Dodge Officially Kills Hornet After Sales Collapse

Around a month ago, Dodge dealers were still battling to sell 2024 versions of the Hornet plug-in hybrid. At that stage, inventory of the 2024 electrified SUV still sat at over 80%. But the Hornet’s problems run far deeper than the hybrid model, as Dodge has seen fit to kill off the crossover entirely, including the base non-hybrid model. This means there’ll be no 2026 Hornet, with the sporty crossover surviving for a mere three model years.

Dodge Blames Policy Shift For Hornet’s Demise

A Dodge spokesperson was vague when explaining the reasons for the Hornet’s demise, but ensured that existing owners of the crossover would continue receiving support for parts and servicing.

"Production of the Dodge Hornet, built in Italy, has ended due to shifts in the policy environment,” said the spokesperson in a statement to CarBuzz. “Dodge is committed to ensuring Dodge Hornet owners continue to receive customer support, service, warranty coverage and sustained parts supply. All Dodge Hornet models carry a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV upgrades to 8-year/80,000-mile warranty on hybrid components and 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for battery."

Last year, sales of the Hornet fell off a cliff. Only 9,365 units were sold, a decline of 54% relative to 2024. In Q4 alone, only 879 Hornets were sold, a drop of 82%. Poor sales aside, the “shifts in policy” Dodge referenced likely had to do with the implications of tariffs, which particularly impacted smaller models like the Hornet in price-sensitive segments. As the Hornet was assembled in Italy, it was directly affected by the Trump administration’s tariffs.

Dodge Can Refocus On High-Horsepower Models

Although the Hornet’s 268-horsepower engine was no slouch, it was still an outlier in Dodge’s lineup of cars. This is a brand that thrives on large, powerful models, as evidenced by strong sales of the Durango three-row SUV last year. The SUV’s powerful V6 and V8 engines make it an outstanding performer in its segment.

The new Charger muscle car also emphasized the continued relevance of gas power at Dodge, with the SixPack models introducing a 550-horsepower 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine last year. There are still hopes that a V8-powered Charger will make a comeback, too.

The Hornet’s departure is a disappointment, though, as it was one of the more engaging small crossovers to drive. But you can still buy one, sort of, in the form of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, which lives on for 2026. It has the same powertrain and underpinnings as the Hornet, but with an even more attractive design.

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