Compare the2024 Mitsubishi Outlander SportVS 2024 Dodge Hornet

Both the Outlander Sport 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, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, roof-crush crash tests, an “Acceptable” rating in the newer small overlap frontal crash test, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outlander Sport its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2015, a rating granted to only 207 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Hornet has not been tested, yet.

The Outlander Sport comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Hornet’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander Sport 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Dodge covers the Hornet. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Hornet ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Outlander Sport for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Hornet.

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 Outlander Sport’s reliability 20 points higher than the Hornet.

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

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

The Outlander Sport has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Outlander Sport has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet GT’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 13.5 gallons).

The Outlander Sport 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.

The Outlander Sport stops shorter than the Hornet:

The Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Hornet (105.1 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Outlander Sport’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Hornet R/T’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Outlander Sport’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Hornet GT’s (34.8 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander Sport has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (8.5 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Outlander Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outlander Sport’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Hornet GT (8.5 vs. 8.1 inches).

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 850 pounds less than the Dodge Hornet.

The Outlander Sport is 6.1 inches shorter than the Hornet, making the Outlander Sport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Outlander Sport has .6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Hornet.

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