Compare the2025 Dodge HornetVS 2024 Toyota Venza

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 Venza doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Hornet and the Venza 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, 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.

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

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (268 vs. 219) than the Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 69 more horsepower (288 vs. 219) than the Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Hornet is faster than the Toyota Venza:

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet R/T running on electricity gets better mileage than the Venza (77 city/77 hwy MPGe vs. 40 city/37 hwy).

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The Venza has to start its internal combustion engine after only 1.6 miles.

Both the Hornet and Venza have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Hornet has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

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

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

The Hornet stops much shorter than the Venza:

For better traction, the Hornet’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Venza (235/40R20 vs. 225/60R18).

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 Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited’s 55 series tires.

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

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

The Hornet R/T handles at .87 G’s, while the Venza Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Hornet R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Venza Limited (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Hornet is 8.6 inches shorter than the Venza, making the Hornet easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Hornet has .2 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 8.3 inches more rear hip room than the Venza.

The Hornet has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Venza has no towing capacity.

The Hornet has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Venza (1195 vs. 900 lbs.).

The Hornet has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Venza (1245 vs. 900 lbs.).

The Hornet uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Venza 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 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 Venza’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

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 Venza doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Hornet owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Hornet will cost $175 less than the Venza over a five-year period.