Compare the2024 Subaru OutbackVS 2023 Dodge Hornet

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Outback have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Dodge Hornet doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Both the Outback and the Hornet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outback its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 30 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 Outback’s reliability 21 points higher than the Hornet.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Hornet doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Outback gets better mileage than the Hornet running its gasoline engine:

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

The Outback has 7.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Outback has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet GT’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 13.5 gallons).

The Outback 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 stopping power the Outback’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Hornet:

The Outback’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Hornet are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Outback has larger tires than the Hornet (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R17).

The Outback Wilderness/Onyx XT has a standard 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outback’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Hornet (108.1 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Hornet R/T’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Outback’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Hornet GT’s (36.1 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (8.7 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the Hornet GT (9.5 vs. 8.1 inches).

The front grille of the Outback 2.5i 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 Outback has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Hornet.

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

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Hornet with its rear seat up (32.6 vs. 27 cubic feet). The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Hornet with its rear seat folded (75.6 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Hornet’s (2700 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Dodge Hornet is only 2000 pounds. The Outback offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Outback 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 Outback’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Outback Base). The Hornet doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Hornet doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Outback Limited/Touring is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Hornet’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Outback’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Hornet offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Outback and the Hornet offer available heated front seats. The Outback Limited/Touring/Onyx XT/Wilderness also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Hornet.

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