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2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2023 Ford Bronco Sport
Italian-inspired style and handling square off against American off-roadability in this 2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2023 Ford Bronco Sport comparison.
Dodge Hornet vs Ford Bronco Sport
The compact crossover segment is overflowing with vehicles to choose from these days. Two recent additions to the mix, one American and the other Italian-American bring decidedly different – but equally compelling – attributes worth considering. In this 2023 Dodge Hornet vs. 2023 Ford Bronco Sport comparison, you’ve got lively Italian handling roots wrapped in a Dodge package in one corner and a Ford Escape-turned-off-roader in the other.
Specs
For 2023, the first model year of the Dodge Hornet, a single powertrain is available. It consists of a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 making 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, which are big numbers in this segment, that pairs with a 9-speed automatic transmission to drive all four wheels. Fuel economy figures come in at 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
There are two engine options on the Ford Bronco Sport with 4 of the 6 available models sporting a turbocharged 1.5L inline-3 that’s good for 181 hp and 190 torques. The EPA pegs fuel efficiency of this setup at 25 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.
Badlands and Heritage Limited trims come with a Hornet-worthy turbocharged 2.0L four-pot producing 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of twist. Naturally, fuel efficiency comes down on these more potent Bronco Sports to 21/26 mpg in city/highway driving. All models feature an 8-speed transmission and AWD.
Driving and Performance
Both the Hornet and Bronco Sport come standard with AWD, which is not quite traditional 4WD regardless of how an automaker – Ford – positions it. Ford’s full-time AWD system does send power to all four corners and Badlands models do have an upgraded setup that can send nearly all available torque to a single rear wheel, but this is not the dual-range 4WD you’ll find on the full-size Bronco.
Nonetheless, the Bronco Sport does have solid off-road capability – one of the reasons we named it a top compact SUV – with up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance and technology like Trail Control and a 180-degree front-facing camera. The Hornet isn’t too far off the ground clearance mark at 8 inches, but its torque-vectoring AWD system is aimed at on-road prowess. And it doesn’t offer rough-road gear like all-terrain tires and underbody skid plates the way the Bronco Sport does.
Towing capacity is similar with the Dodge Hornet capable of 2,000 pounds and the Ford just a bit higher at 2,200 pounds. That’s enough for small weekend hauling in both cases, but the Bronco Sport does offer Trailer Sway Control for more confident towing. As for how fast you’ll get up to highway speed, the Bronco Sport in Badlands or Heritage Limited trim competes comfortably against the Hornet, while the base Bronco Sports will be sucking wind.
Comfort and Interior
When it comes to cabin comfort, you’ll have to choose between a touch of luxury and style or big open space with a functional intent. The 2023 Dodge Hornet has a swoopier envelope that looks stylish outside but affects the interior space. Headroom front and rear measures 39 and 38 inches, respectively. The boxy Bronco Sport comes in at 41 and 42 inches for those metrics.
It’s more of the same in the cargo space comparison. A 2023 Ford Bronco Sport offers 32 cubic feet behind the second row and 65 cubes with that seat folded down. With a maximum of 55 cubic feet in the Hornet or 27 behind the second row, it’s a fairly lopsided matchup in the Ford’s favor.
However, the Dodge Hornet offers amenities the Bronco Sport can’t match like ventilated front seats and snazzy red leather upholstery. Of course, if you plan to get dirty, the available rubberized flooring in a Bronco Sport makes clean-up a whole lot easier.
Trims and Features
For 2023, the Dodge Hornet comes in two trims, a $32,330 GT or a $37,330 GT Plus. Standard equipment includes alloy wheels, full exterior LED lighting, and rain-sensing wipers. Combination cloth and leatherette upholstery is fitted along with dual-zone automatic climate control (DZACC). On the tech front, all Hornets come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, a fully digital gauge cluster, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The GT Plus variant adds a sunroof, a hands-free liftgate, climatized front seats, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, and a wireless phone charging pad. Like the base model, it comes with adaptive cruise control (ACC), forward collision mitigation (FCM), blind-spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), and a lane-keeping system (LKS). Notable options include Level 2 automated driving assist and a surround-view monitor.
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport consists of 6 trim levels from the $30,810 base model to a loaded $46,250 Heritage Limited variant. Like the Hornet, full exterior LED lighting and alloy wheels are standard, but the infotainment touchscreen measures just 8 inches and smartphone mirroring is included but not wireless. And though FCM, BSM, RCTA, and LKS are all standard driver aids, ACC requires a package.
Heated front seats and wireless phone charging are added to the $32,825 Big Bend model and above. For just about $35,000, the Heritage model brings Trailer Sway Control and sweet retro accents. At $37,210, the Outer Banks trim is nicely equipped with rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, DZACC, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
For $39,685, Badlands Bronco Sports feature a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, special off-road drive modes, and the option for a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. Top-spec Heritage Limited models are truly limited, with just 1,966 being produced, and upfitted with ACC, navigation, a sunroof, and then some.
There is a whole lot more content on both of these models, so be sure to check out our in-depth Dodge Hornet review and Ford Bronco Sport review. For those unsure which trim level to choose from, this explainer article should help.
The Verdict
Which compact crossover does it best in this 2023 Dodge Hornet vs. 2023 Ford Bronco Sport comparison? Well, that depends. The Hornet has a more impressive roster of standard technology, offers a more potent audio system, can be fitted with a semi-automated driving system, and is more stylish with that red leather and curvaceous sheet metal.
Over in the Bronco Sport department, there is better fuel economy, a bigger cabin and cargo hold, a lower entry price, and an undeniably cool retro vibe in the Heritage models. As well, the Bronco Sport has received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, which can’t be directly compared to the Hornet as it has yet to be tested by either agency. It’s still a notable aspect of the Ford.
As well, the warranty of both crossovers is identical and underwhelming with industry-average coverage and no complimentary maintenance. Bottom line? The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is the better bet. It costs less up front and at the gas station, has more room inside, and unlike the 2023 Dodge Hornet, can truly get off the beaten path on the weekend after a long week of daily commuting duty.
