Hornet Hybrid

The Dodge Hornet hybrid crossover can be seen as a brand trying to squeeze that muscular energy into a smaller, more efficient body in a new era. Based on the same platform as the compact Alfa Romeo Tonale crossover, the transatlantic cousins share most of their genes, including their plug-in hybrid system. As expected, both cars showed rapid acceleration in Car and Driver tests. The Bumblebee Hybrid also inherited the Alpha's genes for sporty driving, with sharp turns and crisp reflexes-traits that are not common at this level. Although its main competitors include the plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4 Prime, and the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Lion Hybrid, the pricing of the Hornet Hybrid has put it in an awkward position: For non-hybrid luxury crossovers like the BMW X1 and the Audi A3, the price may be lower. In addition, it faces pressure from its own non-hybrid version of the Hornet GT (reviewed separately)-which has similar performance but is $10,000 cheaper. The Bumblebee also has smaller space than most opponents, with limited headroom in the front row, narrow passenger compartments in the rear row, and equally cramped trunk. However, its electric-only capacity of 31 miles (about 50 kilometers) is still attractive; if buyers commute short, they may be able to make up for this with careful calculations.