2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased unmistakable Dodge DNA with its muscle-car styling cues, including a wide, aggressive front end, bulging hood, dual extractors, and the classic Dodge "mail slot" beneath the illuminated Rhombi logo. From the rear, the Hornet bore a resemblance to the Porsche Macan or Cayenne, with upward-pointing windows giving it a premium feel. The standard silver 17-inch wheels appeared cheap from afar, but the Blacktop and Track Pack packages offered more appealing wheel options. Inside, the Hornet featured performance-inspired elements like red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, with various seat options ranging from manual-adjust cloth to power-adjustable perforated leather.

The 2024 Volvo XC90, available in B5, B6, and Recharge T8 models, offered a subdued and earthy exterior paint palette, aligning with its luxury SUV status. The XC90's interior, though dated, was fitted with rich materials, including wool-blend upholstery and ventilated Nappa leather. The Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim added a touch of class. The XC90's exterior featured various wheel designs up to 21 inches, with most versions sporting a Bright theme with chrome and polished metal accents. The Ultimate trim level included luxurious features like massaging front seats, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and an active air suspension.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted "best-in-class performance" with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This power output surpassed most competitors, with only the Mazda CX-30 coming close. The Hornet's Sport mode enhanced throttle response, steering, and upshifts, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. While the base Hornet GT was peppy from a standstill, it experienced a noticeable lag when accelerating from cruising speeds. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain improved pickup pace, making it a more responsive option.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The XC90 offered 32 miles of electric-only range and an estimated 27 mpg in hybrid mode. Recharging the battery took about 12 hours with a standard outlet or less than half that time with a 240-volt outlet. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road, with up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance. Despite its impressive power, the XC90's handling was more suited to luxury than performance, with a firm ride and less-than-ideal steering feedback.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's GT Plus trim offered more comfortable leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and two memory settings. The cockpit layout favored the driver, with a screen positioning and control placements that felt natural. However, the A-pillar's angle occasionally obstructed the view of traffic from the right. The front passenger seat matched the driver's for adjustability, and both seats were heated and ventilated in the GT Plus trim.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in Core trim, featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims included additional luxuries like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The XC90's front seats had adjustable lower leg support bolsters, though they could catch on clothing. The XC90 seated seven or six with optional captain's chairs, and the third-row seats were more accommodating than expected. Cargo capacity reached up to 85.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet featured a driver-focused cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. The Uconnect 5 system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, dual-phone Bluetooth connectivity, and Amazon Alexa. The GT Plus trim added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, wireless charging pad, and navigation.

The 2024 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system used Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM were standard, with optional 14-speaker Harman Kardon or 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio systems. The XC90's infotainment system was more intuitive than previous versions, and the digital voice assistant provided a generally rewarding experience. The XC90 also included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and optional head-up display and surround-view camera.

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 front, side, and rear park-assist, driver-attention monitoring, and a 360-degree surround-view camera, enabling Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. The Hornet had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA in all but rollover resistance and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in 2023. The XC90 included expected safety features and unique ones like large-animal detection and a traffic notification system. However, its advanced driving assistance systems were not as innovative as some rivals, and it lacked a hands-free driving system. Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, worked well overall but had occasional issues with lane markings and curves.