2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The Hornet is introduced as a compact utility vehicle, or CUV. This would seem to suggest that “compact” and “sport” are mutually exclusive (no shade on Dodge; they didn’t coin the term). But the Hornet defies that with its emphasis on power, attitude, and in-crowd fun.

Yes, the Hornet is also notable in that the 2024-model-year hybrid R/T is Dodge’s first electrified performance vehicle. But every automaker has—or will soon have to have—its own first electrified model. That in itself is these days remarkable only internally. However, we would argue that the Hornet represents a gateway with influence far outside the company as well: It creates a previously nonexistent pathway for the type of consumers the Dodge brand targets, who will now be able to take the step toward electrification without sacrificing their street cred.

During the past three years, the RX 450h hybrid has accounted for an average of 15.4% of all Lexus RX sales in the U.S. Now, a redesigned 2023 Lexus RX is set to go on sale by the end of 2022, and the automaker will offer three hybrid models: the RX 350h, RX 450h+, and the RX 500h F Sport Performance. Based on time spent driving two of these three new 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid models, we expect them to at least double, if not triple, the previous-generation RX 450h’s share of sales. As long as the price is right, of course.

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