2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from the previous year, simplifying its lineup to six trim levels: SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line. Most models came with more standard features than before. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with its 21-inch wheels and Aurora Red paint, gave the Atlas an upscale look, though the interior materials felt cheap for a nearly $54,000 SUV. The interior design was simple yet premium, but the abundance of hard, shiny plastics detracted from the overall quality.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased Dodge's muscle-car styling with a wide, aggressive front end, bulging hood, and illuminated Rhombi logo. From the rear, it resembled a Porsche Macan or Cayenne, giving it a premium feel. The Hornet's standard silver 17-inch wheels looked cheap from afar, but the Blacktop and Track Pack packages offered more appealing options. The Hornet continued Dodge's tradition of "High Impact Paint" with seven vibrant color options. Inside, the Hornet featured red stitching accents and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, emphasizing its performance roots. The GT Plus trim added more comfort with eight-way power-adjustable leather seats.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, requiring premium fuel for maximum output. It had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 22-23 mpg combined. The V6, standard on higher trims, made 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, its acceleration was leisurely, and it had a gritty feel. Fuel economy for the V6 was 19-20 mpg combined. The Atlas featured various driving modes and an AWD system with Active Control calibrations, but its ride quality was mixed, with a busy ride on rough surfaces and added body float on undulating pavement.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted best-in-class performance with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This outperformed most competitors, with only the Mazda CX-30 coming close. The Hornet's Sport mode sharpened throttle responses, steering, and upshifts, achieving a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds. The base Hornet GT was peppy from a standstill but had noticeable lag when accelerating from cruising speeds. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain improved pickup pace. Overall, the Hornet's performance was impressive, especially at lower speeds.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort. With the discontinuation of the base S trim, cloth seats were no longer available, but V-Tex leatherette seating, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat were standard. Higher trims added features like tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The Atlas could comfortably seat seven adults, with easy access to the third row. Cargo space was exceptional, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's GT Plus trim offered more comfortable leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and two memory settings. The front passenger seat matched the driver's for adjustability, though it lacked memory function. Both seats were heated and ventilated in the GT Plus trim. The cockpit layout was driver-oriented, with the screen and controls angled toward the driver. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar design could obstruct the view of traffic from the right. The Hornet's interior was well-designed for a performance-focused vehicle.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, featuring an 8-inch display that expanded to 10.25 inches on higher trims. The SE trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with last-generation infotainment, while other trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L. The MyVW smartphone app provided access to Car-Net services, and higher trims included a navigation system and a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome tuning process.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen, both angled toward the driver. The Uconnect 5 system was intuitive and easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, dual-phone Bluetooth connectivity, and Amazon Alexa integration. The GT Plus trim added a wireless charging pad and navigation. The six-speaker sound system was standard, while the GT Plus came with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium system. The navigation system worked well, though it occasionally continued giving instructions after ending a route.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and Travel Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a surround-view camera system and Park Assist technology. However, the Lane Assist system had issues with old construction markings, and the parking sensors could be overly sensitive. The Atlas received decent crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came standard with advanced driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, a rear backup camera, and a rear park-assist system. The Tech Pack added a surround-view camera, driver-attention monitoring, and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. The Hornet had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but its advanced safety features were promising.