Volvo XC90 vs Dodge Hornet

The 2024 Dodge Hornet intended to retain the distinctive brand styling associated with Dodge's V8 muscle cars, even though it was a compact crossover. Its front end had a muscular appearance with integrated heat extractors on the hood, asserting its tough look. The grille featured large openings at various sections, and the new "Rhombi" logo was displayed prominently at the center. This emblem was a new identifier for Dodge models. At the rear, the Hornet showcased a tail lamp stretching across the vehicle's width, marked by an illuminated Rhomb at its center. Oversized tailpipes at the bottom rear corners further emphasized its sporty intentions. The Hornet came in four trim levels - GT, GT Plus, R/T, and R/T Plus, with the latter two being plug-in hybrid variants. The test vehicle, an R/T Plus with the Blacktop Package, featured black wheels, black mirror caps, and darker badging, standing out aesthetically. Sharing its platform with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet bore visual similarities with its Italian sibling but with a blunt nose reflective of classic Dodge design. Inside, the Hornet benefited from a modern interior influenced by its Italian counterpart. The center stack was slightly tilted towards the driver, and physical switches for climate control and an impressive widescreen infotainment display added to its appeal. However, some components like buttons on the steering wheel felt outdated, and the seats, though visually striking, might have been too bolstered for everyday comfort. In contrast, the 2024 Volvo XC90 adopted a more classic yet elegant design. It offered the XC90 in B5, B6, and Recharge T8 models, each with all-wheel-drive (AWD) and varying levels of performance. The exterior paint palette emphasized luxury and practicality, featuring subdued and earthy tones. The wheel designs ranged up to 21 inches, with most models adopting a Bright theme. Inside, the XC90 had a more sophisticated interior, with rich materials, especially in the Ultimate trim. There were wool-blend upholstery and ventilated Nappa leather options. Adding a touch of opulence was the Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim. Volvo provided more customization options for interior materials and colors compared to many rivals, making the XC90 highly appealing to discerning customers.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet came with two primary powertrains, delineated by GT and R/T trims. The GT had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It utilized a nine-speed automatic transmission with AWD and required premium fuel. The R/T was a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 15.5-kWh battery, and two electric motors. This setup combined for 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, utilizing an electric AWD system and a six-speed automatic transmission. Despite its added weight, the Hornet R/T displayed impressive performance. It featured a Sport mode and a “Powershot” function delivering an extra 30 horsepower for 15 seconds. The suspension was well-tuned to balance comfort and cornering stability. The Hornet R/T offered an all-electric range of about 30 miles, making it attractive for short commutes. On the other hand, the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 integrated an 18.8-kWh battery and a 107-kW electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This combination delivered 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. It offered an estimated 32 miles of electric-only driving, with a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg when driven as a hybrid. Recharging the XC90 was convenient, especially with a 240-volt outlet which halved the charging time compared to a standard outlet. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Hybrid, Power, Off-Road, and AWD modes to tailor performance according to the driving conditions. During the test, the XC90 Recharge managed various driving scenarios efficiently, though its electric-only range fell slightly short of expectations in high temperatures. Once the gas engine activated, the XC90 demonstrated lively acceleration and robust performance.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet prioritized front passenger comfort, offering good headroom and visibility. However, the back seat felt cramped due to the high beltline and dark interior. While legroom and headroom figures were adequate on paper (approximately 38 inches), the rear seat had a claustrophobic feel. The cargo space was affected by the PHEV battery in the R/T trim, providing 22.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 50.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. In contrast, the GT trim offered slightly more space. The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 excelled in interior comfort and luxury across all trim levels. Even the base Core trim was well-equipped with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. Higher trims added features like ventilated and massaging seats, enhanced lighting, and an integrated booster child seat. The panoramic glass roof added an airy feel to the interior. The XC90's front seats were adjustable with extendable lower leg supports, although these sometimes hindered easy entry. Despite a steep learning curve for the seat adjustments, the seats themselves were highly comfortable. The XC90 could accommodate seven passengers or six with optional captain’s chairs. Though adult access to the third row was tight, the space was more accommodating than expected, and the vehicle offered substantial cargo space: up to 85.7 cubic feet with second and third rows folded.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet impressed with its technology offerings, featuring a 12.3-inch digital driver information display and a 10.25-inch widescreen infotainment display. The UConnect 5 system was user-friendly and customizable, though there were occasional lags. The system supported wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the test vehicle included a premium Harman Kardon audio system and wireless phone charging. The 2024 Volvo XC90 integrated Google Built-in technology in its 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This setup included Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant for voice recognition. Standard features also included Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM radio, with an option for a superior 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Though the touchscreen seemed small, its proximity to the driver made it less of an issue. The overall system provided an improved and intuitive experience compared to previous Volvo models.

The safety features of the 2024 Dodge Hornet included standard automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Advanced adaptive cruise control with traffic-sign recognition was available as an upgrade. The Tech Pack offered Level 2 autonomous driving functions, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-tracing assist. The 2024 Volvo XC90 had a strong reputation for safety, with a five-star rating from NHTSA in multiple assessments and a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS. Although it lagged in the innovation of advanced driver assistance systems, it included features like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, large-animal detection, and traffic movement alerts. Pilot Assist, Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system, worked efficiently but had some shortcomings in complex scenarios, such as freeway exits and rural roads.