2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a stylish and high-quality option in the compact crossover SUV segment. It looked and felt more like a small luxury SUV, thanks to its refined materials and sophisticated design. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the CX-5 boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Mazda had redesigned and renamed the CX-5 as the CX-50, but the 2023 model still exuded quality, refinement, and sophistication across all its versions.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Hornet displayed unmistakable Dodge DNA with its muscle-car styling cues, including a wide, mean "raccoon mask" face, bulging hood, and dual extractors. The rear end resembled a Porsche Macan or Cayenne, giving it a more premium feel. The Hornet was based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale and built in Italy, which added to its aspirational design. The standard silver 17-inch wheels looked cheap from afar, but the available Blacktop and Track Pack packages offered more appealing options. Inside, the Hornet featured performance-inspired elements like red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, with various seat options depending on the trim level.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). It achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo model featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This engine also paired with a six-speed automatic and standard AWD, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with responsive handling and a firm, connected ride quality.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet, on the other hand, 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, including the Chevy Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, and Hyundai Kona. The Hornet's Sport mode sharpened throttle responses, tightened steering, and optimized upshifts, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. The base Hornet GT was peppy and responsive, though it exhibited some lag when accelerating from cruising speeds. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain improved pickup pace, making it a more well-rounded performer.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 featured improved front seats for better comfort and support, with height-adjustable seats for both the driver and front passenger. Higher trims offered power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Signature trim included luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with small storage areas, a cramped back seat, and a cargo capacity of 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's 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. The cockpit layout favored the driver, with the center stack and controls angled toward them. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar design could obstruct the view of traffic from certain angles. The Hornet's interior design emphasized performance, with features like a flat-bottomed steering wheel and red stitching.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure. However, it lacked a helpful voice recognition system and had awkward physical controls on the center console. The control knob required a series of twists and pushes to execute commands, making it distracting to use while driving. Despite these issues, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's cockpit focused on the driver, 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 wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, wireless charging pad, and navigation. The navigation system worked well, though it occasionally continued giving instructions after ending a route.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with most driver assistance technologies offered as standard under the i-Activsense banner. Exclusive features for the 2.5 Turbo Signature included a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, rear low-speed automatic emergency braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 received five-star ratings in every assessment from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came standard with advanced driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, 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 added a front, side, and rear park-assist system, driver-attention monitoring, and a 360 "ParkView" surround-view camera. The Hornet was capable of Level 2 autonomous driving with the Tech Pack, 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.