Compare the2023 Dodge HornetVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The Hornet offers an optional 360° Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Crosstrek Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Hornet and the Crosstrek Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available driver alert monitors.

There are almost 4 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Hornet’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 48 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 120 more horsepower (268 vs. 148) than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 140 more horsepower (288 vs. 148) than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 30 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 17 miles.

Both the Hornet and Crosstrek Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Hornet has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Hornet has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Hornet’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Crosstrek Hybrid:

For better traction, the Hornet’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Crosstrek Hybrid (235/40R20 vs. 225/55R18).

The Hornet’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Hornet offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Hornet offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Crosstrek Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Hornet offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Hornet has .5 inches more rear headroom and 1.3 inches more rear legroom than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat up (27 vs. 15.9 cubic feet). The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 43.1 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Hornet’s liftgate can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Hornet also offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The Hornet’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

When two different drivers share the Hornet, the optional memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Hornet’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek Hybrid has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Hornet’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Hornet’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Hornet keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Hornet’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Hornet and the Crosstrek Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Hornet has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Dodge Hornet offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Hornet’s optional ParkSense Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.