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Automakers are learning how to make crossovers fun – and Dodge is the latest to figure it out. After spending some time in the new 2023 Hornet GT, we can confirm that Dodge has delivered on its promise to make a small SUV that appeals to enthusiasts. Better yet, the cheapest Hornet is still a riot to drive. We had a chance to take one for a spin during the 2023 Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) Spring Rally at Road America, and we walked away grinning. 

What comes standard on the base Dodge Hornet?

A blue 2023 Dodge Hornet GT drives quickly with green trees in the background.
2023 Dodge Hornet GT | Dodge, Stellantis

The base Dodge Hornet GT comes standard with a slew of performance features that help it live up to car enthusiasts’ demands. According to Stellantis, this is what you’ll find in even the most sparsely equipped Hornet SUVs:

  • A turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque
  • Nine-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode
  • Rear-bias all-wheel drive 
  • Electronic limited-slip differential 
  • Shared platform with the Alfa Romeo Tonale 

At first blush, the Dodge Hornet looks like just another basic crossover. But it’s clear from behind the wheel that Dodge put real effort and thought into making the Hornet an exciting sports SUV – even in its base form. The designers gave it the right features to give drivers memorable experiences. 

Dodge made its cheapest SUV fun to drive 

The 2023 Dodge Hornet GT parked in an urban setting at night.
2023 Dodge Hornet GT | Dodge, Stellantis

The Dodge Hornet GT is a crossover that creates smiles.  

We didn’t know what to expect when hopping into the base Hornet GT at the 2023 MAMA Spring Rally. We first attempted to take out the Hornet R/T with its plug-in hybrid powertrain – but, ironically, it was nearly out of gas. 

So, we jumped in the GT and took off on the street test route around the perimeter of Road America. What we found in the driver’s seat was surprising and hilariously fun. 

Punch the throttle in the Hornet GT, and you’ll experience about a one-second delay before hitting boost. The turbocharger hits like a hammer, seeming to dump its full power in a single heap. The Hornet GT jumps out, pushing you into the driver’s seat and triggering some torque steer for a moment. Some might find that torque steer off-putting – I found it an entertaining part of the SUV’s dramatic personality. 

The nine-speed auto box responds enthusiastically to aggressive driving. It’ll happily go straight up to redline before shifting under hard acceleration.

Stay in the throttle around the corner, and the Hornet GT’s Italian DNA comes through with planted, engaging handling. It stays flat and grippy through each curve while doling out a satisfying helping of body roll. 

I pushed the shifter (no rotary dial here) into manual-shift mode on the straights. The slap shift function works flawlessly. 

It all came together to make one of the day’s most memorable and surprising drives. 

Is the base Dodge Hornet GT worth it?

Close up shot of the 2023 Dodge Hornet GT's badging.
2023 Dodge Hornet GT Badging | Dodge, Stellantis

The Dodge Hornet R/T will naturally draw attention from automotive enthusiasts with its more powerful PHEV powertrain. However, the base Hornet GT proves itself to be an exciting crossover in its own right. 

At just $30,000, the Hornet GT is an outstanding value. It’s miles more fun to drive than most models in its segment, while its cabin and seating position are more comfortable than most smaller hot hatchbacks. 

Sure – the Dodge crossover may not be as technically sound as some sport crossovers. But its flair for the dramatic, potent powertrain and impressive list of standard performance features is a recipe for fun. 

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Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Scott Prewitt

Scott Prewitt joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2023 as a Staff Writer for the SUV section. During college, he began his career in journalism as Editor in Chief of The Creightonian. After graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, News and Public Relations, Scott spent time in a local newsroom. He soon found his way to the world of automotive journalism and has been writing about cars since 2017.

A passion for all things automotive began at a young age. Playing Gran Turismo racing games in the early 2000s sparked an interest in cars and Scott began devouring Car and Driver stories when he was in the fourth grade. Since then, Scott’s enthusiasm for autos has grown to become the focal point of his career as a journalist.

By combining the skills that earned him the News Graduate of the Year 2016 and the Omaha Press Club Recognition & Academic Scholarship with a craving for knowledge of automotive industry, Scott covers a wide range of content from breaking news about the latest SUV models to designated off-road and overlanding rigs. His reporting is informed by personal experiences like road trips, intriguing automotive history, and time spent poring over various outlets and YouTube channels. Scott is drawn to car culture because, in his own words,  “these vehicles are a combination of purpose-built engineering and emotive, expressive design.”

The personal aspects of the autos world are of particular interest to Scott, and he is fascinated by the relationship between humans and cars. Years of writing for dealerships across the country and time in the corporate communications world lend to his expertise as a writer here at MotorBiscuit.