2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, particularly in its 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE), was a tribute to retro styling with a modern touch. Built on the SR5 Premium trim level, the 40 ASE added an additional $4,505 to the base price. The package included a 4WD system and distinctive features such as retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and bronze badges and stitching. The 4Runner's design paid homage to 1970s aesthetics, evident in its yellow, orange, and red stripes and a distinct SoCal vibe.

This fifth-generation 4Runner retained its classic truck-based SUV look, exuding a rugged and enduring appeal. Though the interior had ample plastic, it felt solid and functional, highlighted by large, user-friendly controls that could be operated even with gloves on.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Dodge Hornet flaunted a design steeped in Dodge's muscle-car DNA. Its front end featured the wide “raccoon mask” face, a bulging hood, dual extractors, and the signature “mail slot” just beneath the illuminated Dodge Rhombi logo. From the side and rear quarter, the Hornet bore a resemblance to the Porsche Macan or Cayenne, albeit with windows designed in a cat-eye fashion. This aesthetic shift aimed to blend the bold muscle-car style with the family-oriented design language of the 2020s.

Standard 17-inch silver wheels on the base model did not exude a premium feel. However, packages like Blacktop and Track Pack offered upgrades like 18-inch black alloy wheels and 20-inch wheels respectively, and performance enhancements such as red Brembo brake calipers. Dodge continued its “High Impact Paint” tradition with vibrant color options, ensuring the Hornet stood out. Inside, red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel emphasized its sporty nature, with GT Plus trim adding luxury features like eight-way power-adjustable seats.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with a robust 4.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with two optional 4WD systems: a part-time system and a full-time option on the Limited trim. The 4Runner boasted a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and had several off-roading technologies like hill-start assist, downhill assist control, and active traction control. Various trims offered additional off-road capabilities, such as locking differentials and a Crawl Control system. Despite its rugged capabilities, the 4Runner had flaws in its everyday performance, including leisurely acceleration, heavy and slow steering, and a brake pedal that operated like a light switch. It was more comfortable off-road than as a daily driver.

In comparison, the 2023 Dodge Hornet's claim to “best-in-class performance” was backed by its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This power significantly outclassed most CUV rivals. The Hornet's sporty demeanor was complemented by a throaty exhaust note and Sport mode that enhanced throttle response, steering, and upshifts, achieving a zero-to-60 time of 6.5 seconds. Acceleration from a standstill was brisk and responsive, though mid-speed acceleration revealed some lag.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was lauded for its practical features like the rear window that powered down into the tailgate, enhancing the vehicle's flow-through ventilation. The interior was spacious, with comfortable seats covered in SofTex artificial leather, and the second row offered good legroom, headroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Though the optional third-row seat added capacity, it was cramped and reduced cargo space to a mere 9 cubic feet. Without the third-row seat, the 4Runner provided a substantial 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet’s interior was driver-focused, with a cockpit layout and screen positioning favoring the driver. The GT Plus trim featured luxurious leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and memory settings, providing noticeable comfort. The base GT trim had cloth seats that were less comfortable. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar’s design occasionally obstructed the view during left turns. In terms of cargo capacity, the Hornet’s dimensions were more modest compared to the 4Runner, reflecting its CUV classification but still ample for its class.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was retro-fitted with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen as the maximum infotainment display. Despite its old-school approach, the infotainment system was highly functional, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. Voice recognition performed admirably, albeit with some limitations.

Conversely, the 2023 Dodge Hornet embraced modern technology with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen angled towards the driver. The Uconnect 5 system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim added features like a wireless charging pad and navigation. The standard six-speaker system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium system.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered essential safety features through Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, its crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and Marginal driver protection from IIHS tests.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. Standard equipment on the base GT trim included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and rear park-assist. The Tech Pack added advanced features like a surround-view camera and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. As the Hornet had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA, its safety ratings were not available.