Are you a driving enthusiast looking for an exciting ride in your daily life or are you looking for more practicality and day-to-day function? Whatever your style, the 2025 Dodge Hornet or Ford Escape may be a good choice for you.
Key Takeaways:
- The 2025 Dodge Hornet offers two powertrains, while the Ford Escape has multiple engine options.
- There is more cargo space and comfortable seating in the 2025 Ford Escape, while the Dodge Hornet has a higher quality infotainment experience.
- Both the Dodge Hornet and Ford Escape have hybrid options, though the Escape has significantly higher fuel economy.
Does the 2025 Dodge Hornet have more power than the Ford Escape?
If you enjoy a good driving experience with good power and feel, then the 2025 Dodge Hornet is an excellent choice for you. This crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is available with two powertrain options. The gas powered GT and GT Plus come with a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that gets 268 horsepower and is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. You’ll get from 0-60 miles per hour in approximately 5.7 seconds. This engine paired with its standard all-wheel drive gives you a good handling feel on the road.
Dodge’s first plug-in hybrid, the R/T and R/T Plus trim is powered by a turbocharged 1.3L four-cylinder combined with an electric motor, giving a combined 288 horsepower. In addition, the R/T Plus has a horsepower boost of 30 horsepower with its PowerShot feature, which you activate by pulling both paddle shifters. The hybrid model Hornet has a six-speed automatic transmission. Like the gas-powered model, the hybrid trims come with standard all-wheel drive.
If you want a good family or commuter car to get you around town, but don’t really feel the need to feel the roar of power, the Ford Escape may be a good option for you. The gas-powered Escape has the option of two powertrains. You can get a 181 horsepower turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder engine with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Or if you want a little more oomph, there is the 2.0L four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. Both engine options pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Escape hybrid also has two powertrain options. A 2.5L four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors is standard and gives a combined 192 horsepower. This is partnered with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is an option. You can opt for a plug-in hybrid version that gets 210 horsepower, but only comes with front-wheel drive.
Which compact SUV is more roomy and comfortable?
Though the 2025 Dodge Hornet has a comfortable feel for front seat passengers, the Ford Escape also takes the rear seat passenger and cargo space into consideration. The tight feel in the rear seat of the Hornet does offer 38 inches of legroom. The cargo space behind the seat is 27 cubic feet; with the seats folded down, you’ll get 54.7 cubic feet. That space is lowered in the hybrid version, because of the electric engine taking some space, to 22.9 cu-ft and 50.5 cu-ft respectively.
Comparatively a lot roomier in the rear, the Ford Escape’s cargo space is 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The hybrid version has 34.4 cu-ft behind the seats and 60.8 cu-ft with the seats folded down. This comes in handy if you’ve got kids, and all their equipment, to pick up from a sports practice or need to make a grocery run.
Driver comfort in the Hornet compares to that of its cousin, the Tonale, giving a spacious and comfortable feel in the cabin. And like its Italian relatives, the primary controls and infotainment system is slightly canted toward the driver for easy accessibility and comfort. All trims come with an easily viewed 10.3 inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3 inch digital gauge display.
The infotainment software interface is the latest Uconnect 5 system with standard wireless Apple AutoPlay and Android Auto, as well as Amazon Alexa connectivity. If you choose the higher Plus trims, you’ll also get the 14-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo system and in-dash navigation.
In the Escape, you’ll find a standard 8 inch infotainment system, which can be upgraded with the larger 13.2 inch touchscreen display that is standard in the Platinum trims. The system runs Ford’s Sync 4 interface with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay capability. Optional technology features are available.
Does the Dodge Hornet or Ford Escape have better fuel economy?
The gas-powered models of Hornet will get you approximately 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Going for a hybrid model will increase your fuel efficiency dramatically to 77 MPGe, with a rating of 29 mpg overall. The electric motor’s 12.0-kWh battery pack is rated for 32 miles of electric driving per charge and takes about two and half hours to fully charge. Still the Hornet is a fast exhilarating drive.
There is more of a variant due to the several motor options, with the Ford Escape. The best fuel efficiency in the non-hybrid models comes with the standard front-wheel drive option, getting 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. When adding all-wheel drive, you’ll get 26 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The larger 2.0L four-cylinder motor with all-wheel drive is rated for 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
Naturally, the hybrid Escape has even better fuel efficiency. It gets 42 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway using either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The plug-in model can get up to 44 mpg city. This model has a 11.2-kWh battery pack, which gets an estimate of 37 miles of electric driving.
Summary:
If you’re looking for more power and better feel in your driving experience, the sporty 2025 Dodge Hornet is an excellent option. It has a comfortable and accessible cabin and a great infotainment system, not to mention the great power you’ll get from both the hybrid and non-hybrid motors. The good people at Alan Jay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Clewiston are ready and happy to help you decide what vehicle will fit your lifestyle. Contact them today!