The Dodge Hornet is gone from production. We'll lead with that plainly. Dodge confirmed the discontinuation in January 2026, and no 2025 replacement is coming. What that means for a Birmingham commuter right now is simple enough. Remaining 2025 Hornets are sitting on dealer lots across the country, and two questions actually matter. Does the car fit your commute, and which of the two very different powertrains fits you?
Those questions deserve a clear answer, because the GT and the R/T are built around genuinely different powertrain philosophies. Pick the wrong one and you'll either overpay for electric range you won't use, or leave 20 miles per gallon of city efficiency on the table, right in the middle of the stop-and-go on I-20/59.
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- For short-radius downtown commuters (under 35 miles round-trip): The 2025 Hornet R/T PHEV can cover a full workday roundtrip on electric power alone, rated at 32 miles of all-electric EPA range.
- For drivers with a longer or mixed commute: The GT's 268-hp 2.0L turbo and standard AWD give you a genuinely quick compact crossover rated at 24 mpg combined, without plugging in.
- For the Malfunction Junction slog: The R/T's regenerative braking recovers energy through deceleration, which matters most in exactly the kind of stop-and-go driving that connects I-20/59, I-65, and downtown Birmingham.
- Honest tradeoff: The R/T PHEV weighs more, costs more, and needs a charging setup at home to use the electric range meaningfully. If you won't plug in nightly, the GT is the cleaner call.
- Both trims come standard with AWD and a 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
What Actually Matters When Choosing Between the GT and R/T?
For a downtown Birmingham commute, two variables cut through the noise, your daily round-trip mileage and whether you have somewhere to plug in overnight, and those two facts decide which Hornet trim earns its keep and which one wastes your money. Get those two answers straight and the rest of the decision follows.
The decision table below maps each trim against common commuter scenarios. Use the "best for" column to find your situation, then check the tradeoff before you commit.
| Trim | Best For | Key Spec | Honest Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| GT (2.0L Turbo) | Longer or unpredictable commutes, no home charging | 268 hp, 295 lb-ft, 24 mpg combined (EPA) | Lower city efficiency; gas-only means no electric running |
| GT Plus | Longer commute, want comfort features (heated seats, sunroof) | Same powertrain; adds power liftgate, ventilated seats | Higher upfront than base GT |
| R/T PHEV | Sub-35-mile daily roundtrip with home charging access | 288 hp, 383 lb-ft, 32 mi electric range, 77 MPGe (EPA) | Heavier, costlier, needs Level 2 charger to maximize EV range |
| R/T Plus | PHEV commuter who wants top-tier tech (surround-view camera, Harman Kardon) | Same powertrain; adds premium audio and camera system | Most expensive trim in the lineup |
The Powertrain Choice Hits Differently on I-20/59
The powertrain choice changes the daily experience most on the I-20/59 corridor through downtown Birmingham, specifically the stretch into what locals call Malfunction Junction where I-20, I-59, and I-65 converge, one of the more reliably congested runs in the metro. Stop-and-go at that interchange is not occasional. It's the morning and afternoon pattern.
The R/T's PHEV architecture earns its place right there. The eAWD system pairs a rear-mounted electric motor with the 1.3L front-mounted turbo, and during deceleration the system captures kinetic energy and feeds it back into the 15.5 kWh battery (rather than shedding it as heat through the brakes). On open highway, that regenerative loop matters less. In the compression and release of downtown traffic, it's doing real work on every brake application.
Running its 2.0L Hurricane4 through a nine-speed automatic, the GT doesn't recapture energy on deceleration the same way. It's still quick, 0-60 in 6.5 seconds according to Dodge's specifications, and its standard AWD handles the occasional wet-road surprise that September can deliver with a late-afternoon thunderstorm. But its EPA city rating of 21 mpg is the honest number for urban driving, not the 29-mpg highway figure.
The Jeep Compass is the other compact crossover on our lot worth considering if your priorities run toward a slightly longer production run and continued model-year support. Worth a look if the discontinued-nameplate question weighs on you. Our financing team can help structure either vehicle to fit your situation before remaining Hornet inventory clears.
A few things make the R/T a legitimate commuter consideration for a Birmingham downtown drive rather than a lifestyle purchase:
- Dodge lists the R/T's electric-only range at 32 miles, an EPA estimate
- A Level 2 home charger restores that range in approximately 2.5 hours
- The PowerShot feature adds 30 hp for 15 seconds on demand, dropping the 0-60 time to 5.6 seconds
- All-wheel drive is standard on every Hornet trim, GT or R/T
- The 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard, no package required
Match the Trim to How You Actually Drive
How you actually drive should drive the trim choice now, because the Hornet is discontinued and what sits on the lot is what exists, so the right fit depends on your commute pattern rather than on which trim sounds more appealing in a brochure, and your real decision comes down to the trims available today. No refresh, no 2026 to wait on.
If your daily round trip runs under 35 miles, say Homewood or Avondale to a downtown office and back, and you're willing to plug in each night, the R/T PHEV is the more efficient tool for that specific job. The EPA's 77 MPGe combined rating reflects what happens when you run the electric motor consistently, and the 32-mile all-electric range covers that scenario with room to spare. The gas engine stays off. You're running on electrons through Malfunction Junction, past the Five Points South interchange, and into your parking deck.
If your commute runs longer, if you're coming in from the Highway 280 corridor or from the north on I-65 through Gardendale, or if a home charging setup isn't practical, the GT is the cleaner call. The 268 hp from the Hurricane4 turbo is genuinely high for a compact crossover of this size. Standard AWD means you're not paying extra for traction the way you do on some competitors. And a 24 mpg combined EPA rating is workable for a vehicle with this much output.
We'll tell a friend the plain version. Don't buy the R/T if you're not going to plug it in. The PHEV hardware adds weight and complexity, and if the battery runs flat and stays flat, you're running a heavier car on a smaller gas engine. That won't strand you, but it's not what you paid for.
Our service team handles Hornet maintenance through Mopar, and parts availability isn't a concern for years given the shared platform with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, which remains in production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2025 Dodge Hornet still available to buy in September 2026?
Yes. Dodge confirmed in January 2026 that Hornet production has ended permanently, but dealer inventory from the 2025 model year remains available at select dealerships. The Hornet ran from 2023 through 2025. New old-stock units are still being sold through the remainder of 2026 at many CDJR dealers. Contact us directly to check current availability on the lot.
Which 2025 Hornet trim is better for a daily Birmingham commute, the GT or the R/T?
It depends on your roundtrip mileage and whether you can plug in at home. The EPA rates the R/T PHEV at 32 miles of all-electric range, which covers most short downtown Birmingham roundtrips entirely on battery, and at 77 MPGe combined when running on the electric motor. If your commute exceeds 35 miles or home charging isn't practical, the GT's 2.0L Hurricane4 turbo at 24 mpg combined and standard AWD is the more straightforward choice, with 268 hp available from a gas engine that doesn't need a plug. ---