2025 Dodge Hornet GT: Manahawkin Buyers Guide

What's actually standard here

Dodge didn't skimp on the base trim's tech. Every GT gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch Uconnect touchscreen running wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, so there's no dongle-hunting or cable-tangling before a school run. SiriusXM and Amazon Alexa are built in, the six-speaker stereo is perfectly serviceable for daily use, and the Dodge Connect app lets you check on the car remotely. Koni's frequency-selective damping shocks, usually a feature reserved for sportier trims elsewhere, come standard, which is part of why the Hornet has a reputation for feeling tighter through a curve than most crossovers this size.

The seats are a cloth-and-synthetic-leather blend, practical for a car that's going to see beach towels and car seats in roughly equal measure, and the cabin runs dual-zone automatic climate control rather than a single shared setting, a small thing that matters on a summer carpool with kids who disagree about temperature.

The engine, in plain terms

The GT's 2.0L turbocharged four makes 268 hp and 295 lb-ft, routed through a 9-speed automatic to standard all-wheel drive, with a 6.5-second run to 60 mph. That's quick for a compact crossover in this price range, quicker than most buyers expect from a vehicle this size. EPA ratings land at 21 city, 29 highway, 24 combined, on regular unleaded, so there's no premium-fuel penalty added to the ownership cost. If quicker, quieter, plug-in-hybrid acceleration and about 33 miles of electric-only range sound more appealing, the R/T guide covers that alternative powertrain in detail.

Who the GT actually fits

First-time all-wheel-drive buyers who want winter security without a truck-sized payment. Commuters running Route 72 into Toms River or across the causeway who'd rather not think about gas station stops twice a week. Families who need a genuine back seat and real cargo space but don't need three rows. The GT covers all of that without forcing a jump to the Plus trim's leather and sunroof, which some buyers simply don't need. If those extras do matter to you, particularly the heated seats worth having through a Jersey Shore February, the GT Plus guide details exactly what the step up buys.

Frequently asked questions

What does the 2025 Hornet GT cost?

MSRP is $31,585 before the $1,595 destination charge, New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, and title and registration fees. The pricing & leasing guide walks through the full math, and current offers are posted separately and change monthly.

Does the GT have all-wheel drive standard?

Yes. Every 2025 Hornet, GT included, comes with all-wheel drive standard; it's not an option you add later.

What's missing compared to the GT Plus?

Mainly the comfort layer: no power sunroof, no heated or ventilated seats, no genuine leather, no navigation, no wireless charging pad, and the base six-speaker stereo instead of the 14-speaker Harman Kardon system. The core engine, AWD, and safety tech are identical between the two.

Is the GT quick for its size?

Yes, a 6.5-second 0-60 with 268 hp is noticeably brisker than most compact crossovers in this price range, which tend to run closer to 8 or 9 seconds.

Where can I test drive a Hornet GT near Long Beach Island?

Manahawkin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 188 Route 72, roughly ten minutes from the LBI causeway, keeps hours until 8 PM Monday through Thursday.

The bottom line

The GT is the Hornet with everything that matters for daily driving already included: a genuinely quick turbo engine, standard AWD, and a full modern tech screen, without paying for leather or a sunroof you may not need. For a straightforward family crossover on a defined budget, it's the trim that makes the least-complicated case for itself.