2024 Dodge Hornet Engine Options

The current use of the Hornet nameplate reaches back to the Hudson Hornet of the 1950s. Its streamlined body and low center of gravity allowed for refined handling, making it a favorite among race car drivers and car enthusiasts.

What’s more, it featured an inline-six with a displacement of 308 cubic inches (the largest among mass-produced vehicles at the time), which could make 145 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque while sending the car from zero to 60 mph in under 13 seconds. Remember, this was an era when triple-digit speeds were rare, so the Hornet was a hot commodity.

Eventually, through a complex history that involved multiple mergers, the rights to the Hornet name passed on to Dodge, which — after the scrapped launch of a concept Hornet mini-car in 2006 — introduced the Dodge Hornet crossover utility vehicle in 2023. Now in the model’s second year of production, the 2024 Hornet is available in not one but two engine options that both do well by the nameplate’s legacy.

While last year’s model offered just one choice of powertrains, the 2024 Dodge Hornet introduces a second option that outperforms the already impressive base engine. Let’s look at how they stack up.

The base engine 2024 Dodge Hornet is a 2.0-liter inline-four. Should you opt for the GT or GT Plus trim, that’s what you’ll find under the hood. It generates 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which seems outsized given the vehicle’s compact dimensions.

The performance engine option for the Dodge Hornet is a 1.3-liter inline-four paired with an electric motor in what is Dodge’s first plug-in hybrid system. This setup comes with the R/T and R/T Plus, the two new trims added for the 2024 model year. The combined output here goes up to 288 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.

The all-gas GT and GT Plus trims come with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the R/T and R/T Plus plug-in hybrid models feature a six-speed automatic transmission. Broadly speaking, a higher number of transmission speeds correlates with quicker, smoother acceleration, optimal engine performance, and superior fuel economy. Presumably, the R/T and R/T Plus need fewer transmission speeds because the electric output already allows them to accelerate faster, optimize engine use, and economize fuel consumption.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2024 Dodge Hornet GT and GT Plus both consume 4.1 gallons of fuel per 100 miles, resulting in a fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. EPA estimates, then, that the all-gas Hornet models ought to run you about $2,250 in fuel costs per year, assuming current gasoline prices, 15,000 annual miles, and a 45/55 split between highway and city driving.

The Hornet R/T and R/T Plus , however, get an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 77 MPGe, with a 33-mile all-electric range. Based on EPA’s estimates, opting for either plug-in hybrid model should amount to around $1,300 in annual fuel costs, saving you around $3,000 over five years compared to the average new vehicle.

The base engine in the 2024 Dodge Hornet GT or GT Plus delivers enough power to take you from zero to 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds (around half the time of the original Hudson Hornet, by the way).

As for the 288 hp hybrid engine, you’re getting a top speed of 128 mph, which is good enough to get you from zero to 60 in around 5.5 seconds. Keep in mind that we’re talking about a plug-in hybrid vehicle, which is heavier than its fully gas-powered counterpart given the heft of the battery. Even with the added weight, the plug-in hybrid trims offer considerably greater accelerating power than the GT or GT Plus.

No matter your choice of engine, the 2024 Dodge Hornet is a pleasure to drive. Its handling is similar to a sports car’s, offering impressive responsiveness and agility.

There are a couple of key performance technologies featured in the 2024 Dodge Hornet, specifically the R/T and R/T Plus plug-in hybrid varieties:

Dodge’s Class-Exclusive PowerShot feature is a mode that enables a temporary boost in power output. To activate PowerShot, all you have to do is pull both of the paddle shifters. The result is an increase of 30 hp, allowing you to realize the maximum output of 288 hp in the R/T and R/T Plus trims.

The R/T and R/T trims also offer three distinctive drive modes that allow you to exercise greater control over the vehicle. These are:

• Hybrid mode: This is the default drive mode for the plug-in hybrid trims. With Hybrid mode activated, the vehicle draws power from both the 1.3-liter inline-four engine and the electric motor, allowing you to realize the full potential of the vehicle’s efficiency and performance.
• Electric mode: In Electric mode, the Hornet prioritizes electric driving so that you’re putting out virtually no carbon emissions. On a full charge, you can travel up to 33 miles before having to switch to gas power.
• eSave mode: With eSave mode, the vehicle draws power primarily from the gas engine so you can preserve the battery. There are two sub-modes in eSave mode, too. Passive eSave maintains the battery charge as is, while Active eSave helps charge the battery.

Regenerative braking is an important feature that’s common among electric vehicles. When you brake, the system recovers and stores the kinetic energy produced. This is what allows the Hornet to charge the battery even while it’s in use.

The 2024 Hornet is an exciting addition to the Dodge lineup. Both the all-gas and plug-in hybrid trims deliver high-end performance, while the latter options also provide terrific sustainability. For more information about new Dodge vehicles such as the 2024 Hornet, as well as local attractions in the Benton area, we encourage you to explore our blog at Campbell Cars. Should you have any questions specifically about the Hornet, or if you want to schedule a test drive, feel free to reach out to us online or visit us at our dealership at 7800 Alcoa Road in Benton, Arkansas.