porsche Macan or Cayenne, lending it a more premium feel. This design choice, influenced by its Alfa Romeo Tonale roots, might have been a departure for Dodge loyalists, but it added a touch of sophistication to the Hornet. The standard silver 17-inch wheels were a point of contention, appearing cheap from a distance, though the Blacktop and Track Pack packages offered more appealing wheel options. Inside, the Hornet emphasized performance with red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, while the GT Plus trim offered more luxurious seating options.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass embraced a refined and upscale design ethos, moving away from the rugged Jeep aesthetic. It shared design elements with the larger Cherokee and Grand Cherokee models, offering a more mature look. The Compass featured new wheel designs for different trims, with the Trailhawk's wheels painted in gloss black. The interior of the Compass was spacious enough to accommodate adults comfortably in both rows, despite its narrow build. The Limited trim, with its Granite Crystal paint and optional 19-inch wheels, exuded a sense of luxury akin to a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. The interior boasted a two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents, sophisticated digital displays, and metallic trim, though the price point for a fully equipped model was notably high.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted impressive performance stats, with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine delivering 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This power output surpassed most competitors in the CUV segment, with only the Mazda CX-30 coming close. The Hornet's Sport mode enhanced throttle response, steering, and upshifts, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. While the Hornet excelled in acceleration from a standstill, it experienced some lag when accelerating at higher speeds. The hybrid powertrain in the Hornet R/T improved pickup pace, offering a more balanced performance.

The 2023 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, transformed the Compass from a lackluster performer to a more capable SUV. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a low-range AWD system, skid plates, and a lifted suspension. While the Compass's new engine improved its on-road performance, it still fell short of being truly powerful. The Compass achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 27 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded slightly lower results.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's interior offered a driver-oriented cockpit with a focus on comfort and adjustability. The GT Plus trim featured leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and memory settings, enhancing comfort for long drives. The Alcantara seats in the Track Pack provided a sporty touch. The cockpit layout favored the driver, with screen positioning and control placements designed for ease of use. However, the A-pillar design occasionally obstructed visibility when making left turns.

The 2023 Jeep Compass provided a spacious interior with seating for adults in both rows. The narrow build made it maneuverable, while still offering decent comfort for four passengers. The Compass featured an air filtration system, dual-zone climate control, and a dual-pane sunroof. Higher trims offered leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated options. The rear seat provided adequate space, though legroom was limited if front seats were reclined. The Compass offered competitive cargo space, with 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet featured a driver-focused cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The Uconnect 5 system was intuitive and easy to use, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim included a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a wireless charging pad. The navigation system worked well, though it occasionally continued giving instructions after ending a route.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-in, with over-the-air updates. The Limited trim included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system, and a parking assist system. The Alexa Built-in technology was responsive and accurate, while the Alpine audio system provided good sound quality, albeit slightly bass-heavy.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet offered a range of standard advanced driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The Tech Pack added a 360-degree camera, driver-attention monitoring, and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. However, the Hornet had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2023 Jeep Compass included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. The Compass had not yet received crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, and the IIHS had incomplete test results for the 2023 model.