2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

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 dual extractors. The illuminated Rhombi logo on the taillights added a unique touch, making it unmistakable on the road. However, from the side and rear, the Hornet bore a resemblance to the Porsche Macan or Cayenne, which might not have felt entirely Dodge-like but did lend a premium feel. 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 alternatives. Inside, the Hornet emphasized performance with red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, while the GT Plus trim offered more luxurious seating options.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing name in the automotive world, maintained its iconic presence with a massive silhouette that blended into traffic despite its size. At nearly 19 feet long and over six feet tall, it was not for everyone, especially in urban settings. However, for those needing ample cargo and passenger space, the Suburban was a top choice. Available in six trims, it offered a range of features from basic niceties to luxurious options. The interior was spacious, with leather upholstery standard on most trims, and the High Country trim offered premium brown leather options. Despite its size, the Suburban's interior felt somewhat pedestrian, though it provided comfort with features like a heated steering wheel and tri-zone climate control.

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 many competitors, with only the Mazda CX-30 coming close. The Hornet's Sport mode enhanced throttle response and steering, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. While acceleration was responsive at lower speeds, there was a noticeable lag at higher speeds. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain offered improved pickup, making it a compelling choice for performance enthusiasts.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 horsepower. The 5.3-liter V8 was the most common, providing ample power and a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds. The 6.2-liter V8 offered smoother acceleration, while the diesel engine delivered better fuel economy and cost savings. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was manageable, though drivers needed to account for its weight and potential body roll.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's interior offered comfort with leather seats in the GT Plus trim, featuring four-way powered lumbar adjustment and memory settings. The cockpit layout was driver-oriented, with screens and controls angled towards the driver. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar design occasionally obstructed views. The Hornet's interior was designed with performance in mind, providing a sporty feel.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This made it a top choice for those needing extensive cargo capacity. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank allowed for long highway drives, especially with the diesel engine's efficiency. The interior was spacious, accommodating large families and their gear comfortably.

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, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system in the GT Plus trim. The technology was user-friendly, though some features required touchscreen access.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system included a 10.2-inch touchscreen, with Google Built-in providing seamless access to apps like Google Maps and Assistant. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher-end options, leaving room for improvement in audio quality.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came equipped with standard advanced driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Tech Pack added more features, such as a 360-degree camera and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. However, the Hornet had not yet been rated by major safety organizations.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with strong side-crash performance but lower rollover ratings. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premier and High Country trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, as an optional feature.