2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 exhibited a design that drew inspiration from its sedan counterpart, the G70, particularly above the belt-line. Its split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that curved from behind the rear window were notable features that visually connected it to the G70. This chrome bar cleverly suggested a coupe-like SUV design without compromising versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to luxury, with top-notch materials and excellent fit and finish. The interior design was both contemporary and classic, featuring climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that seamlessly rose from the dash. The GV70's dash included a full touchscreen, a rotary dial, and button controls, offering a user-friendly interface. The physical rollers on the center console and steering wheel were a practical touch, reminiscent of older Mercedes models.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased a front end that unmistakably displayed Dodge's muscle-car DNA, with a wide, aggressive "raccoon mask" face, a bulging hood, and dual extractors. The rear of the Hornet, however, bore a resemblance to the Porsche Macan or Cayenne, with upward-pointing windows that added a premium touch. The Hornet's design was based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale, built in Italy, which might have been a departure for Dodge brand loyalists. The Hornet offered a range of exterior color options, continuing Dodge's "High Impact Paint" tradition. Inside, the Hornet featured standard red stitching accents and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, emphasizing its performance-inspired roots. The GT Plus trim offered more comfort with leather seats and additional features, while the base GT trim had cloth seats with manual adjustments.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered two gas-powered engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70's turbo-four engine provided ample power for most driving situations, while the V6 catered to performance enthusiasts with its extra grunt and throaty engine note. The GV70's driving experience was a blend of comfort and sharp handling, making it a well-rounded luxury SUV. The Electrified GV70 featured a 77.4-kWh battery pack powering two electric motors, producing a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It offered a smooth acceleration experience, with a Boost Mode that temporarily increased output to 483 horsepower. The electric GV70 had a range of 236 miles and supported DC fast charging, replenishing the battery from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted "best-in-class performance" with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, generating 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This power output surpassed most competitors in the CUV segment, with only the Mazda CX-30 coming close. The Hornet's base model emitted a low, menacing rumble, adding to its performance appeal. In Sport mode, the Hornet's throttle responses were sharpened, steering tightened, and upshifts optimized, achieving a zero-to-60 time of 6.5 seconds. The Hornet GT was peppy from a standstill, though it experienced a noticeable lag when accelerating from cruising speeds. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain improved pickup pace, offering a more responsive driving experience.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with the seats in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. It featured a hands-free power liftgate and decently large cupholders in the center console. The front seats were comfortable and adjustable, but rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to slide their seats forward. The rear bench could recline for added comfort.

In the 2023 Dodge Hornet, the GT Plus trim offered more comfortable leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and two memory settings. The front passenger seat matched the driver's for adjustability, though it lacked memory function. Both seats were heated and ventilated by default in the GT Plus trim. The Hornet's cockpit had a driver-oriented layout, with the screen and controls angled toward the driver. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar's angle occasionally obstructed the view of oncoming traffic from the right.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. Genesis provided helpful buttons in the center console and a rotary dial for scrolling and selecting, though its proximity to the vehicle's rotary shifter could cause confusion. The GV70 came equipped with four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Additional features included ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and the Genesis digital key.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet emphasized 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 and easy to use, with a long, wide screen that made Apple CarPlay more accessible. The Hornet came with a six-speaker sound system, while the GT Plus trim offered a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, dual-phone Bluetooth connectivity, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim added a wireless charging pad and navigation.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The 2.5T's Advance Package added a blind-spot camera system, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The Electrified GV70 included most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came standard with advanced driver-assistance features, such as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, a rear backup camera, and a rear park-assist system. The Tech Pack, available on both trims, added a front, side, and rear park-assist system, driver-attention monitoring, and a 360 "ParkView" surround-view camera. The Tech Pack also enabled Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities, including lane-centering, intelligent speed assist, and intelligent adaptive cruise control with traffic-sign recognition and stop & go functionality. The Hornet had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA.