How Good Of Fuel Economy Does The New 2023 Dodge Hornet GT Get?

A Lot More Power, But A Little Less MPG Than The 2023 Compass...

Robert S. Miller January 28, 2023

2023 Dodge Hornet GT Track Pack in Gray Cray. (MoparInsiders).

There has been a lot of excitement surrounding the all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet GT, lately. The new C-segment utility vehicle (C-UV) should be arriving in dealer showrooms any day now for those who ordered one back in August.

But while we continue to wait, people have continued to wonder what the fuel economy numbers will be for the Hornet GT and GT Plus. Powered by the Hurricane4 engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder, the Hornet debuts as the segment’s most powerful gas engine offering 268 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (that is 27 less horsepower, but 35 more lb.-ft. of torque than Durango’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6).

While the same engine has just been released under the hood of the 2023 Jeep® Compass, a vehicle that shares the same architecture as the Hornet, the Compass version only produced 200 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft. of torque. Unlike the Hornet, which uses a ZF-sourced 9-speed 948TE automatic transmission, the Compass now comes with an 8-speed 8F30 automatic allowing it to produce fuel economy numbers of 24 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy / 27 MPG combined. And just like the Hornet, the Compass comes standard across its lineup with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard equipment.

So how does the much more powerful Hornet GT stand up against the new Compass? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Hornet GT’s turbocharged 2.0-liter, 9-speed automatic, and AWD is able to achieve a rating of 21 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy / 24 MPG combined. So that is a 3 MPG difference across the board. But, if we know our Dodge fans, they won’t worry about the 3 MPG knowing that they have 68 more horsepower and 24 more lb.-ft. of torque on tap.

It should also be noted, that while the Compass does return better fuel economy numbers, it has able to run on regular 87-octane fuel. However, switching to the Hornet, you will need to fill up with at least premium 93-octane to get its full performance (91-octane fuel is required).

Both the 2023 Hornet GT and Compass Sport have a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $29,995. So we can now see why even though both vehicles have the same engines, why both have totally different specs. While the Hornet caters to more of the performance crowd, the Compass will continue to the “adventure” crowd without stepping on each other heels.

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

I am so glad Dodge got into this market. I do wish for a mid-size to be a true Journey replacement. I see here in this article it is being compared to the Jeep Compass due to size matching/segment. I enjoyed the comparison. But on a side note, getting back to the Compass story that was posted 1/26 on the "New Turbocharged 2023 Jeep Compass". I was surprised that the new Turbocharged 2.0 in-line four cylinder is only getting 27 24/32 MPG and every one is thrilled with that. As an owner of a 2017 Jeep Cherokee, which my wife is primary driver, she gets the same MPG, at times better, than the projected Compass. So we have an older vehicle with the GREAT 3.6 liter, which is heaver and slightly bigger SUV, yet Jeep customers have thrown their money at the smaller Compass, putting the current Cherokee to its rest next month, at least for the time being. Can't figure out why the flocking to the Compass. I hope something good comes of this. I would like to see the over seas Commander 3 row Jeep (based on the Cherokee Platform) make it to the US as the next Cherokee, and maybe a sister version as a Dodge "Journey". If not, the Mexican Journey would be a nice fit here in the US. The more I read about it and see it the more I like it. I do wish the Hornet much success and great sales numbers!!!!

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TripleT Jan 30, 2023 #2

I am so glad Dodge got into this market. I do wish for a mid-size to be a true Journey replacement. I see here in this article it is being compared to the Jeep Compass due to size matching/segment. I enjoyed the comparison. But on a side note, getting back to the Compass story that was posted 1/26 on the "New Turbocharged 2023 Jeep Compass". I was surprised that the new Turbocharged 2.0 in-line four cylinder is only getting 27 24/32 MPG and every one is thrilled with that. As an owner of a 2017 Jeep Cherokee, which my wife is primary driver, she gets the same MPG, at times better, than the projected Compass. So we have an older vehicle with the GREAT 3.6 liter, which is heaver and slightly bigger SUV, yet Jeep customers have thrown their money at the smaller Compass, putting the current Cherokee to its rest next month, at least for the time being. Can't figure out why the flocking to the Compass. I hope something good comes of this. I would like to see the over seas Commander 3 row Jeep (based on the Cherokee Platform) make it to the US as the next Cherokee, and maybe a sister version as a Dodge "Journey". If not, the Mexican Journey would be a nice fit here in the US. The more I read about it and see it the more I like it. I do wish the Hornet much success and great sales numbers!!!!

Dodge has grown past rental company specials. I not sure what you liked about the Journey other than price, it was literally the poorest Mopar I have ever owned. The horrible Mitsubishi platform made on a different version of CATIA was always a issue. As for the CUSW platform it is dead. As for the Trumpchi sold in Mexico, that arrangement is falling apart, not sure how a Chinese built car would fair here. I get that people are looking for affordable, but they are looking no to print cars for zero margin. I do expect a Mid-Sided SUV from Dodge but sharing more with the Airflow and KM then anything else.

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Mike201 Jan 30, 2023 #3

Dodge has grown past rental company specials. I not sure what you liked about the Journey other than price, it was literally the poorest Mopar I have ever owned. The horrible Mitsubishi platform made on a different version of CATIA was always a issue. As for the CUSW platform it is dead. As for the Trumpchi sold in Mexico, that arrangement is falling apart, not sure how a Chinese built car would fair here. I get that people are looking for affordable, but they are looking no to print cars for zero margin. I do expect a Mid-Sided SUV from Dodge but sharing more with the Airflow and KM then anything else.

A couple of things to answer your questions, or comments...
1) On the "rental Specials", that can be said for ALL Mopars, I have rented a 300, Charger and was tempted to rent a Challenger, but needed something bigger. Also have had Jeeps from rentals, so that seems irrelevant.
2) I was given a Journey, by my dealer, (one of their loaners, well equipped, not a rental) when my Charger was in the shop. Found the size better (bigger) than my Cherokee, and I liked the 3rd row. Never popped the hood so not sure what it had, but had no issues with power. I have several co-workers who have them and out of 4, only one said he is not a fan.
3) As for the Chinese made Mexican version, I said I liked the look/style and size. Maybe something similar can be made here or in Mexico to give us that bigger option.

Seems may other car companies US and forigen are putting out several sizes of their SUV's and crossovers. Seems Mopar is down sizing so much won't be much to choose from. Even lost our mid-size car a few years back. Kind of sucks. Mopar has NO market for ages 18-25. My 25 year old daughter drives a Chrysler 200 and LOVES it. What does Mopar have for her when its time to trade it in? NOTHING!!! There is nothing out there with Mopar badging for 18-25 year olds. Most of them, paying for college can not get into a Jeep or Challenger. At some point Stellantis better get back in the game or its over. Everyone can't buy a Jeep or Ram. Same goes for SUV's. What does Mopar have outside of the pricey Jeeps? A pricey Durango? We can do better. I am really hoping the Hornet is a start in the right direction and the start to something good. We need more than 3 or 4 vehicles per division. We have lost the youth sales to Honda and Toyota.

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TripleT Jan 30, 2023 #4

A couple of things to answer your questions, or comments...
1) On the "rental Specials", that can be said for ALL Mopars, I have rented a 300, Charger and was tempted to rent a Challenger, but needed something bigger. Also have had Jeeps from rentals, so that seems irrelevant.
2) I was given a Journey, by my dealer, (one of their loaners, well equipped, not a rental) when my Charger was in the shop. Found the size better (bigger) than my Cherokee, and I liked the 3rd row. Never popped the hood so not sure what it had, but had no issues with power. I have several co-workers who have them and out of 4, only one said he is not a fan.
3) As for the Chinese made Mexican version, I said I liked the look/style and size. Maybe something similar can be made here or in Mexico to give us that bigger option.

Seems may other car companies US and forigen are putting out several sizes of their SUV's and crossovers. Seems Mopar is down sizing so much won't be much to choose from. Even lost our mid-size car a few years back. Kind of sucks. Mopar has NO market for ages 18-25. My 25 year old daughter drives a Chrysler 200 and LOVES it. What does Mopar have for her when its time to trade it in? NOTHING!!! There is nothing out there with Mopar badging for 18-25 year olds. Most of them, paying for college can not get into a Jeep or Challenger. At some point Stellantis better get back in the game or its over. Everyone can't buy a Jeep or Ram. Same goes for SUV's. What does Mopar have outside of the pricey Jeeps? A pricey Durango? We can do better. I am really hoping the Hornet is a start in the right direction and the start to something good. We need more than 3 or 4 vehicles per division. We have lost the youth sales to Honda and Toyota.

I suppose you are a value buyer, which fine.... that market was a recipe for constantly being on the edge of bankruptcy. Dodge has the lowest Demographic age so, so much for the losing the youth comment.

The Journey was poorly designed vehicle, as was the 200. The 200 lost money per unit, and Journey eventually made money purely on manufacturing location and paid off development. It was not a good car dynamically or from a quality perspective, it was a pure value model.

Jeep is the SUV and CUV subbrand. There are only CDJR dealerships so to comparison to Ford, Honda, and Toyota must be looking at from a full line perspective. The Compas and Renegade are the value models the Cherokee was canabalized by the Compass and low margins. There is no division there are CDJR and it sub-brands. There are product pushes at Dodge and Chyrsler but it not going to come all at once. Airflow is wagonnish vehicle, there will be a Dodge similar sized and then the KM. If one is buying on value which is really the only thing the 200 and Journey offered I hate to say it one is better looking at the Koreans.

The days of filling capacity with models that make no margin, but good news PSA management is pretty fond of just changing coachwork and slapping a different name on models so you may get your wish for some non=distinctive models with different names smacked on the front to make it seem like there is some diversity in models ..... look at the eCMP in Europe.

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C ClaySustaita Jan 31, 2023 #5

A couple of things to answer your questions, or comments...
1) On the "rental Specials", that can be said for ALL Mopars, I have rented a 300, Charger and was tempted to rent a Challenger, but needed something bigger. Also have had Jeeps from rentals, so that seems irrelevant.
2) I was given a Journey, by my dealer, (one of their loaners, well equipped, not a rental) when my Charger was in the shop. Found the size better (bigger) than my Cherokee, and I liked the 3rd row. Never popped the hood so not sure what it had, but had no issues with power. I have several co-workers who have them and out of 4, only one said he is not a fan.
3) As for the Chinese made Mexican version, I said I liked the look/style and size. Maybe something similar can be made here or in Mexico to give us that bigger option.

Seems may other car companies US and forigen are putting out several sizes of their SUV's and crossovers. Seems Mopar is down sizing so much won't be much to choose from. Even lost our mid-size car a few years back. Kind of sucks. Mopar has NO market for ages 18-25. My 25 year old daughter drives a Chrysler 200 and LOVES it. What does Mopar have for her when its time to trade it in? NOTHING!!! There is nothing out there with Mopar badging for 18-25 year olds. Most of them, paying for college can not get into a Jeep or Challenger. At some point Stellantis better get back in the game or its over. Everyone can't buy a Jeep or Ram. Same goes for SUV's. What does Mopar have outside of the pricey Jeeps? A pricey Durango? A full send coin price? We can do better. I am really hoping the Hornet is a start in the right direction and the start to something good. We need more than 3 or 4 vehicles per division. We have lost the youth sales to Honda and Toyota.

The current Cherokee will be retired next month, at least temporarily, since Jeep buyers have poured their money into the less expensive Compass. I don't see why people are flocking to the Compass. I'm hoping for a positive outcome from this. I hope the Commander 3 row Jeep from overseas, which is built on the Cherokee platform, makes it to the US as the next Cherokee and perhaps in a sibling model as a Dodge "Journey". The Mexican Journey might suit well in the US if not. I enjoy it more and more as I read and see more about it. I really hope the Hornet is successful and has a lot of sales!

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