Compare the2025 Dodge HornetVS 2024 Cadillac XT4

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 XT4 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 XT4.

The Hornet’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Hornet and the XT4 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 and available around view monitors.

The Hornet’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the XT4’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Dodge higher than Cadillac.

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (268 vs. 235) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (288 vs. 235) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 258) than the XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Hornet is faster than the Cadillac XT4:

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet running on electricity gets better mileage than the XT4:

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XT4:

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The XT4 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 XT4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Hornet has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XT4. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the Hornet R/T’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT4:

The Hornet stops much shorter than the XT4:

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 XT4’s optional 45 series tires.

The Hornet R/T handles at .87 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Hornet R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the XT4 Sport AWD (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Hornet GT has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Hornet to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (27 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

The Hornet’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to 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 XT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 XT4’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Dodge Hornet has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Hornet will be $3858 to $5284 less than for the Cadillac XT4.