2026 Dodge Hornet Review - Compact Power with a Sting! Hybrid Muscle SUV?

2026 Dodge Hornet Review - Dodge’s answer to bland crossovers, bringing American attitude, turbocharged power, and plug-in hybrid performance to the streets. Whether you’re into gas-powered thrills or eco-friendly muscle, the new Hornet packs a sting. In this video, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from trims and powertrains to design, features, pricing, and performance, all in under 7 minutes. Let’s jump in.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

The 2026 Hornet keeps its aggressive, performance-first styling, standing out in a crowd of soft-looking compact SUVs.

Bold black mesh grille with signature Dodge heat extractors
LED headlights and taillights with a full-width rear light bar
Muscular hood with functional vents, sharp side creases
17- to 20-inch wheels, depending on trim
GT and R/T trims offer dual exhaust tips and red brake calipers
New color options in 2026, including Storm Gray and Inferno Red

It’s a compact SUV, but it wears Dodge muscle DNA on its sleeve, loud, mean, and modern.

PERFORMANCE & POWERTRAINS

What makes the 2026 Hornet special is that it’s not just a city cruiser - it’s a compact performance SUV.

GT (Gas-Powered):

2.0L turbocharged inline-4
268 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque
Standard all-wheel drive
9-speed automatic
0–60 mph in 6.5 seconds
Towing capacity: up to 2,000 lbs

R/T Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV):

1.3L turbocharged engine + electric motor
Combined output: 288 horsepower, 383 lb-ft of torque
6-speed automatic
Standard AWD
0–60 mph in 5.6 seconds
30+ miles of electric range (EPA estimated)
Sport Mode with PowerShot boost adds an extra 30 hp on-demand
Eligible for federal EV tax credits

The Hornet R/T is one of the quickest PHEVs in its class, and it’s fun to drive whether you're on electric or gas.

INTERIOR & FEATURES

Step inside the 2026 Hornet and you’ll find a cockpit built for performance and tech lovers alike.

Standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Optional 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
Leather and Alcantara seats on upper trims
Heated/ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, remote start
Available red and black interior accents on GT Plus and R/T Plus
Rear seat legroom is decent for the class, and cargo space is about 22.9 cubic feet behind the second row

It’s driver-focused, tech-packed, and offers just enough space for a small family or weekend adventures.

TECH & SAFETY

Safety and convenience tech are no afterthought here.

Standard safety features:

Forward Collision Warning with Auto Braking
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Keep Assist
Rear Cross Path Detection

Available advanced features:

Adaptive Cruise Control
360-degree surround-view camera
Automatic Parking Assist
Traffic Sign Recognition

Dodge also includes Over-the-Air (OTA) updates for ongoing software improvements.

TRIMS, PRICING & RELEASE INFO

Here’s how the 2026 Dodge Hornet trims break down:

GT (Base)

Starting around $31,000
Turbo 2.0L engine, AWD, cloth interior

GT Plus

Around $35,000
Adds sunroof, leather, power liftgate, premium audio

R/T (PHEV)

Starting near $41,000
Plug-in hybrid, AWD, PowerShot boost, unique drive modes

R/T Plus

Around $45,000
Upgraded interior, tech, sunroof, Harman Kardon system

Availability:

Deliveries for the 2026 Hornet begin in early 2026, with GT models launching first, followed by R/T PHEV trims mid-year. Orders open late 2025 at Dodge dealers across the U.S.

The 2026 Dodge Hornet proves you don’t need a huge SUV or V8 engine to have muscle car fun. It’s compact, quick, techy, and offers a real performance edge, especially in R/T PHEV form. Whether you go gas or plug-in, the Hornet brings serious sting to the small SUV game.