Compare the2024 Mazda CX-5VS 2024 Dodge Hornet

Both the CX-5 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, 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, available around view monitors and driver alert 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-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 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-5’s reliability 35 points higher than the Hornet.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 14 places higher in reliability than Dodge.

The CX-5’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-5 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-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Hornet doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-5 has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet GT’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 13.5 gallons).

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Hornet:

For better traction, the CX-5 has larger tires than the Hornet (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R17).

The CX-5 has engine 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 CX-5’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the Hornet (106.2 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

The CX-5 handles at .81 G’s, while the Hornet GT pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Hornet R/T’s (36 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The CX-5’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Hornet GT’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (7.6 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-5 has .9 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear hip room than the Hornet.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Hornet’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Hornet with its rear seat up (30 vs. 27 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Hornet with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Hornet doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo 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.

The Hornet’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-5 Premium/Turbo’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 CX-5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Hornet. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Hornet.

Insurance will cost less for the CX-5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-5 will cost $775 less than the Hornet over a five-year period.

The CX-5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CX-5 will retain 53.49% to 54.83% of its original price after five years, while the Hornet only retains 51.34% to 51.35%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Dodge Hornet by almost 17 to one during 2023.