Dodge Hornet vs. Alfa Romeo Tonale: What’s the Difference?
Dodge Hornet vs. 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale
See Why the Tonale Is the Smarter Buy at Ron Lewis Alfa Romeo in Cranberry Twp, PA
Hornet or Tonale: The Quick Answer
The Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale are close relatives. Both were built side by side at Stellantis’s Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy, and the Hornet GT uses the same 268-hp 2.0L turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive as the Tonale. The biggest difference now is that Dodge ended Hornet production, and 2025 was its final model year, while Alfa Romeo refreshed the 2026 Tonale with new styling, a wider track, quicker steering, upgraded interior materials, and a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty.
The Hornet still has two things going for it: a lower original sticker price, and the R/T plug-in hybrid, which the 2026 Tonale no longer offers. If you want the current, updated version of this Italian-built SUV with Alfa Romeo’s chassis tuning and longer basic coverage, the Tonale is the one to buy.
Power, Performance and Driving Feel
2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale
The 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale keeps the proven 2.0L turbo but sharpens everything around it. Alfa Romeo widened the track on every version and gave the Tonale a 13.6:1 steering ratio, which the brand calls the most direct in the segment. The result is a compact SUV that feels eager and precise, not just quick.
- 2.0L turbocharged I-4 with 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque
- 9-speed automatic and standard Q4 all-wheel drive
- Quicker 13.6:1 steering and a wider track for 2026
- Four-piston Brembo brakes on Veloce and Sport Speciale
- Dual-mode suspension standard on Veloce
Dodge Hornet
The Dodge Hornet was sold for the 2023 through 2025 model years. The Hornet GT shares the Tonale’s 2.0L turbo and 9-speed automatic, while the Hornet R/T used a 1.3L turbocharged plug-in hybrid setup. Dodge stopped building the Hornet after tariffs on Italian-built vehicles and slow sales, so the remaining new Hornets are 2025 leftovers.
- Hornet GT: 2.0L turbo with 268 hp and 295 lb-ft (same as Tonale)
- Hornet R/T: plug-in hybrid with up to 288 hp and 383 lb-ft
- R/T offers about 30 miles of all-electric driving range
- Standard all-wheel drive on every trim
- 2025 was the final model year; no 2026 updates
Interior Comfort and Cargo Space
2026 Tonale Interior
For 2026, Alfa Romeo reworked the Tonale’s cabin with better materials and, for the first time, available leather seating in black or red. The new Sport Speciale trim goes further with a black and pearl Alcantara interior. Read more in our Alfa Romeo Tonale review.
- 27.0 cu ft of cargo space, 54.7 cu ft with rear seats folded
- Available black or red leather seats; Alcantara on Sport Speciale
- Eight-way power front seats with four-way power lumbar
- Heated leather-trimmed steering wheel and wireless charging
- Available ventilated front seats and ambient lighting
Dodge Hornet Interior
Because it shares the Tonale’s underlying structure, the Hornet has a similar cabin layout and cargo area, with Dodge-specific trim and badging. It’s a practical compact SUV, but its interior didn’t receive the material upgrades the Tonale got for 2026.
- Up to 27.0 cu ft of cargo space (less on R/T plug-in hybrids)
- Seating for five with a similar footprint to the Tonale
- Dodge-specific interior trim and styling
- Upper trims add premium upholstery and features
- No 2026 interior refresh
Technology and Driver Assistance
2026 Tonale Technology
The Tonale runs Uconnect 5 on a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, paired with a 12.3-inch digital cluster. Adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition are standard, and the Active Assist Package adds active driving assist, ParkSense, and a surround-view camera.
- 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with navigation
- 12.3-inch full-color digital instrument cluster
- Standard adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition
- Available Active Assist Package with surround-view camera
- Available Harman Kardon premium audio
Dodge Hornet Technology
The Hornet uses the same Uconnect 5 platform and similar screen sizes, so day-to-day tech is a close match. The difference is in the details: the Tonale is the model that continues to receive updates, while the Hornet’s feature set is frozen at the 2025 model year.
- Uconnect 5 infotainment with touchscreen
- Digital instrument cluster
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Driver-assist features vary by trim
- Feature set ends with the 2025 model year
Hornet vs. Tonale: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Dodge Hornet (2025) | 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Status | Production ended; 2025 was the final year | Refreshed for 2026, in production | Tonale |
| Gas Engine | 2.0L turbo, 268 hp / 295 lb-ft (GT) | 2.0L turbo, 268 hp / 295 lb-ft | Tie |
| Plug-In Hybrid | R/T PHEV, up to 288 hp | Not offered for 2026 | Hornet |
| Drivetrain | Standard AWD | Standard Q4 AWD | Tie |
| Steering and Chassis | Carryover tuning | Wider track, 13.6:1 steering for 2026 | Tonale |
| Starting MSRP | From $29,995 (2025 GT) | From $36,995 (Sprint) | Hornet |
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi | 4 yr/50,000 mi | Tonale |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 yr/60,000 mi | 4 yr/50,000 mi | Hornet |
| Cargo, Rear Seats Up | Up to 27.0 cu ft | 27.0 cu ft | Tie |
| Interior Upgrades | No 2026 refresh | New materials, available leather, Alcantara on Sport Speciale | Tonale |
| Exterior Design | 2023-era styling | New 33 Stradale-inspired front end, 3 new colors | Tonale |
MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title, registration and dealer fees; pricing subject to change. Hornet figures reflect the final 2025 model year. Contact Ron Lewis Alfa Romeo for current Tonale pricing and Alfa Romeo offers.
Exterior Design and Road Presence
2026 Tonale Design
The 2026 Tonale wears a fresh face with a concave grille inspired by Alfa Romeo’s 33 Stradale supercar, larger trilobe air intakes, and a shorter front overhang. It looks unmistakably Italian, from the Scudetto shield to the three-hole wheels on the Sport Speciale.
- New 33 Stradale-inspired grille and larger trilobe intakes
- Shorter front overhang and wider track
- New colors: Rosso Brera, Verde Monza and Giallo Ocra
- Available 19- and 20-inch wheels and black roof
- Sprint, Veloce and Sport Speciale trims
Dodge Hornet Design
The Hornet wraps the Tonale’s body structure in Dodge-specific styling, with its own front fascia, lighting, and badging. It’s a sporty-looking compact SUV, but its design stays as it was when it launched for 2023.
- Dodge-specific front and rear styling
- Shares its body structure with the Tonale
- Sporty GT and R/T trim appearance
- Compact footprint for easy city parking
- No design updates after 2025
Why Choose the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale?
The Current, Updated Version of an Italian Original
The Tonale and Hornet started from the same Italian foundation, but only the Tonale moves forward. For 2026 it gets sharper styling, quicker steering, a wider track, nicer materials, and longer basic warranty coverage, all backed by Pittsburgh’s exclusive Alfa Romeo dealership. Want the full picture? Start with our 2026 Tonale overview or learn who makes Alfa Romeo.
A Current Model, Not a Leftover
The 2026 Tonale is in production and freshly updated, while the remaining new Hornets are 2025 leftovers from a discontinued model line.
More Basic Warranty Coverage
The Tonale’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty runs a full year and 14,000 miles longer than the Hornet’s 3-year/36,000-mile coverage, and it includes 4 years of roadside assistance.
Alfa Romeo Driving Feel
A wider track, 13.6:1 steering, available Brembo brakes, and available dual-mode suspension give the Tonale the agile character Alfa Romeo is known for. Curious about long-term ownership? Read our Tonale reliability guide.
People Also Ask: Dodge Hornet vs. Alfa Romeo Tonale
Is the Dodge Hornet the same as the Alfa Romeo Tonale?
They are closely related. Both were built on the same platform at the same Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d’Arco, Italy, and the Hornet GT uses the Tonale’s 268-hp 2.0L turbo engine. They differ in styling, interior, chassis tuning, warranty, and the Tonale’s 2026 updates.
Was the Dodge Hornet discontinued?
Yes. Dodge ended Hornet production and confirmed in January 2026 that it would not return, making 2025 the final model year. Dodge says Hornet owners will continue to receive service, warranty coverage, and parts support.
Is the Alfa Romeo Tonale more expensive than the Dodge Hornet?
Yes. The 2026 Tonale starts at $36,995 MSRP, compared with $29,995 for the 2025 Hornet GT, before destination and fees. The Tonale adds a longer basic warranty, a 2026 design and chassis refresh, and upgraded interior materials.
Does the 2026 Tonale come as a plug-in hybrid like the Hornet R/T?
No. Alfa Romeo dropped the Tonale plug-in hybrid in the U.S. for 2026. Every 2026 Tonale uses a 268-hp 2.0L turbocharged engine with standard all-wheel drive.
Which has a better warranty, the Hornet or the Tonale?
The Tonale has the longer basic warranty at 4 years/50,000 miles versus the Hornet’s 3 years/36,000 miles. The Hornet has the longer powertrain warranty at 5 years/60,000 miles versus the Tonale’s 4 years/50,000 miles.
Test Drive the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale Today
Visit Ron Lewis Alfa Romeo in Cranberry Twp to drive the 2026 Tonale and feel how Alfa Romeo’s updates set it apart. Driving a Hornet today? Get a value for your trade and see what it takes to step up.
Photo credits: Dodge Hornet front and side by Elise240SX and Hornet interior by Deathpallie325 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Alfa Romeo Tonale interior and dashboard by Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0); Tonale header photo by Mr.choppers (CC BY-SA 3.0). Via Wikimedia Commons; images resized and cropped.
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