Compare the2025 Dodge HornetVS 2025 Lexus UX

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

The Hornet offers an optional 360° Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Hornet and the UX 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available driver alert monitors.

There are almost 10 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Hornet’s warranty.

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 72 more horsepower (268 vs. 196) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 92 more horsepower (288 vs. 196) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The UX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Both the Hornet and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Hornet has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Hornet GT’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (13.5 vs. 10.6 gallons).

The Hornet has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The UX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Hornet R/T’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

The Hornet stops much shorter than the UX:

For better traction, the Hornet’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the UX (235/40R20 vs. 225/50R18).

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 UX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Hornet offers optional 20-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Hornet is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the UX.

The Hornet R/T handles at .84 G’s, while the UX AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Hornet R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the UX AWD (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Hornet GT has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the UX (8 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Hornet to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Hornet has 7.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (98 vs. 90.4).

The Hornet has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (27 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The Hornet has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

The Hornet has a much higher standard payload capacity than the UX (1195 vs. 890 lbs.).

The Hornet has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the UX (1245 vs. 890 lbs.).

The Hornet uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX 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 UX 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 UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 UX F Sport Handling.

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 UX 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 $285 less than the UX over a five-year period.