Compare the2023 Hyundai KonaVS 2023 Dodge Hornet

Both the Kona and the Hornet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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 all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 230 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Hornet has not been tested, yet.

The Kona comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Hornet’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Kona 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Dodge covers the Hornet. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Hornet ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Kona’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Hornet’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Hornet.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 8th.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Kona uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Hornet requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Kona 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.

The Kona has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Hornet doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Kona offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Hornet doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Kona has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Hornet doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the Kona’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Hornet’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

The Hyundai Kona may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 pounds less than the Dodge Hornet.

The Kona is 1 foot shorter than the Hornet, making the Kona easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kona is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Hornet doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Kona was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2019. The Hornet has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue, and the Hornet has only been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Kona as the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Hornet has never been chosen.