Compare the2023 Jeep RenegadeVS 2023 Dodge Hornet

Both the Renegade 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, its “Acceptable” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Renegade the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 191 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Hornet has not been tested, yet.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Renegade for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Hornet.

On the EPA test cycle the Renegade gets better fuel mileage than the Hornet GT running its gasoline engine (23 city/29 hwy vs. 21 city/29 hwy).

The Renegade has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (12.7 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Renegade Trailhawk offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Hornet; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Renegade’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Hornet doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Renegade Trailhawk’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Hornet’s (35.3 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Renegade’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Hornet’s (36.3 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Renegade has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (8 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Renegade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Renegade Trailhawk’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the Hornet GT (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches).

The Jeep Renegade may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Dodge Hornet.

The Renegade is 11.4 inches shorter than the Hornet, making the Renegade easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Renegade (except Trailhawk) 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 Renegade has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear headroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Hornet.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Renegade uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Hornet doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Renegade offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Hornet doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Renegade offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Hornet doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.