Hornet vs Rogue
This is a classic rivalry: the Hornet against the Rogue, Dodge against Nissan, both in compact suv territory. The two pull in different directions. The Hornet is built around engine & performance, while the Rogue is stronger on fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Hornet wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Rogue wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance2.3
- Fuel Economy & Range0.5
- Engine & Performance0.9
- Fuel Economy & Range7.1
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Rogue has better fuel economy
The Rogue’s 33 mpg leaves the Hornet’s 24 mpg well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
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The Hornet has 67 hp more power
Not a close call. The Hornet lists 268 hp and the Rogue lists 201 hp. That’s a substantial gap. The Hornet’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The Hornet has 70 lb-ft more torque
Among all the differences on this page, 295 lb-ft against 225 lb-ft is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Hornet. The Hornet’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
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The Rogue has better city fuel economy
The Hornet gives up a lot on fuel economy (city): 21 mpg, compared with 30 mpg on the Rogue. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Rogue starts from a better baseline.
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The Rogue has better highway fuel economy
Few buyers will miss this one. The Rogue brings 37 mpg to the table; the Hornet brings 29 mpg. The Rogue uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
Hornet leads
For engine & performance, the verdict is easy: the Hornet leads, and not by a little. The Hornet scores with 67 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. Bottom line for engine & performance: the Hornet has the edge.
Total system output
Hornet: 268 hp Rogue: 201 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Torque
Hornet: 295 lb-ft Rogue: 225 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
Rogue leads
The Hornet is outclassed on fuel economy & range; the Rogue leads by a clear margin. The Rogue makes its case with better fuel economy. The Rogue uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. On fuel economy & range alone, the Rogue gets the nod.
Fuel economy (combined)
Hornet: 24 mpg Rogue: 33 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (city)
Hornet: 21 mpg Rogue: 30 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Both the Hornet and the Rogue cover space & practicality equally well on paper. Treat space & practicality as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
If off-road & towing matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Don’t let off-road & towing decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Safety & Tech
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the Hornet and the Rogue row by row in the table below.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Hornet | Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 1.5L turbo I3 (VC-Turbo) |
| Total system output | 268 hp (winner) | 201 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft (winner) | 225 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | CVT |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Hornet | Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 24 mpg | 33 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 21 mpg Thirstiest in the city | 30 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 29 mpg | 37 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Hornet | Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 36.5 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | N/A (not specified) | 74.1 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Hornet | Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 2,000 lb | N/A (not specified) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Hornet | Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Hornet if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (268 hp vs 201 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (295 lb-ft vs 225 lb-ft of torque)
- you prefer staying with Dodge
Choose the Rogue if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (33 mpg vs 24 mpg combined)
- you want better city fuel economy (30 mpg vs 21 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (37 mpg vs 29 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Hornet or the Rogue?
It depends on your priorities: the Hornet is stronger on engine & performance, while the Rogue leads on fuel economy & range.
Executive Summary
Here’s the short version of how I’d choose between the Hornet and the Rogue. I think the Hornet makes its strongest case with 67 hp more power. Where the Rogue fights back is better fuel economy.
Who should get which? The Hornet for engine & performance, the Rogue for fuel economy & range.
My pick: the Hornet for anyone focused on engine & performance, the Rogue for anyone focused on fuel economy & range.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.