The End for the Dodge Hornet
The crossover market is highly saturated, and not every model manages to survive in it. During last year’s auto show in Los Angeles, Alfa Romeo presented the updated Tonale, while the expected Dodge Hornet for the 2026 model year was nowhere to be seen. As it turns out, there is a significant reason for this – the model has likely been discontinued.
This is unexpected news, considering that in 2025 the Hornet was Dodge’s second best-selling car. However, sales of the model fell by 54%, to just 9,365 units.
Production has been discontinued “due to changes in the political environment.”
This is significantly less than the figures for the Dodge Durango, which found 81,168 buyers. Although the Hornet outsold the fully electric Charger Daytona (7,421 sales), the result of 9,365 cars is very low for a crossover with a starting price of $29,995.
Official Position and the Brand’s Future
A brand representative confirmed that Hornet production has ended, citing “changes in the political environment.” This wording can be seen as a hint at the influence of tariffs and the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The company stated that it will continue to provide support to owners of this model, including service, warranty coverage, and supply of spare parts.
Fulfilling this promise should not be difficult, as the Hornet is technically almost identical to the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The Tonale model, unlike its American sibling, continues to live on – the updated 2026 version has already debuted and is expected to hit the U.S. market this quarter.
Dodge’s New Priorities
The brand’s future seems to be linked to a return to performance. The company stated that it will focus on its “core muscle lineup with various types of powertrains.” This includes the new Charger R/T and Charger Scat Pack with internal combustion engines. Dodge also mentioned the powerful 710-hp Durango SRT Hellcat and, despite low sales, the electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack, called “the world’s fastest and most powerful muscle car.”
Discontinuing the Hornet leaves Dodge without its only crossover in the American market, which is a bold move in modern conditions. This decision may indicate a deep reorientation of the brand towards its traditional identity – powerful, emotional cars, even if they limit its presence in the most popular segment. The success of this strategy will depend on whether the new Charger and Durango can compensate for lost sales, and whether there will be enough buyers willing to choose a muscle car over a versatile crossover.