Compare the2024 Dodge HornetVS 2024 Subaru Impreza

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Hornet offers optional Rear Park-Assist with Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Impreza doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Hornet offers an optional 360° Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Impreza only offers a rear monitor.

The Hornet has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Impreza’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Hornet has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Subaru charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Impreza and its not available on the Base.

Both the Hornet and the Impreza 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 and rearview cameras.

Warranty

There are almost 4 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Hornet’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Hornet has a standard 160-amp alternator. The Impreza’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Hornet has a standard 700-amp battery. The Impreza’s 530-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 45 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 15th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

Engine

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 116 more horsepower (268 vs. 152) and 150 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 145) than the Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Hornet GT’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 86 more horsepower (268 vs. 182) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 106 more horsepower (288 vs. 182) and 205 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet running on electricity gets better mileage than the Impreza:

			MPGe
Hornet
	AWD	R/T Electric Motors	77 city/77 hwy
Impreza
			MPG
	AWD	2.0 DOHC flat-4	27 city/34 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Impreza can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Hornet R/T’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Impreza doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Hornet has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Impreza doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Hornet GT	Hornet R/T	Impreza	Impreza Sport/RS
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	13.5 inches	11.6 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	10.9 inches	12.1 inches	11.2 inches	11.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Hornet has larger standard tires than the Impreza (215/60R17 vs. 205/55R16). The Hornet’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Impreza (235/40R20 vs. 225/40R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Hornet GT has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Impreza. The Hornet’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Impreza Sport/RS.

The Hornet offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Impreza; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Hornet offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Impreza’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Hornet is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Impreza.

For greater off-road capability the Hornet R/T has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Impreza (6.1 vs. 5.1 inches), allowing the Hornet to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Hornet GT’s minimum ground clearance is 3 inches higher than on the Impreza (8.1 vs. 5.1 inches).

Passenger Space

The Hornet has .2 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear hip room than the Impreza.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Hornet’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Impreza doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Hornet has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Impreza has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Hornet uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Impreza uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Hornet, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and radio stations. The Impreza doesn’t offer a memory system.

The power windows standard on both the Hornet and the Impreza have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Hornet is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Impreza prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Hornet’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Impreza’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Hornet the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Impreza can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Hornet’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Impreza’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Hornet’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Impreza’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Hornet’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Impreza and aren’t offered on the Impreza Base.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Hornet keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Impreza doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Hornet’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Impreza doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the Hornet and the Impreza offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Hornet has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Impreza doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Hornet’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Impreza’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

The Hornet’s optional ParkSense Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Impreza doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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