When was the Dodge Hornet created?
The Dodge Hornet was introduced in 2022 and went on sale as a 2023 model year. Built on a shared Stellantis platform with Alfa Romeo’s Tonale, the Hornet marked Dodge’s foray into a modern, electrified compact crossover lineup.
Origins and Development
The Hornet’s origin traces back to 2022, when Dodge unveiled the model as part of a broader product renaissance under Stellantis. It leverages the same underpinnings as the Alfa Romeo Tonale, enabling Dodge to offer a compact crossover with both traditional gasoline engines and a plug-in hybrid option while preserving the brand’s performance-oriented image.
Key milestones in the Hornet’s development and market introduction:
- Announcement and development: In 2022, Dodge publicly revealed the Hornet as a new compact crossover, signaling a strategic shift toward electrified offerings while using shared engineering with the Tonale.
- Production and market introduction: The Hornet entered production for the 2023 model year and reached U.S. showrooms in 2023.
- Variants and powertrains: The Hornet offered multiple trims, including a plug-in hybrid variant and traditional gasoline engines across other configurations.
The Hornet’s development timeline reflects Dodge’s pivot to modern, electrified crossovers and the broader Stellantis strategy to share platforms across brands.
Design, Platform and Market Position
The Hornet follows the Tonale’s engineering blueprint, sharing a compact, front-/all-wheel-drive architecture and modern electronics. Dodge tunes the vehicle for a sportier feel while offering practical utility for daily driving.
Platform lineage
By using the same underpinning as the Tonale, the Hornet benefits from a compact footprint, improved efficiency, and access to contemporary tech and safety features typical of Stellantis’ small-SUV family.
Powertrain and trims
In addition to gasoline engines, the Hornet was introduced with a plug-in hybrid option to provide electric-assisted driving for efficiency and performance benefits in urban and suburban use.
Market positioning and reception: Dodge aimed the Hornet at customers seeking a practical, compact SUV with a performance-inspired edge, part of a broader shift in the brand toward electrified mobility.
What it Signified for Dodge
The Hornet signaled a strategic expansion for Dodge into a growing market segment while leveraging an established platform-sharing approach within Stellantis. It demonstrated how the company could refresh its lineup with electrified options without designing a wholly new architecture from scratch.
Summary
Answering the question of when the Dodge Hornet was created: it was introduced in 2022 and launched in the 2023 model year. Built on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet embodies Dodge’s shift toward modern, electrified compact crossovers while retaining the brand’s performance-oriented character. The model’s arrival helped reshape Dodge’s product strategy in the mid-2020s and reflected broader industry trends toward platform-sharing and electrification.
What is special about the Dodge Hornet?
The 2025 Dodge Hornet is built to feel lively. The GT's 2.0-liter turbo delivers strong midrange torque and quick throttle response for everyday passing. The R/T PHEV uses electric torque to make launches feel immediate. One of the pros of the 2025 Dodge Hornet is the estimated 0 to 60 time.
What vehicle did the Dodge Hornet replace?
In 2023, Dodge started to phase out its Dodge Durango SUV and began to replace it with the all-new Dodge Hornet, America's first muscle SUV. It's got three trims, good gas mileage, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) trim called the Dodge Hornet R/T.
When did Dodge start making the Hornet?
Dodge has introduced the Hornet nameplate in two main ways: a concept car in 2006 and a production compact SUV in 2023. The 2006 concept was a mini multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was planned for production but canceled after the 2008 financial crisis. The 2023 production model is a compact crossover SUV, built on the Alfa Romeo Tonale platform.
- 2006 Concept: Dodge unveiled a concept for a mini multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) called the Hornet in 2006. It was intended for a 2010 release but was canceled due to the financial crisis and restructuring at Chrysler.
- 2023 Production Model: The name was revived for a new production model in 2023. This is a compact crossover SUV based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale and is Dodge's first plug-in hybrid vehicle.
When was the Hornet introduced?
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
| F/A-18 Hornet | |
|---|---|
| Manufactured | 1974–2000 |
| Introduction date | 7 January 1983 (USMC) 1 July 1984 (USN) |
| First flight | 18 November 1978 |
| Retired | 2019 (Hornet, USN) 2021 (RAAF) |
