2025 Dodge Hornet vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

$29,995 · Crossover

$28,750 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Dodge Hornet blasts onto the compact crossover scene with raw, muscle-car spirit, delivering a potent 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque channeled through standard All-Wheel Drive. It screams performance, prioritizing engagement over economy. Conversely, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz approaches utility with a distinctly relaxed, truck-adjacent vibe, albeit with less power at 191 hp. While the Hornet boasts a significant 77 hp advantage, the Santa Cruz counters with superior efficiency, achieving a combined 25 MPG versus the Hornet's 24 MPG, and it accepts regular unleaded fuel. The Hornet is shorter overall at 178.0 inches, making it more nimble, whereas the Santa Cruz's 195.7-inch length hints at greater space, even though its 27 cu ft cargo capacity is surprisingly matched by the Hornet.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz wins for commuters due to its marginally better 25 MPG combined fuel economy and ability to run on cheaper regular unleaded fuel.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz is favored for families due to its longer overall length (195.7 inches) suggesting potentially better interior passenger volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Dodge Hornet

The Dodge Hornet is the clear choice for driving enthusiasts, boasting a formidable 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz offers better fuel flexibility and a lower starting MSRP of $28,750 compared to the Hornet's $29,995.

Choose the Dodge Hornet if...

You demand thrilling acceleration, highlighted by its 268 hp engine.
You prefer the enhanced traction and stability provided by its standard All-Wheel Drive system.
You value a more compact footprint for urban driving, measuring just 178.0 inches in length.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...

Fuel economy is paramount, as it offers 25 MPG combined and runs on regular unleaded gas.
You prefer the utility aspect implied by its longer 195.7-inch body structure.
You are seeking the lower entry price point at an MSRP of $28,750.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Dodge Hornet	Hyundai Santa Cruz
Length	178.0"	195.7"
Width	-	75.0"
Height	63.8"	66.7"
Wheelbase	103.8"	118.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	—	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	268 hp	191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	—	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/29 MPG	22/30 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	283.5/391.5 mi.	389.4/531.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.5 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	—
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Cruise Control	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	10.25 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	6 months	3 months
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Seat Material: Cloth/Sueded Microfiber	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Folding Capability	✓	—
Front Head Room	—	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	—	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	—	57.7 in.
Front Hip Room	—	54.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Head Room	—	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	—	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	—	56.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	53.5 in.
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R17	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—

Warranty

Feature	Dodge	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Dodge Hornet and 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz.

How much more powerful is the Dodge Hornet compared to the Hyundai Santa Cruz?

The 2025 Dodge Hornet offers a significant performance edge with 268 horsepower, which is exactly 77 hp more than the 191 hp produced by the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Which vehicle is more budget-friendly regarding fuel costs?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is more budget-friendly as it requires regular unleaded fuel, whereas the Hornet recommends premium unleaded. The Santa Cruz also achieves slightly better efficiency at 25 MPG combined.

Does the extra length of the Santa Cruz translate to better cargo capacity?

Surprisingly, no; the longer Hyundai Santa Cruz (195.7 inches) matches the shorter Dodge Hornet (178.0 inches) with both offering 27 cu ft of cargo capacity.

What is the main drivetrain difference between these two crossovers?

The Dodge Hornet comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, giving it better grip potential, while the standard configuration for the Hyundai Santa Cruz utilizes Front Wheel Drive.