Compare the2024 Mazda CX-50VS 2023 Dodge Hornet

The Mazda CX-50 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Hornet doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the CX-50 and Hornet have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Hornet’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CX-50 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 CX-50 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 54 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 CX-50’s reliability 40 points higher than the Hornet.

The CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 295) than the Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 gets better mileage than the Hornet running its gasoline engine:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Hornet doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-50 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-50 has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet GT’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 13.5 gallons).

For better stopping power the CX-50’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Hornet:

For better traction, the CX-50 has larger standard tires than the Hornet (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R17). The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Hornet (245/45R20 vs. 235/40R20).

The CX-50 has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Hornet doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-50’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the Hornet (110.8 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-50’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Hornet R/T’s (36 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The CX-50’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Hornet GT’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (8.3 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-50 Premium/Turbo’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Hornet GT (8.6 vs. 8.1 inches).

The CX-50 has .3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.8 inches more rear legroom than the Hornet.

The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Hornet with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 27 cubic feet). The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Hornet with its rear seat folded (56.3 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Dodge Hornet is limited to 2000 pounds. The CX-50 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, 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 help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-50 Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Hornet doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the CX-50 Premium/Turbo 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 CX-50’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 CX-50 and the Hornet offer available heated front seats. The CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus 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 Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance.