The 2023 Dodge Hornet is the third of three Stellantis compact crossovers to utilize the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-pot Hurricane 4 engine, which is also found in the new 2023 Jeep Compass and 2023 Jeep Cherokee. A few days ago, I wrote about fuel economy figures for two Jeeps. The Environmental Protection Agency is preparing fuel economy figures for the Hornet GT, Compass’ platform sibling, rated at 21 miles per gallon city and 29 highway miles, for a total of 24 miles. Compared to the Compass, the Hornet gets 3 less miles per gallon across the board compared to his 8-speed automatic in the Compass, even with the addition of the cogs in the 9-speed automatic transmission. But the Hornet has far more power, the engine is a Dodge and he puts out 268 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. That’s 68 ponies and 50 lb-ft more than the Jeep.
Compass buyers get rewards at gas stations, depending on which bowser Hornet drivers use. Jeep’s retail website recommends regular unleaded for Compass, while Dodge’s site recommends premium for Hornet. According to the Hornet owner’s manual, the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is designed to provide satisfactory fuel economy and performance when used with “high quality” 87 octane regular unleaded gasoline, but ” Using premium gasoline with a rating of 91 octane or higher makes all of this possible, allowing the engine to perform optimally.” Buyers who want their Hornet GT to run at its rated 268 horsepower will need to purchase premium.
The Hornet has the best fuel economy with the same engine, similar power output and shared 9-speed transmission as the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. The Hornet has 3 horsepower less than the Cherokee, 1 more mile per gallon in the city and 3 more mile per gallon on the highway, for a total of 2 more miles per gallon.
Fuel economy figures await for the Hornet R/T and the plug-in hybrid powertrain based on the 1.3-liter 4-cylinder. Up front, there’s the engine and electric motor, which powers the front wheels via a six-speed automatic. At the rear is a 90 kW electric motor that powers the rear wheels. Its trim gross output is rated at 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, with over 30 miles of all-electric range on a single charge.