2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2023 Dodge Hornet

The 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased a distinctive Dodge DNA with its muscle-car styling cues, including a wide "raccoon mask" face, bulging hood, and dual extractors. The illuminated Rhombi logo on the taillights was a standout feature, ensuring the Hornet was unmistakable on the road. From the side and rear, the Hornet bore a resemblance to the Porsche Macan or Cayenne, with upward-pointing windows adding a premium touch. This design choice, influenced by its Alfa Romeo Tonale roots, might have been a shift for Dodge loyalists, but it suited the Hornet's family vehicle role. The standard silver 17-inch wheels were a point of contention, appearing cheap from afar, though the Blacktop and Track Pack packages offered more appealing alternatives. The Hornet's seven exterior color options and performance-inspired interior, with red stitching and flat-bottomed steering wheel, emphasized its sporty roots.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, at first glance, resembled its ICE counterpart but revealed more decisive lines, a thicker body-colored C-pillar, and a sleeker grille upon closer inspection. The EV's front fascia featured more body color, and the rear design echoed the front with a light bar. Standard 19-inch aluminum wheels on the 1LT and 2LT trims, with 21-inch versions on higher trims, added to its appeal. The Equinox EV offered vibrant color options like "Red Hot" and "Riptide Blue Metallic," with two-tone paint jobs available for a youthful look. Inside, the Equinox EV provided a range of interior colors, with sporty options for higher trims. The cabin's blue accents paired well with the Galaxy Gray exterior, offering a sophisticated touch.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted "best-in-class performance" with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This power outshone competitors like the Chevy Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, and Hyundai Kona, with only the Mazda CX-30 coming close. The Hornet's base model emitted a low, menacing rumble, enhancing its sporty appeal. Sport mode improved throttle response, steering, and upshifts, achieving a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds. While the Hornet excelled at slower speeds, it experienced a noticeable lag when accelerating from cruising speeds. The hybrid powertrain in the Hornet R/T addressed this issue, offering a smoother pickup.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a hands-free start and one-pedal driving, with drive modes like Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode. The single-motor FWD variant produced 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD version offered 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. The Equinox EV's towing capacity reached 1,500 pounds. With an EPA-estimated range of 319 miles for FWD models and 285 for AWD, the Equinox EV outperformed competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Nissan Ariya. Its 85-kWh battery supported DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, regaining 77 miles of range in 10 minutes. A Level 2 charger added 34 miles of range per hour.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's GT Plus trim offered leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and memory settings, enhancing comfort. The Alcantara seats in the Track Pack provided similar features. The driver-oriented cockpit layout favored the driver, with screen positioning and control placements enhancing the driving experience. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar's angle occasionally obstructed the view of oncoming traffic.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV's 2LT trim included heated front seats, steering wheel, and outside mirrors, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The 3LT trim added power adjustability for the passenger seat, front-seat ventilation, and heated rear seats. Dual-zone climate control was limited to 3LT and above. The Equinox EV offered ample headroom and legroom, with 39.15 inches of front headroom and 41.65 inches of front legroom. The AutoSense power liftgate provided access to 26.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 57.2 cubic feet with the second row 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, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system, wireless charging pad, and navigation.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV boasted a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11-inch driver-information screen. Google Built-In was standard, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. An eight-year OnStar Remote Access Plan subscription was included, supporting the MyChevrolet app for navigation and route planning.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came with 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. The Hornet had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV included Chevy Safety Assist, with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision alert. Additional features included rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control. Super Cruise was available from the 2LT trim, offering hands-free highway driving assistance.