2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Dodge Hornet

The 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased a front end that unmistakably displayed Dodge's muscle-car DNA, featuring a wide, aggressive "raccoon mask" face, a bulging hood, dual extractors, and the classic Dodge "mail slot" beneath the Rhombi logo. The rear of the Hornet, with its illuminated Rhombi logo and taillights spanning the vehicle's width, ensured it stood out in traffic. However, from the side and rear quarter, the Hornet bore a resemblance to the Porsche Macan or Cayenne, which, while premium, didn't feel particularly Dodge. This design choice, influenced by its Alfa Romeo Tonale roots, might have been a point of contention for Dodge loyalists.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, retained its classic, albeit outdated, boxy shape from its 2010 redesign. Its flared fenders and chunky, beveled shapes in the grille and liftgate gave it a rugged, stable appearance, essential for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model further enhanced this ruggedness with underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a beefy tubular roof rack. Despite its old-school styling and last-generation technology features, the 4Runner's interior was functional, with large climate-control dials and protruding driveline levers that were easy to use even with gloves on. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen added to its nostalgic feel.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted impressive performance stats, with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This power output significantly outperformed competitors like the Chevy Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, and Hyundai Kona. The Hornet's Sport mode sharpened throttle responses, tightened steering, and optimized upshifts, achieving a zero-to-60 time of 6.5 seconds. While the base Hornet GT was peppy and responsive at lower speeds, it experienced a noticeable lag when accelerating from cruising speeds. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain helped mitigate this issue.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine generating 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. However, its five-speed automatic transmission lagged behind the Bronco's ten-speed and the Wrangler's eight-speed, affecting both acceleration and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came standard with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, while other trims offered rear-wheel drive with optional 4WD. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, with significant rear-end squat during acceleration and a noisy engine. Its soft suspension, while beneficial for off-roading, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's interior featured comfortable leather seats in the GT Plus trim, with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and two memory settings. The Alcantara seats in the Track Pack offered similar comfort. The driver-oriented cockpit layout, with screen positioning favoring the driver, enhanced the driving experience. However, the A-pillar's angle occasionally obstructed the view of oncoming traffic.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though outdated, was functional with easy-to-use climate-control dials and driveline levers. The front seats provided ample space for larger passengers, though the steering wheel's limited telescoping range might have been an issue for taller drivers. The second-row seats offered abundant legroom but limited headroom for taller passengers. The 4Runner's cargo space was impressive, with up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 89.7 cubic feet with the seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were drawbacks.

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, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium system and a wireless charging pad.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model's 15-speaker JBL premium audio system delivered clear sound, but road noise often obscured the music. Additional terrain controls in the headliner console required familiarity with the owner's manual to fully utilize.

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

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, five stars for side impacts, and three stars for rollover evaluations. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for small overlap frontal tests. The 4Runner included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor. The TRD Pro and Limited trims added a surround-view camera system, with the Limited also featuring front and rear parking sensors.