2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed with a focus on appealing aesthetics, featuring well-proportioned and chiseled styling that conveyed a rugged sense of purpose. It was a vehicle that balanced SUV detailing with a handsome appearance, ensuring it was attractive to potential buyers. The Rogue's design choices were conservative, reflecting Nissan's strategy to maintain the vehicle's popularity by avoiding radical changes.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased a bold design that was unmistakably Dodge, with muscle-car styling cues such as a wide "raccoon mask" face, a bulging hood, and dual extractors. The Hornet's rear design drew comparisons to premium models like the Porsche Macan, hinting at a more upscale direction. The Hornet's design choices were more divisive, particularly the standard silver 17-inch wheels, which some found cheap-looking. However, the Hornet offered customization options like the Blacktop and Track Pack packages, allowing buyers to enhance its sporty appearance.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine aimed to deliver a balance of performance and fuel economy, though it fell short of expectations with an average of 28.9 mpg in testing. The Rogue's CVT transmission was generally smooth, but its simulated gear changes could feel dramatic. While the Rogue excelled in urban driving, it lacked highway passing power and had some refinement issues, such as engine noise and vibration.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted impressive performance with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This power output surpassed most competitors, making the Hornet a standout in its class. The Hornet's Sport mode enhanced throttle response and steering, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. While the Hornet was responsive at lower speeds, it experienced a noticeable lag when accelerating from cruising speeds. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain offered improved pickup performance.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue provided a spacious and practical interior, accommodating four passengers comfortably, with room for a fifth if needed. The Platinum trim offered premium features like a triple-zone climate control system, panoramic sunroof, and Zero Gravity seats, though rear seat comfort was lacking. The Rogue's cargo space was generous, with up to 74.1 cubic feet available when the rear seats were folded. However, the design of the key fob and some interior storage areas left room for improvement.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's interior emphasized driver comfort and control, with the GT Plus trim offering leather seats with four-way lumbar adjustment and memory settings. The cockpit layout favored the driver, with a screen and controls angled for easy access. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar design could obstruct views in certain situations. The Hornet's interior design catered to performance enthusiasts, with features like Alcantara seats available in the Track Pack.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. The test vehicle included a 9-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system. However, the voice recognition system struggled with accuracy, and the Alexa Built-in feature was not fully functional. The Rogue also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet impressed with its driver-focused technology, featuring a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 system. The Hornet's infotainment system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and navigation. The Hornet's technology package provided a seamless and user-friendly experience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received lower scores in specific crash tests. ProPilot Assist performed well in real-world testing, providing adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet offered standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The Tech Pack added advanced features such as a 360-degree camera and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. However, the Hornet had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, leaving its safety performance unverified.