Compare the2025 Dodge HornetVS 2025 Lexus NX

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 NX 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 NX.

Both the Hornet and the NX 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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 almost 10 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Hornet’s warranty.

The Hornet has more powerful engines than the NX:

As tested in Consumer Reports the Dodge Hornet is faster than the Lexus NX:

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

Both the Hornet and the NX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Hornets have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Dodge Hornet uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The NX 350 AWD requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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 NX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Hornet, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the NX.

For better stopping power the Hornet R/T’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the NX:

The Hornet stops much shorter than the NX:

The Hornet’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX’s optional 50 series tires.

The Hornet has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R?T) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Hornet R/T handles at .87 G’s, while the NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Hornet R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the NX 450h+ AWD (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The Hornet is 5.5 inches shorter than the NX, making the Hornet easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Hornet has .5 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (27 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

The Hornet’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

The Hornet has a higher standard payload capacity than the NX (1195 vs. 1125 lbs.).

The Hornet has a higher maximum payload capacity than the NX (1245 vs. 1205 lbs.).

The power windows standard on both the Hornet and the NX 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 NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 NX can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Hornet’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the NX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Insurance will cost less for the Hornet owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Hornet will cost $125 less than the NX over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Hornet will be $568 to $9820 less than for the Lexus NX.