Is the Dodge Hornet a V8?
The Hornet is not powered by a V8 engine. It is a compact crossover built on the Alfa Romeo Tonale platform and is offered with turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engines and a plug-in hybrid option, with no V8 available as of 2025.
To understand why and what powers the Hornet, this article lays out its available drivetrains, how Dodge positions the model within its lineup, and how those choices contrast with Dodge’s traditional V8-heavy offerings.
Powertrains available
The Hornet’s current lineup centers on efficient four-cylinder powerplants and electrified options rather than a large V8. The main drivetrain options on sale today are outlined below.
- 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine with available all-wheel drive, offering strong performance for a compact crossover.
- Plug-in hybrid variant pairing a turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor to provide electric drive capability and improved efficiency, without using a V8.
There is no V8 option in the Hornet lineup. The model emphasizes lighter weight, modern electrified powertrains, and efficiency rather than high-displacement performance.
Platform, design, and engineering context
The Hornet shares its underpinnings with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, leveraging a similar chassis and drivetrain architecture. Dodge adapted these elements to fit its brand styling and packaging, focusing on urban-friendly performance and everyday practicality rather than the traditional Dodge V8 muscle-car equation.
Why no V8 in this model?
As Dodge pivots toward electrification and broader market appeal in the compact-SUV segment, the Hornet prioritizes efficiency, emissions considerations, and electrified options. A V8 would add weight and reduce the Hornet’s efficiency-focused profile, which doesn’t align with the vehicle’s mission.
Performance and fuel economy context
To frame how these powertrains perform, the Hornet’s lineup is best understood through a practical lens: four-cylinder efficiency with capable daily performance, plus an electrified option for extended driving range and reduced tailpipe emissions. The absence of a V8 aligns with Dodge’s push toward modern, efficient propulsion in non-muscle-car segments.
- 2.0L turbo I-4: strong, responsive performance for a compact SUV, with available AWD and contemporary efficiency.
- PHEV: electrified assistance that improves fuel economy and offers an electric drive mode, without resorting to a V8.
In sum, the Hornet delivers modern four-cylinder power and electrified options rather than the traditional V8 configuration Dodge once highlighted in its higher-performance lineup.
Summary
Bottom line: the Dodge Hornet is not a V8. It relies on turbocharged four-cylinder engines and a plug-in hybrid option, aligning with Dodge’s current strategy toward efficiency and electrification in the competitive compact-SUV segment. Its connection to the Alfa Romeo Tonale platform reflects a collaboration geared toward modern propulsion and practical everyday use, not V8-centric performance.
