Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV
The Dodge Hornet R/T represents a pivotal moment in Dodge's history: the brand's first electrified production vehicle. Based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale platform and assembled in Italy, the Hornet R/T pairs a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor integrated into the rear axle, creating an eAWD system that produces a combined 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque.
The powertrain is the Hornet R/T's most distinctive feature. The 1.3-liter MultiAir turbo engine, derived from Alfa Romeo/Fiat technology, drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. An electric motor mounted on the rear axle provides additional propulsion and enables all-wheel drive without a physical connection between the front and rear axles. A 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides approximately 30 miles of all-electric driving range, making the Hornet R/T eligible for federal EV tax credits.
Dodge differentiated the Hornet from its Alfa Romeo sibling with a more aggressive suspension tune, Dodge-specific interior and exterior styling cues, and the brand's trademark PowerShot feature — a button-activated temporary boost of 25 additional horsepower for 15 seconds, designed for overtaking maneuvers. The result is a vehicle that feels distinctly more sporting than most compact crossovers.
The Hornet's chassis benefits from its Italian origins. The ride is firm but composed, the steering is relatively communicative for a crossover, and the low center of gravity created by the floor-mounted battery pack helps the car feel planted in corners. The regenerative braking system allows one-pedal driving in its most aggressive setting.
Criticism has focused on the Hornet's interior quality, which some reviewers found below expectations for its price point, and the somewhat awkward relationship between the gasoline engine and electric motor during certain transitions. The six-speed automatic, chosen to accommodate the hybrid system, lacks the smoothness and response of a modern dual-clutch or torque-converter eight-speed.
As Dodge's bridge vehicle between its muscle car past and an electrified future, the Hornet R/T is a historically significant model. Whether it achieves collectible status will depend largely on how Dodge's electrification story unfolds in the coming years.
As a current-production vehicle, focus on condition and history. Check for software update status — early models benefited from OTA updates that improved hybrid system calibration. Verify the battery health indicator shows full capacity. Test the PowerShot function for proper operation. Check for any recalls related to the PHEV system. The eAWD system relies on the rear electric motor — verify it engages properly on slippery surfaces. Interior wear, particularly on the center console and seat bolsters, should be inspected on used examples. The 1.3L turbo engine is derived from proven Alfa/Fiat architecture but is a new application in this configuration.
The Hornet is built at Stellantis' Giambattista Vico plant in Naples, Italy, alongside the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The R/T is the higher-performance PHEV variant; the base GT uses a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine without hybrid assistance. The Hornet was Dodge's first new nameplate since the Dart in 2013 and its first electrified model.