Car FYI's 2024 Canadian Automotive Guide: Dodge

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada

2024 Product Lineup: Durango, Hornet

Overall Brand Impression: 

2024 for the Dodge brand features a contrast for its image. Dodge loses two modern icons (the Charger and the Challenger) but gains focus and promise for the future. While an electrified performance coupe is eagerly anticipated, a taste of this aggression can now be obtained through the recently introduced Dodge Hornet that drops its plug-in hybrid variant in 2024. The dependable Durango sport utility vehicle carries the brand’s reputation for everyday versatility with a health dose of sportiness and luxury.

What’s New for 2024: 

Last year, the Hornet compact crossover became the first all-new product to be added to the Dodge lineup since the unsuccessful Dart in 2013. For 2024, the awaited plug-in hybrid model of the Hornet debuts using the R/T badge in a historically significant way. The first time that Dodge’s Road/Track branding is being applied to a hybrid or electrified production vehicle, the 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV features the maximum momentum of 288 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque but can also be driven up to 53 kilometers in an all-electric mode. 

The new R/T and GT trim levels of the Hornet are both offered in Plus variants. Plus versions of the compact crossover includes leather seating, eight-way power front seats, Harmon Kardon sound system and sunroof. 

While the Charger and Challenger have been discontinued for 2024, the seven-passenger Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle is now the sole guardian of the HEMI V8 powerplant. For at least one more year, both the 5.7-liter and the 6.2-liter displacement capacity HEMI engines are offered with the 2024 Durango. Beyond the 360-horsepower HEMI powerplant included in the R/T or optional with the Citadel trim, the 470-horsepower SRT 392 and the supercharged 710-horsepower SRT Hellcat can be selected. The potent 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque is also a formidable source of performance for the Dodge Durango at an affordable price.

For all 2024 Dodge Durango models, Blind Spot Monitoring is now standard equipment. The new year for the Durango also involves added availability of the Tow N Go package. Along with the Durango R/T AWD, the HEMI V8-equipped versions of the Durango Citadel can now gain a top speed increase to 233 kilometers per hour (145 miles per hour), electronic limited slip differential and a towing capacity rated at 8,700 pounds with the Tow N Go package. 

Highlight Models for 2024:

Photo Credit: Stellantis

Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV ($54,035 Canadian including government rebates): New for 2024, the Dodge Horner R/T PHEV provides the criteria to check off many boxes for both the utility-minded and performance-minded driver. 

The Dodge brand’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle, the 2024 Hornet R/T PHEV is well defined by its powertrain. This new vehicle model features turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine combines with a 90-kW electric induction motor supplying an ample level of momentum. Maximum combined power output with the electric/gasoline powertrain is 288 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. 

Electric power can be used in two ways with the 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV. As expected with a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a driver can firstly commute up to 53 kilometers on fully electric propulsion with the energy stored in 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery before shifting to the gasoline range extender. The second way the Hornet R/T PHEV benefits from electric power are more akin to what a driver expects from a product wearing Dodge’s Road/Track branding. An on-demand PowerShot delivers an extra 30 horsepower drivers can use to boost the internal combustion engine. During acceleration, PowerShot can cut 1.5 seconds off a 0 to 100 kilometer per hour run resulting in a 5.6-second sprint. 

With fuel economy measured at 8.1 liters per 100 kilometers in combined city/highway driving, the 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV features a styling and sophisticated standard equipment package that includes 18-inch Graphite Grey wheels, Brembo front braking, 12.3-inch customizable instrument cluster and 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment screen.

Photo Credit: Stellantis

Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat ($117,351 Canadian for 2023 model): With the Challenger and Charger gone for 2024, the flag bearer of HEMI performance with Dodge is now found with the Durango utility vehicle lineup. The top-rated Durango SRT Hellcat is a surviving remnant of what is likely to be a soon departing time in automotive power. 

Generating 710 horsepower, the Durango SRT Hellcat’s 6.2 liter HEMI engine is married with a twin-scroll supercharger incorporating an integrated electronic bypass valve, a dedicated cooling circuit and the aid of a cool-air scoop. The supercharged HEMI powerplant combined an eight-speed automatic transmission allows the sport utility vehicle to run a quarter-mile in a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-certified time of 11.5 seconds. Top speed for the most powerful HEMI-engined Durango is rated at 180 miles per hour (290 kilometers per hour). 

The most curious case of the 2024 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is how high performance engineering is mated with awesome practicality. With three rows of seating for up to six passengers, the cabin of the Durango SRT Hellcat includes an Uconnect 5 NAV system with a10.1-inch center touchscreen display, heated front and second row seating, three-zone climate control and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system as standard equipment.