2024 Chevy Trailblazer vs 2024 Dodge Hornet

• 2024 Chevy Trailblazer

  

  Starting at

  $23,100^[a]

  2024 Dodge Hornet

  

  Starting at

  $31,400

  29/33	MPG city/hwy	21/29
  11 in	Screen Size	10.25 in
  4,409 lbs	GVWR	4,960 lbs

  The subcompact SUV segment is one of the most competitive in the auto industry these days, which means there are tons of different models out there for you to choose from. Narrowing things down and ensuring you get the perfect vehicle can be tricky, especially if you are trying to figure everything out on your own—don't worry, though, because we are here to help. It makes it much easier to focus on just a couple of vehicles and see how they stack up against each other, like the 2024 Chevy Trailblazer vs 2024 Dodge Hornet. This way, you can look at specific details of these two models and see which one would work better for you rather than trying to keep track of too many things at once.

  First, we will say that the performance of the Dodge Hornet is undeniable, and it is clear that Dodge's focus with the Hornet is on making a powerful SUV that feels like a sports car. As a result, it is also priced more like a sports car and less like a subcompact SUV, which we see as a big problem for our customers. The Chevy Trailblazer offers everything you would expect from an SUV like this, including excellent fuel economy, which will let you go further between stops for gas. Not only does this save you money in the long run, but it also makes your daily routine easier so you can get to and from work, pick up kids after school, and enjoy your weekends with fewer interruptions.

  While Dodge has certainly done its best to make an impressive SUV with the Hornet, giving it a well-designed interior, it falls short in certain ways. We have found the flexibility of the 2024 Trailblazer's interior surpasses the configurable options in the 2024 Hornet. You get a spacious interior with the Chevy Trailblazer that lets you and your passengers stretch out comfortably, plus a standard 11-inch Infotainment display larger than you can find inside the Hornet. When you put all of this together with the fact that the Trailblazer starts at about $8,000 less than Dodge's SUV, it becomes clear which one gives you more for your money.

• Fuel Efficiency and Engines

  

  At Blossom Chevrolet, we like to tell our customers that the engine is the heart of their vehicle and is every bit as important as any other aspect. People shopping for a big truck or a powerful sports car already know this, of course, but folks interested in a practical SUV might not always think about the importance of the engine. You are not looking for massive amounts of hp or blazing fast 0 to 60 mph times, after all, but you still deserve a vehicle that is fun to drive. Perhaps more importantly, however, you need a vehicle with an engine that is every bit as practical as the rest of the ride.

  Dodge Hornet: Performance at a Cost

  This is something Chevy clearly understands, as the engines they choose always make sense for the model you are looking at. We are not sure Dodge is on the same page in this regard, however, because they have essentially loaded a light muscle-car engine into their subcompact SUV. The standard engine in the Dodge Hornet delivers impressive performance, to be sure, but it does so at the cost of practicality and overall value. A big boost of horsepower can feel good when you are getting up to speed on the highway, but with an estimated 21 MPG in the city and 24 MPG of combined fuel efficiency, it will not feel good when you are back at the gas pump more than once in a single week.

  Chevy Trailblazer: Efficiency for the Road Ahead

  Looking at the Chevy Trailblazer, on the other hand, Chevy demonstrates what we expect from a subcompact SUV like this and the kind of reliable performance we look for. You have two different engines offered for the Trailblazer—Dodge also offers two engines for the Hornet, but one is a plug-in hybrid, so unless you plan on plugging your vehicle into an outlet frequently, it will not work well for you. The standard engine is a great choice, but the available turbocharged engine gives you greater power and an impressive 29 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and 31 MPG combined. That means you can enjoy your drive each day and spend a lot more time on the road with the Trailblazer, thanks to fewer stops for gas.

• Interior Features

  

  Most of your time with your vehicle will be spent with you inside it—sure, you will wash it on occasion, but the best times you will have with your SUV are when you drive it. That is why the interior features of any vehicle you are interested in are so important, including things like innovative technology and a spacious design. It can be tempting to see these things as luxuries or nonessential, but people often regret overlooking the importance of interior features on their previous vehicles. Chevy understands the importance of a comfortable and practical cabin, and you can see it in how well they have designed the interior of the 2024 Trailblazer.

  Flexibility

  The Dodge Hornet interior has some nice features, but at the end of the day, we prefer what the Trailblazer brings to the road. For one thing, Dodge only offers two trim levels for the Hornet for each engine type, creating a surprisingly small number of options. Beyond that, the interior is pretty well laid out, but the Chevy Trailblazer has more flexible options with their front passenger seat that folds down to offer space for objects up to 8.5 feet long. Tech features in the Hornet are generally good, with a 10.25-inch Infotainment display and available options like an advanced sound system and more for drivers to enjoy.

  Larger Displays

  With the Chevy Trailblazer, however, you get much more to take advantage of and pay a lot less for it. For example, the Trailblazer has a standard 11-inch Infotainment display that is noticeably bigger than the Hornet's screen, along with an 8.0-inch Driver Information Center that is standard in every model, plus available options like a wireless charging pad and more. What is remarkable is that the Trailblazer starts at more than $8,000 less than the Hornet, and you have four trim levels available from Chevy. This means you have the freedom to get everything you want inside your Trailblazer: a beautifully designed interior that is spacious for all of your passengers while stretching your budget further with available options.

• Overall Value

  

  We know that thinking about your budget is not always the best part of shopping for a vehicle, but it is an important thing to have in mind as you look at your options. No matter what your budget looks like, you deserve to get a fantastic vehicle that is also of great value, so you get the most for your money. The Dodge Hornet is a subcompact SUV that starts at more than $31,000 right now—that is a big ask for this type of vehicle. We will not deny that they have packed some impressive features into it, but you can choose from a lot of incredible vehicles if your budget starts at $31,000.

  Affordability and Great Features

  The Chevy Trailblazer, on the other hand, starts at just over $23,000—we do not have to tell you what a remarkable price difference that is.^[a] And while there are plenty of available options to add to your Trailblazer, the base price remains decidedly more approachable. In fact, you can choose the beautifully designed Trailblazer RS model (one of the two highest trims) with standard features like an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and remote start functionality while still looking at a lower price than the starting Dodge Hornet model. That is an incredible value, and it shows how well Chevy understands the importance of sticking to a comfortable budget when shopping for your next car, truck, or SUV.

The Trailblazer Has What You're Looking For