Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Dodge Hornet

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee had a familiar design, echoing Jeep's traditional styling cues. It was essentially a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, offering a range of trims from the basic Laredo to the luxurious Summit Reserve. The Grand Cherokee's design paid homage to the classic 1963 Wagoneer, featuring a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with the base Laredo providing good quality cloth seats and the Summit Reserve offering premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, and a high-end McIntosh audio system.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased Dodge's muscle-car DNA with a wide, aggressive front end, bulging hood, and illuminated Rhombi logo. Its rear design resembled a Porsche Macan or Cayenne, giving it a premium feel. The Hornet's standard silver 17-inch wheels looked less impressive from afar, but the Blacktop and Track Pack packages offered more appealing 18-inch and 20-inch wheels, respectively. Inside, the Hornet featured red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, with the GT Plus trim offering more comfortable leather seats and additional features like a sunroof and power-adjustable seats.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The V6 had a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds, while the V8 could tow up to 7,200 pounds. Three 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Trailhawk trim was particularly impressive off-road, with features like an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, outperforming many of its competitors. The Hornet's Sport mode enhanced throttle response, steering, and upshifts, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. While the base Hornet GT was peppy and responsive at lower speeds, it experienced some lag during mid-speed acceleration. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain improved pickup pace, making it a more balanced performer.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a comfortable experience for both driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. Rear-seat room was tight for adults, and the two-row Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's GT Plus trim featured more comfortable leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and memory settings. The cockpit layout was driver-oriented, with the center stack and controls angled towards the driver. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar design occasionally obstructed the view of oncoming traffic. The Hornet's interior space was practical, with heated and ventilated seats available on higher trims and a focus on driver comfort and convenience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and up to five interior touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered improved responsiveness, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The larger 10.1-inch touchscreen was available on most trims, and the optional front passenger interactive display provided additional entertainment options.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's cockpit featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen angled towards 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 premium sound system and a wireless charging pad. The navigation system worked well, though it occasionally continued giving instructions after ending a route.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee came with a robust suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, which provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Grand Cherokee's structure was composed of high-strength steel and aluminum, enhancing its crash protection.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The Tech Pack added a 360-degree surround-view camera, driver-attention monitoring, and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. The Hornet had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA.