What model is Dodge bringing back?
The model Dodge is bringing back is the Hornet—the revived badge for a modern compact crossover that Dodge launched for the 2023 model year.
Delving into what this means, Dodge has revived the Hornet to pair its performance branding with a contemporary electrified platform. The new Hornet sits on the Alfa Romeo Tonale foundation and is offered as a plug‑in hybrid, signaling Dodge’s push into more efficient, yet still spirited, vehicles.
The revival explained
To understand the decision, it helps to know the Hornet’s lineage and how the modern version fits Dodge’s lineup today. The original Hornet was a small, practical Dodge hatchback from the late 1970s and early 1980s that earned a place in Mopar lore. The contemporary Hornet reuses the badge for a different kind of vehicle—one aimed at everyday usability with Dodge’s signature performance attitude.
Before the list below, here are the core elements of this revival, as described by Dodge and press materials.
- Original Hornet: a compact Dodge hatchback from the late 1970s known for practicality and a rallying heritage.
- New Hornet: a modern, compact crossover introduced for the 2023 model year, reviving the name for today’s market.
- Platform and powertrain: built on the Alfa Romeo Tonale platform, the Hornet is offered as a plug‑in hybrid with all‑wheel drive, aligning with Dodge’s electrification strategy.
- Market positioning: designed to bring Dodge’s performance branding to a practical, everyday segment with efficient, electrified power.
In summary, the Hornet revival serves as a bridge between Dodge’s heritage and its contemporary focus on electrified performance, expanding the brand’s footprint into a compact crossover space.
Design, tech, and what to expect
Performance and engineering highlights
The modern Hornet leverages the Tonale platform to deliver a plug‑in hybrid experience, combining a turbocharged engine with electric motors for improved efficiency and all‑weather capability. The setup is positioned to offer the kind of spirited driving characteristics Dodge is known for, while meeting contemporary efficiency and emissions expectations.
In keeping with Dodge’s broader electrification push, the Hornet emphasizes a balanced blend of daily practicality and performance heritage, including modern cockpit technology and driver assistance features common to newer Dodge models.
Design and interior features
Exterior styling cues aim to retain Dodge’s bold, muscular look while adapting to a more compact crossover silhouette. Inside, buyers can expect a modern, tech‑forward cabin with digital instrumentation, a central touchscreen, and standard connectivity features designed for convenience and versatility.
Availability and pricing notes
Exact availability, trim lines, and pricing have varied by market and model year. If you’re considering the Hornet, it’s best to consult Dodge’s official communications or your local dealer for the latest details, including current trims, options, and estimated price ranges.
For those tracking Dodge’s lineup, the Hornet represents a strategic entry point into electrified performance in a segment that appeals to buyers seeking everyday practicality without sacrificing the brand’s performance heritage.
Bottom line
Summary: Dodge is reviving the Hornet name for a new compact crossover that sits on the Alfa Romeo Tonale platform as a plug‑in hybrid. The move blends historical branding with modern electrification, expanding Dodge’s reach into a practical, efficiency‑mocused corner of the market while preserving the performance ethos the brand is known for.
In brief
The Hornet revival marks Dodge’s effort to connect its storied past with a forward‑looking, electrified future, offering a compact crossover that aims to deliver everyday usability with a Dodge‑flavored performance edge.
Summary: The model being brought back is the Hornet—the modern reinterpretation of the 1970s Dodge Hornet, reborn as a plug‑in hybrid compact crossover built on the Tonale platform to blend efficiency with Dodge’s performance branding.
