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Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV vs. Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce – Performance, Price & Efficiency Compared

Writer's picture: Alain Kuhn Von KuhnenfeldAlain Kuhn Von Kuhnenfeld

Dodge has been yearning for new models for years, and the same can be said for Alfa Romeo. Parent company Stellantis brought a new model to both automakers to be the most enjoyable vehicle in their respective segment and feature their distinctive design. Without further ado, let's dig deeper and find out if the operation was a success: the Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV has an MSRP of $68,230, while the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV Veloce has an MSRP of $74,280. Both vehicles are manufactured at the Pomigliano d'Arco plant in Italy.


Alfa Romeo Tonale speeding on a dirt road through a dense forest, headlights on. Overcast sky sets a moody and adventurous tone.
Photo by Vincent Patenaude

Design-wise, the Alfa Romeo Tonale fits seamlessly into the Italian automaker's lineup. Its triangular front grille, distinctive LED Trilobo headlights and taillights, and 20-inch five-hole wheels all evoke a strong Alfa identity, aligning it with models like the Giulia and Stelvio in North America. The Tonale exudes the European flair and aggression typical of Italian cars.


Dodge Hornet R/T parked on a rural road under a vibrant blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Lush green grass borders the road.
Photo by Vincent Patenaude

In contrast, the Dodge Hornet, a name rooted in the 1950s Hudson Hornet, doesn't blend well with Dodge's current lineup. While part of a broader SUV push, it lacks the boldness of the larger Durango and feels like an afterthought. Its uninspired grille, bland rear design, and dull wheels have frustrated many Dodge fans, feeling it doesn't reflect the brand's heritage. The Hornet might fit better within Chrysler's lineup, but that's a discussion for another day. In this regard, the Tonale has the upper hand.



Both vehicles share many similarities, given they're built at the same plant, though notable differences exist. Both feature a 12.3-inch digital display with customizable layouts, including a full-screen map, and similar steering wheels with fixed aluminum paddle shifters for a performance-oriented feel. The door panels are the same, but the air vents differ—rounded on the Alfa and pentagon-shaped on the Dodge. While both retain most physical controls, the heated seats and steering wheel are integrated into the infotainment system. Both models have a 10.25-inch display offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, plus a Harman/Kardon premium sound system. Each vehicle also includes four USB ports and a wireless phone charger.


Alfa Romeo Tonale with a sleek steering wheel and digital dashboard. Outside, trees and buildings are visible. The screen displays car settings.
Photo by Vincent Patenaude - The Alfa Romeo Tonale Phev

Regarding interior space, the Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale are compact SUVs, but they feel more cramped than most competitors. Both seat five, with front passengers enjoying comfortable seating in black and red Alcantara in the Hornet and perforated black leather in the Tonale, with stitched logos. The rear seats fit three but are tight on space, with decent headroom but limited legroom. Cargo space is also modest, to say the least; both offer up to 648 litres (22.9 cubic feet) with a narrow opening for larger items. Size-wise, even though pricing is among the highest in the segment, both the Tonale and Hornet have smaller trunks than the competition. For car seat installation, ISOFIX ports are visible with some effort, but the rear anchors are easy to find in the trunk.


Dodge Hornet R/T view with steering wheel, central screen showing 13:28, and gear shift. Outside, clear sky with clouds and trees visible.
Photo by Vincent Patenaude - Dodge Hornet R/T

Performance-wise, the Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV and Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce stand out among other plug-in hybrid SUVs and crossovers. Both models share the same powertrain: a 1.3L turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine paired with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission, a 15.5kWh battery and electric motors. The Dodge delivers up to 288 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the Alfa Romeo offers 285 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque. Both accelerate to 100 km/h in under 6.0 seconds, setting the benchmark in their respective segments. The Hornet also has a feature called PowerShot, a boost from the electric motor for about 10-15 seconds, allowing it to reach the sub-6 second sprint off the starting line. Alfa and Dodge aren't messing around with braking power, as our test models featured Brembo front brake callipers, which help stop these cars quickly. They are also both all-wheel drive, enhancing the driving experience for better launches from a standstill and more stability in corners. 


That being said, the Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet fare somewhat differently under similar driving conditions. The Alfa Romeo is stiffer, the suspension is slightly different from its American counterpart's, and it provides a sportier daily feel. The steering is firmer than its rivals and is planted in high-speed turns. As mentioned earlier, the Q4 system manages, in true Italian fashion, the power distribution to all four wheels. The Dodge is slightly more comfortable daily, and the adaptive dual-valve suspension balances out the driver's needs depending on the situation. It is punchier when you floor it in Sport mode; the steering becomes firmer, and the PowerShot unlocks all the power for a few seconds. The steering and handling aren't far off the segment's rivals in day-to-day use. In other words, it is a decent small crossover for city-dwellers, and parking is a breeze, especially in the Hornet. We had one issue with the HOLD button, a feature that keeps the car's brakes engaged for an extended period. For some reason, the button was tucked away in a submenu, making it really inconvenient to activate or deactivate. We had to dig through the user manual and even search on YouTube to figure out where it was, which made the whole process unnecessarily frustrating. Just so you know, you'll find it under Vehicle> Settings > Brakes, and it's labelled "Hold 'n Go."


The Alfa Romeo Tonale Phev:


As for fuel economy and EV range, both vehicles performed as expected in terms of electric range. We reached 47 km (29.2 mi) of EV range driving on the highway and matched the announced 53 km (32.9 mi) range in the city. For an inexplicable reason, you can drive a few kilometres with the battery indicator at 50 km before it starts dropping. Fuel-wise, the Alfa was much more efficient than the Dodge. After driving both vehicles for a week each for nearly the same distance and the same ratio of city and highway driving (40-60%), the Tonale managed an honest combined 5.6L/100km (42 mpg). In contrast, the Hornet managed a less impressive 8.3L/100km (28.4 mpg) in similar summer weather. It is hard to explain the nearly 50% increase between two models that weigh the same and are powered by the same engine and transmission combo.


Dodge Hornet R/T:


Finishing off, the fact that the Dodge Hornet R/T Plus and Alfa Romeo Veloce are only about $6,000 apart puts both brands at a disadvantage, with the American Hornet suffering the most due to Stellantis' pricing structure. While the Hornet's smaller size and lower fuel economy might be more forgivable, its starting MSRP of $58,040 makes it a less attractive option compared to larger competitors like the Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4 Prime, and Kia Sportage PHEV, to name a few. As for the Tonale, its premium positioning places it in a different league, but it's still priced higher than larger vehicles like the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring and Volvo XC60 T8 AWD plug-in hybrid and is only about $3,000 less than the Lexus NX 450h+. In short, both vehicles are priced too high — especially the Hornet, undermining the sales of an otherwise promising product.



Alfa Romeo and Dodge lent us these vehicles for one week as press vehicles. We have no affiliation with Alfa Romeo and Dodge Canada. The above reflects our personal opinion of the cars referred to above.

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