Compare the2025 Dodge HornetVS 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Hornet has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Hornet. But it costs extra on the Outlander.

Both the Hornet and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Hornet’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 8 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Hornet’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Hornet has a standard 160-amp alternator. The Outlander’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 87 more horsepower (268 vs. 181) and 114 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 107 more horsepower (288 vs. 181) and 202 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Dodge Hornet is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

	Hornet GT	Hornet R/T	Outlander
Zero to 30 MPH	2.8 sec	2.8 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	6.3 sec	9.9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.1 sec	3.7 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	14.9 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	97 MPH	83 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet running on electricity gets better mileage than the Outlander:

			MPGe
Hornet
	AWD	R/T Electric Motors	77 city/77 hwy
Outlander
			MPG
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Outlander:

			MPG
Hornet
	AWD	1.3 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	29 city/29 hwy
Outlander
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Outlander can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Hornet R/T’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Outlander doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Hornet’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Hornet stops shorter than the Outlander:

	Hornet	Outlander
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

The Hornet’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum’s 45 series tires.

The Hornet has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Hornet offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Outlander’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Hornet R/T handles at .87 G’s, while the Outlander SEL AWC pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Hornet R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Outlander SEL AWC (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The Hornet is 7.8 inches shorter than the Outlander, making the Hornet easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Hornet has .3 inches more front hip room and .2 inches more rear hip room than the Outlander.

The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume than the Outlander with its rear seat up (27 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The Hornet uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The power windows standard on both the Hornet and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Hornet is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Hornet’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Hornet the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Hornet’s standard Keyless Enter-N-Go allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Hornet’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Hornet’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Outlander ES’ standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Hornet offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Outlander doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Hornet’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Dodge Hornet has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Hornet’s optional ParkSense Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Hornet owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Hornet will cost $1820 to $9145 less than the Outlander over a five-year period.

The Hornet will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Hornet will retain 51.34% to 51.35% of its original price after five years, while the Outlander only retains 47.95% to 49.74%.