GMC Terrain vs Dodge Hornet

The 2022 GMC Terrain underwent a series of updates, including refreshed front styling, new wheel designs, and updated taillights and interior trim. The introduction of the AT4 trim level brought a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. The AT4 also featured a steel skid plate to protect vital components. The test vehicle, with its Ebony Twilight metallic paint and black leather interior, was equipped with several packages, raising its MSRP to $41,810. Despite the high price, the Terrain's interior materials and design did not fully meet expectations, with some features like the head-up display and pushbutton transmission controls being less intuitive.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased a strong Dodge DNA with its muscle-car styling cues, including a wide "raccoon mask" face, bulging hood, and illuminated Rhombi logo. The rear design, reminiscent of a Porsche Macan or Cayenne, added a premium touch, reflecting its Alfa Romeo Tonale roots. The Hornet offered a choice of wheel designs, with the Blacktop and Track Pack packages providing larger and more stylish options. The Hornet continued Dodge's tradition of "High Impact Paint" with seven vibrant color options. Inside, the Hornet emphasized performance with red stitching accents and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, while offering a range of seating options, including leather and Alcantara.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While the engine provided adequate performance, it lacked the acceleration and towing capacity of the previously available 2.0-liter engine. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the torque band, but the Terrain struggled with rapid acceleration. The AT4 model offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control. However, torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The Terrain's suspension provided a smooth ride on highways, but off-road performance was limited by its ground clearance and tire grip. Fuel economy was satisfactory, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted "best-in-class 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, with only the Mazda CX-30 coming close. The Hornet's Sport mode enhanced throttle response, steering, and upshifts, achieving a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds. While the Hornet was responsive at lower speeds, it experienced lag during mid-speed acceleration. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain improved pickup pace, offering a more balanced performance.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a spacious interior with numerous comfort features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat offered ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. Cargo space was generous, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Terrain also featured a foldable front passenger seat for longer items.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's GT Plus trim offered more comfortable leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and memory settings. The cockpit layout was driver-oriented, with screen positioning favoring the driver. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar design occasionally obstructed views. The Hornet's interior emphasized performance, with features like heated and ventilated seats and a driver-focused layout.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy and responsiveness. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen, both angled toward the driver. The Uconnect 5 system was intuitive and easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging, and navigation. The navigation system was generally effective, though it occasionally continued giving instructions after ending a route.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the Terrain's crashworthiness.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet included standard driver-assistance features such as 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 surround-view camera, driver-attention monitoring, and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. The Hornet had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA.