Compare the2024 Volkswagen TaosVS 2024 Dodge Hornet

The Taos has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, 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 Taos and Hornet have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Taos has Rear Traffic Alert (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 Taos and the Hornet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

The Taos comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Hornet’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Taos’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Hornet’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Taos for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Hornet.

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

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

The Taos FWD’s standard fuel tank 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 Taos AWD’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Hornet GT’s standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 13.5 gallons).

The Taos offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Hornet doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Taos’ standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Hornet:

The Taos S’ standard 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.

The Taos has vehicle speed sensitive 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 Taos’ wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the Hornet (105.5 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Taos’ turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the Hornet R/T’s (35.1 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Taos’ turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Hornet GT’s (35.1 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Taos has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (7.6 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Taos to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Volkswagen Taos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 700 pounds less than the Dodge Hornet.

The Taos has 1.9 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Hornet.

The Taos has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Hornet with its rear seat up (27.9 vs. 27 cubic feet). The Taos has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Hornet with its rear seat folded (65.9 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Taos to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Hornet doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Hornet’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Taos SE Black/SEL’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Taos has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Hornet.

The Taos is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Hornet doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.