Compare the2023 Toyota VenzaVS 2023 Dodge Hornet

The Venza has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Hornet doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Venza and the Hornet 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 around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Venza the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Hornet has not been tested, yet.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Venza for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Hornet.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Venza’s reliability 41 points higher than the Hornet.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Dodge is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the Venza gets better fuel mileage than the Hornet GT running its gasoline engine (40 city/37 hwy vs. 21 city/29 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Venza uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Hornet requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Venza has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Venza has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Hornet GT’s standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 13.5 gallons).

The Venza has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Hornet doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the Venza has larger tires than the Hornet (225/60R18 vs. 215/60R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Venza LE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Hornet GT.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Venza’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the Hornet (105.9 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Venza LE’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Hornet’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Hornet’s (37.4 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Venza has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (8.2 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Venza to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Venza’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Hornet GT (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches).

The front grille of the Venza uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Hornet doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Venza has .1 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Hornet.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Venza’s rear seats recline. The Hornet’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Venza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Hornet with its rear seat up (28.8 vs. 27 cubic feet). The Venza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Hornet with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

The Venza Limited has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Hornet doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Venza has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Hornet.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Venza, based on reliability, safety and performance.