2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2024 Jeep Compass

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted a front end that brilliantly exhibited its Dodge DNA. Characterized by its wide and mean "raccoon mask" face, bulging hood, dual extractors, and the classic Dodge "mail slot" under the Rhombi logo, it echoed the muscle-car aesthetic that Dodge enthusiasts cherished. The rear view was uniquely its own, with the illuminated Rhombi logo elegantly linking taillights spanning the vehicle's width. From the side and rear quarter, the Hornet resembled high-end SUVs like the Porsche Macan or Cayenne, albeit with upward-pointing windows that imparted a premium look. This design choice, rooted in its Alfa Romeo Tonale origin, hinted at Dodge's potential shift towards a more luxurious style amalgamated with their traditional bold strokes.

However, the standard silver 17-inch wheels were a point of contention, appearing cheap from afar despite their commendable design upon closer inspection. The Blacktop package offered a feasible solution with 18-inch black alloy wheels and Gloss Black accents. For those seeking more, the Track Pack package provided 20-inch wheels and notable performance enhancements, including red Brembo brake calipers. In terms of color options, Dodge fans could revel in the seven fun and vibrant exterior shades, including Acapulco Gold, Blu Bayou, and Hot Tamale.

Inside, the Hornet continued to retain its performance-inspired roots with standard red stitching accents and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. While the base GT trim featured manual-adjust black cloth seats, the GT Plus elevated comfort with eight-way power-adjustable perforated leather seats available in black or red. The raciest option, though, was the Track Pack’s Alcantara seats with red accent colors peeking through the perforated black.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Compass, especially in its Sport trim, appeared rather plain and unspectacular, much like a typical fleet vehicle. Its design bore minimal identifiers exclusive to Jeep, with features such as the seven-slot grille being the only telltale sign. The body shape and taillights offered no distinct personality, often blending into the backdrop of other compact crossovers over the past two decades. However, the Trailhawk trim stood out with its red tow hooks, revised bumpers, and mild lift, giving it a recognizable Jeep flair.

The Compass's interior received high praise, particularly in the high-end Limited trim where the black and gray color scheme complemented by caramel leatherette imparted an upscale feel. Even the base trim sported quality cloth seats with blue stitching and textured crosshatch inserts. The redesign from 2022 onwards made a significant difference in interior design and quality, showcasing features like a large 10-inch infotainment screen, supportive cloth seats, and practical touches that were absent in earlier models. Interestingly, while the Compass Sport’s exterior struggled to make a lasting impression, its interior design offered drivers modernity and comfort.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet made a striking impression with its performance. Dodge advertised its “best-in-class performance,” a claim substantiated by the Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This horsepower was significantly higher than competitors like the Chevy Trailblazer (up to 155 hp), Honda HR-V (up to 158 hp), and Hyundai Kona (up to 195 hp). Only the Mazda CX-30’s turbocharged engine came close with 250 hp, albeit with a higher torque of 320 lb-ft. The Hornet GT's base model roared impressively, drawing attention with its menacing sound.

Sport mode enhanced the Hornet's throttle response, steering, and upshift timing, reducing the zero-to-60 time to 6.5 seconds, outpacing its competitors. Despite minor acceleration lag at mid-speeds, the base model's peppy responsiveness at lower velocities matched its sporty aesthetics. For those seeking even more performance, the Track Pack package or Direct Connection parts offered additional upgrades.

The 2024 Jeep Compass made a significant upgrade by switching from the underwhelming naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter engine to a detuned version of the Cherokee's optional turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. This engine delivered 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. This new setup allowed the Compass to perform smoothly in both city and highway scenarios, minimizing noise and negating the need for aggressive throttle use.

The Compass featured three driving modes (auto, snow, sand/mud) and a 4WD Lock button to keep the rear wheels activated when necessary, enhancing traction and handling on various terrains. Notably, the Trailhawk trim offered a low-range transfer case, unique among compact SUVs, increasing its capability on steep grades and treacherous surfaces. However, steering and handling somewhat lacked finesse compared with competitors like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4, and its responsive grip and handling left drivers wanting more. The Compass's fuel economy was an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, aligning closely with competitors.

In terms of comfort, the 2023 Dodge Hornet excelled, particularly with the GT Plus trim’s leather seats, which featured four-way powered lumbar adjustments and two memory settings. The Alcantara seats included in the Track Pack also presented a notable upgrade. Both front seats in the Hornet offered extensive adjustability, with heating and ventilation as standard in the GT Plus. However, visibility posed a minor concern due to the angle of the A-pillar, which could obscure the view when making turns, depending on the driver’s seating position.

From a utility standpoint, the Hornet offered 27 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, extending to a substantial 54.7 cubic feet when the seats were folded down.

The 2024 Jeep Compass emphasized utility and user-friendliness. It featured clear analog gauges alongside a large color display, intuitive steering wheel buttons for audio control, and a practical gear selector. However, the absence of direct temperature readouts for the climate controls was an odd oversight, relying instead on a gradient bar. The absence of a sunroof lent extra headroom, enhancing comfort for taller passengers in both the front and back seats. The rear cabin offered conveniences such as USB ports, vents, and a fold-down center armrest.

For cargo, the Compass provided a competitive 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and expanded to 59.8 cubic feet when folded, surpassing the Hornet in maximum cargo capacity. Additionally, the ability to fold the front passenger seat for carrying longer items was a notable feature.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's technology suite focused on driver-centric features. The digital gauge cluster was a substantial 12.3 inches, larger than the 10.25-inch center touchscreen. The entire center stack was angled towards the driver, maintaining an emphasis on an intuitive cockpit experience. Basic functions had physical controls, while advanced features like seat warmers remained anchored to the touch screen. The Uconnect 5 system, known for its intuitive interface, delivered a seamless experience with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, dual-phone Bluetooth connectivity, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system and navigation.

The 2024 Jeep Compass featured a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 software, praised for its clarity and quick response. The interface was straightforward, and unlike more expensive models, it had no legibility issues. However, the home screen’s layout limited direct app switching. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and USB-C ports, with optional factory navigation and a wireless charging pad. Higher trims could be equipped with a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel, semi-automated driving systems, and premium sound systems.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came equipped with comprehensive advanced driver-assistance features, making it suitable for family use. Standard across all trims were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, a rear backup camera, and rear park-assist. The optional Tech Pack enhanced this suite with additional features, including front, side, and rear park-assist, driver-attention monitoring, and a 360-degree surround-view camera.

The 2024 Jeep Compass had standard safety features like forward emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, a driver attention monitor, and a driver’s knee airbag. Adaptive cruise control was optional on mid-level trims and standard on higher trims. Optional advanced features included parking sensors and 360-degree cameras. The Compass's 2022 model received mixed crash test ratings from NHTSA but earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS for 2023.