2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2023 BMW X7

The 2023 BMW X7 underwent a significant mid-cycle makeover, drawing inspiration from the redesigned BMW 7 Series sedan. The most noticeable change was at the front, where LED accent lights replaced the previous headlights, which were now tucked underneath. The oversized kidney grille remained a polarizing feature, and the new styling was expected to be equally controversial. BMW aimed for a bolder design, achieving a more imposing presence, though some felt it came at the expense of grace and cohesiveness. The interior received a refresh with a curved glass housing for the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen, along with a more elemental dashboard design. Interior materials were of high quality, with supple leather upholstery and a new Sensafin synthetic substitute. The X7's interior revisions gave it a modern and elegant appearance, despite mixed opinions on the exterior restyle.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased its Dodge DNA with muscle-car styling cues, including a wide "raccoon mask" face, bulging hood, and dual extractors. The illuminated Rhombi logo and taillights spanning the vehicle's width added to its distinctive look. From the side and rear, the Hornet resembled a Porsche Macan or Cayenne, which felt more premium due to its Alfa Romeo Tonale roots. The choice of standard silver 17-inch wheels was divisive, with some finding them cheap-looking, while others appreciated their design. The Blacktop package offered 18-inch black alloy wheels, and the Track Pack added 20-inch wheels and performance enhancements. The Hornet continued Dodge's "High Impact Paint" tradition with seven fun exterior color options. Inside, the Hornet featured performance-inspired elements like red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, with various seating options available depending on the trim.

The 2023 BMW X7 lineup began with the base xDrive40i model, featuring a new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed the X7 to reach 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The X7 M60i model upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with a similar hybrid system, delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 handled well on the road, with potent acceleration from the V8. The base six-cylinder was adequate for most drivers, though not as smooth. Handling was limited by the X7's weight and ride height, but it remained composed and instilled confidence. The ride was slightly firmer compared to other luxury SUVs, reflecting BMW's focus on driver engagement.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted "best-in-class performance" with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This power output surpassed most competitors, with only the Mazda CX-30 coming close. The Hornet's base model emitted a low, menacing rumble, drawing attention from passersby. Sport mode enhanced throttle response, steering, and upshifts, achieving a zero-to-60 time of 6.5 seconds. The base Hornet GT was peppy from a standstill, though there was a noticeable lag when accelerating from cruising speeds. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain improved pickup pace. Overall, the Hornet offered impressive performance for its class, with options for further enhancements through the Track Pack or Direct Connection parts.

The 2023 BMW X7 offered ample space, with the second-row seats accommodating taller passengers and a large sunroof enhancing the airy feel. Accessing the third row required some time as the power-operated middle row moved, but it provided a large opening. The third row could hold average-sized adults, though thigh support was limited. Behind the third row, there were 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 48.6 cubic feet with the third row stowed and 90.4 cubic feet with the middle seats folded. The X7 featured a split tailgate and a button to lower the suspension for easier loading. Front-seat passengers had adequate storage space, with a large covered bin, wireless charging pad, and well-sized cupholders.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's GT Plus-trim featured comfortable leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and two memory settings. The Track Pack offered Alcantara seats with similar features. The cockpit layout was driver-oriented, with screen positioning favoring the driver. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar angle occasionally obstructed the view. The front passenger seat matched the driver's for adjustability, though without memory function. Both seats were heated and ventilated in the GT Plus trim, with heated seats available in the Cold Weather package for the GT. The Hornet's interior design emphasized performance-inspired elements, with a focus on driver comfort and convenience.

The 2023 BMW X7 featured the latest iDrive infotainment system, which was a step backward in some ways. Basic functions like temperature adjustments and audio controls were easy to use, but many physical buttons were eliminated, requiring navigation through the infotainment screen for features like heated seats and adaptive cruise control. Voice commands were available but took time to process and interrupted audio. While voice controls were useful for navigation and texting, more physical buttons and intuitive menus were desired for frequently used features.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's cockpit emphasized the driver, with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster larger than the center display. The center stack and physical controls for basic functions were angled toward the driver. Advanced features like seat warmers were accessible through the touchscreen, anchored to the top of the display. The Uconnect 5 system was intuitive and easy to use, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The GT Plus trim included a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, dual-phone Bluetooth connectivity, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. Navigation was available in the GT Plus trim, though there was a minor issue with verbal instructions persisting after ending a route.

The 2023 BMW X7 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure warning, adaptive headlights, and parking sensors. The M60i trim added a surround-view camera system, with options for adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward cross-traffic alerts, and a semi-automated parking function. The highway driving assist feature reduced driver fatigue on long trips, and all safety features performed reliably without false alarms.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came standard with advanced driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, a rear backup camera, and a rear park-assist system. The Tech Pack added a surround-view camera, driver-attention monitoring, and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities, including lane-centering and intelligent adaptive cruise control. The Hornet had not been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA, and the Alfa Romeo Tonale, on which it was based, was also too new for ratings.