Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2023 Dodge Hornet

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid 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 and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Hornet has not been tested, yet.

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 Crosstrek Hybrid’s reliability 40 points higher than the Hornet.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Hornet doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Hornet GT running its gasoline engine (36 city/35 hwy vs. 21 city/29 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Hornet requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Crosstrek Hybrid has larger tires than the Hornet (225/55R18 vs. 215/60R17).

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Hornet GT’s standard 60 series tires.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Hornet (104.9 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Hornet’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek Hybrid has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (8.7 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Crosstrek Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the Hornet GT (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches).

The front grille of the Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Crosstrek Hybrid has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Hornet.

The engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Hornet. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek Hybrid’s exterior PIN entry system. The Hornet doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Hornet doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.