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Dodge Hornet vs Hyundai Tucson

2025 Dodge Hornet vs 2025 Hyundai Tucson — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Dodge Hornet

2025 Dodge Hornet

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Hyundai Tucson

2025 Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Hyundai Tucson is more fuel-efficient: 38 vs 29 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $550 a year less in fuel for the Hyundai Tucson (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Hyundai Tucson is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Dodge Hornet has had fewer recall campaigns (8 vs 29).

The two cars

The 2025 Dodge Hornet is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.3L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 178 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,527 lb (GT 4dr SUV).

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,468 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2023 Hornet and the 2021 Tucson have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2024 Hornet and the 2016 Tucson.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
1.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

29 MPG
Best combined MPG
38 MPG
29 city
City / highway MPG (best)
38 city
$2,300
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,750

Performance & space

268 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
178.3 in
Length
182.3 in
72.4 in
Width
73.2 in
63.8 in
Height
64.2 in
3,527 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,340 lb

Safety & reliability

–
NHTSA overall rating
★★★★★
12
Driver-assist features standard
14
3
Recalls (2025)
7
8
Recalls, all years since 2005
29
2
Owner complaints (latest year)
448

Interest

4,948
Wikipedia views, 30 days
22,259

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2021
2024
Year to avoid
2016

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Dodge Hornet if…

  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (8 vs 29 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (38 vs 29 MPG)
  • You want more room (4 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Pros & cons of each

2025 Dodge Hornet

  • Strong performanceUp to 268 hp, versus about 190 hp for similar 2025 models.
  • Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2025 Hyundai Tucson

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 48% better than the average 2025 small SUV (25.6 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Many owner complaints448 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 31 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.
  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2025 Dodge Hornet specs →Full 2025 Hyundai Tucson specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →