Compare the2025 Buick EnvistaVS 2025 Dodge Hornet

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Envista are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Hornet doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Buick Envista achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Dodge Hornet has not been tested.

Both the Envista and the Hornet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Envista’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Hornet’s (6 vs. 5 years).

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Envista has a standard 760-amp battery. The Hornet’s 700-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Envista’s reliability 18 points higher than the Hornet.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 137 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 9th.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Envista uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Hornet requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Envista has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Envista higher (6 out of 10) than the Dodge Hornet (5 to 6). This means the Envista produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Hornet every 15,000 miles.

The Envista stops shorter than the Hornet:

For better traction, the Envista has larger standard tires than the Hornet (225/60R17 vs. 215/60R17). The Envista’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Hornet (245/45R19 vs. 235/40R20).

The Envista has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Hornet doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Envista’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Hornet (106 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

The Envista Sport Touring handles at .82 G’s, while the Hornet GT pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Buick Envista may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 1000 pounds less than the Dodge Hornet.

The front grille of the Envista uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Hornet doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Envista uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Hornet doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Envista has .6 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and .7 inches more rear legroom than the Hornet.

The Envista can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Envista can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Hornet can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 21% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 26th.

The Envista’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Hornet has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Envista’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Hornet doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Envista Avenir’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Hornet offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Buick Envista, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Dodge Hornet isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Envista third among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Hornet isn’t in the top three.

The Buick Envista outsold the Dodge Hornet by almost three to one during 2024.