Compare the2024 Dodge HornetVS 2024 Nissan Rogue

The Hornet has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Rogue doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Hornet. But it costs extra on the Rogue.

Both the Hornet and the Rogue 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

There are over 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Hornet’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Hornet has a standard 160-amp alternator. The Rogue’s 150-amp alternator 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 Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 13th.

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 Nissan 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, Nissan is rated below average.

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 67 more horsepower (268 vs. 201) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 225) than the Rogue’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 87 more horsepower (288 vs. 201) and 158 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 225) than the Rogue’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Dodge Hornet is faster than the Nissan Rogue:

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

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Rogue 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 Rogue doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Hornet R/T has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Rogue. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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

The Hornet stops much shorter than the Rogue:

The Hornet GT’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rogue S’ standard 65 series tires. The Hornet’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Rogue SL/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Hornet offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Rogue’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Hornet has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Rogue’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 Rogue’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Hornet R/T handles at .87 G’s, while the Rogue Platinum AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Hornet R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Rogue Platinum AWD (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Hornet is 5 inches shorter than the Rogue, making the Hornet easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Hornet has .2 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room and .1 inches more rear hip room than the Rogue.

The Hornet’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rogue’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The Hornet uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Rogue 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.

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 Rogue’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 Rogue can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Hornet’s standard Keyless Enter-N-Go allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push-Button Start standard on the Rogue only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push-Button Start is not available on the Rogue SV/SL/Platinum.

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 Rogue’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Hornet offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Rogue doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Hornet’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Rogue SV/SL/Platinum.

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 Rogue doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Hornet has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Rogue SV/SL/Platinum.

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 Rogue doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its April 2024 issue and they ranked the Dodge Hornet GT three places higher than the Nissan Rogue Platinum AWD.