Dodge Hornet

[Ryan]

Everyone keeps saying that NA got a Hornet twin. Based on what I knew at the supplier launch, its the other way around Alfa got the Hornet twin. There is a BIG difference.

How is that the case when styling is clearly Alfa, with a Dodge grille slapped on? Surely if it was Alfa that got the Hornet twin, we’d see more Dodge influence than a smaller Stelvio clone?

 

[TripleT]

How is that the case when styling is clearly Alfa, with a Dodge grille slapped on? Surely if it was Alfa that got the Hornet twin, we’d see more Dodge influence than a smaller Stelvio clone?

Because there is more to a car than the styling. And a grill is not the front facia, bumper cover, lighting package, hood, rear cap, and rear lift gate. That is a bit more than a grill slapped on it. And again that all we can see, I can tell you for a fact that when launched under SM the Tonale was to be new level of metal replacement, mostly places that you cannot see, making it nearly exotic light. What appears to have happened is the conventional parts, independent of styling destined for the Hornet had apparently made it way to Tonale instead of what was intended originally because as you correctly point out there is not much difference between them other than the cap styling and subtle changes in the interior. It was clearly Pepe Lecheapskate'ed. And from a Alfa perspective to be light, nimble, and quick it has way to much Hornet. Still best in class but not semi-exotic at all.

 

[pumadog]

It's funny to think that Carlos Tavares changed Tonale engineering or structural elements 13 months before Job 1. Never ever. If somebody downgraded the Tonale, it was Manley & Kuniskis/Bigland.

Tavares & Imparato might have stopped engine and equipment options, but not core vehicle parts with supplier contracts in that short timeframe. Tonale is gettting praised for best build quality in Alfa's history and for great handling (in its class). It just lacks stronger engine options in the EU.

 

[TripleT]

It's funny to think that Carlos Tavares changed Tonale engineering or structural elements 13 months before Job 1. Never ever. If somebody downgraded the Tonale, it was Manley & Kuniskis/Bigland.

Tavares & Imparato might have stopped engine and equipment options, but not core vehicle parts with supplier contracts in that short timeframe. Tonale is gettting praised for best build quality in Alfa's history and for great handling (in its class). It just lacks stronger engine options in the EU.

they would be of course line side pull items... inter-changable with metal components. So not only could they be changed Job1 but could be a running cost saving change. Imagine how it would handle and accelerate if lighter.

 

[CloversPlusCats]

So, one of the recent articles said that those who put some kind of orders in for this car are having them built...yet, going onto the official page for the Hornet, there doesn't seem to be a way for people to build and spec theirs just yet. Still the 'sign up for updates' thingy.

Isn't too late to get such page started and running for Dodge, I don't believe, but it is confusing. I wonder if dealers have a better idea of what's up, if they're getting the pesky stingers soon or just as confused as us about things?

 

[UN4GTBL]

I do really like it in this colour: SPOTTED: 2023 Dodge Hornet GT Track Pack AWD In Public.

Still an awkward ride height, but I doubt it would scrape pulling into my work parking lot like our Prius does

 

[CloversPlusCats]

I do really like it in this colour: SPOTTED: 2023 Dodge Hornet GT Track Pack AWD In Public.

Still an awkward ride height, but I doubt it would scrape pulling into my work parking lot like our Prius does

Eh. Pictures don't do it justice that much, I feel absolute boredom looking at them.
Can't wait to see the more vibrant blue (Blu Bayou) one captured, and that Gold (which I think is derived from the Orce color that Alfa uses) is gonna look so much better in person.

 

[CloversPlusCats]

North Texas Auto Show shots.

My favorite part was the shameless admitting to badge engineering an Alfa (peep the video behind it). They didn't even have an Alfa at all here though.

 

[UN4GTBL]

Had an opportunity to sit in a Hornet yesterday at the car show here in Toronto. They had both the Hornet and the new Alfa IIRC, but I didn't sit in the Alfa as there was just too many people everywhere.

Overall, it's ok.

It feels small inside, and my head touches the ceiling in the back seat.

Realistically I'd still prefer a 4xe Compass over the Hornet.

I also sat in a new Prius - it felt a bit better, but I'd have to do a proper back-to-back comparison.

 

[patfromigh]

Had an opportunity to sit in a Hornet yesterday at the car show here in Toronto. They had both the Hornet and the new Alfa IIRC, but I didn't sit in the Alfa as there was just too many people everywhere.

Overall, it's ok.

It feels small inside, and my head touches the ceiling in the back seat.

Realistically I'd still prefer a 4xe Compass over the Hornet.

I also sat in a new Prius - it felt a bit better, but I'd have to do a proper back-to-back comparison.

I checked out the Hornet at the Chicago show. I felt cramped while sitting in the interior. The Alfa Tonale was roped off. I couldn't get near the new Prius. My heart stopped when I looked at the sticker price on the Corolla GR. I also would prefer a Compass 4Xe to a Hornet. I love the interior refresh. The wait for an electrified Compass is much too long and then when we received some of the 2023 Compasses at work, I had a severe case of sticker shock. It is the same price as the discontinued Cherokee X.

The Prius has radically changed and yet the prices have not gone up nearly as much as those of the Stellantis products. I have spent wheel time in the previous generation Prius at work, so I became very interested in the new one. In researching the new Prius I found out the new Prius AWD power train has been stuffed into the Corolla Cross Hybrid. I went to a Toyota dealer and placed a deposit for one. The ordering bank isn't open yet, but as soon as it does the dealer will call me.

 

[UN4GTBL]

I checked out the Hornet at the Chicago show. I felt cramped while sitting in the interior. The Alfa Tonale was roped off. I couldn't get near the new Prius. My heart stopped when I looked at the sticker price on the Corolla GR. I also would prefer a Compass 4Xe to a Hornet. I love the interior refresh. The wait for an electrified Compass is much too long and then when we received some of the 2023 Compasses at work, I had a severe case of sticker shock. It is the same price as the discontinued Cherokee X.

The Prius has radically changed and yet the prices have not gone up nearly as much as those of the Stellantis products. I have spent wheel time in the previous generation Prius at work, so I became very interested in the new one. In researching the new Prius I found out the new Prius AWD power train has been stuffed into the Corolla Cross Hybrid. I went to a Toyota dealer and placed a deposit for one. The ordering bank isn't open yet, but as soon as it does the dealer will call me.

If I was to buy a Toyota to replace our 4th gen Prius, that Corolla Cross Hybrid would probably be the only one I would look at seriously. The new Prius is too small now, the Rav4 hybrid is impossible to get and too "big" for my wife. I'm not convinced that the Toyota dealership experience is superior to a Jeep dealer either, and I don't like Toyota's remote start and keyless ignition systems. (Why does the engine turn off when I open a door? Why can't I lock the vehicle if the vehicle is on and there are no keys in the vehicle?)

I'm trying to lay the ground work for a Compass hybrid for her in the future, as the Prius is just too low to deal with winters here. I just spent too long repairing and respraying the bottom of the front bumper as the previous owners had damaged it and it was a poor repair job. I've been pointing them out to her and asking how big she thinks they are in comparison to her Prius. The Compass is actually shorter than her Prius, but the Compass is wider and taller)

 

[toptechx6]

My wife picked up a 2024 GT+ yesterday with Blacktop and Trak Pack. Had to smile looking at the "parts content" portion of the Monroney sticker. How can you have zero US parts content when it indicates the transmission is US?

 

[TripleT]

My wife picked up a 2024 GT+ yesterday with Blacktop and Trak Pack. Had to smile looking at the "parts content" portion of the Monroney sticker. How can you have zero US parts content when it indicates the transmission is US?

Government Math,

 

[redriderbob]

My wife picked up a 2024 GT+ yesterday with Blacktop and Trak Pack. Had to smile looking at the "parts content" portion of the Monroney sticker. How can you have zero US parts content when it indicates the transmission is US?

lol

 

[redriderbob]

North Texas Auto Show shots.

My favorite part was the shameless admitting to badge engineering an Alfa (peep the video behind it). They didn't even have an Alfa at all here though.

If they would have simply put a different C-pillar on it, it would haven't gotten a bunch of flack

 

[Deckard Cain]

Is the Hornet selling well anyway? Carsalesbase put everything behind a paywall so now I can't follow sales data there.

 

[TripleT]

you need to have the import numbers to make a proper evaluation.... I have seen one on a lot and one on the road.

 

[toptechx6]

There are quite a few on lots here in Florida, perhaps because they come into Jacksonville from Italy, still very few on the road.

 

[redriderbob]

Is the Hornet selling well anyway? Carsalesbase put everything behind a paywall so now I can't follow sales data there.

Dodge Hornet U.S Sales Data & Charts​

US Monthly Sales​

Year	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
2023	0	0	0	877	843	877	562	607	584	0	0	0

 

[redriderbob]

The Hornet is limited by how many are imported from Italy. Its a bad move on Dodge's part.

According to Cars.com, there is roughly 4,900 units for sale or in transit to US dealers right now