Most Hornet-versus-Tiguan write-ups skip the one detail that changes the whole comparison. Dodge discontinued the Hornet in January 2026, and no 2026 model was ever built. So if you're cross-shopping these two today, you're weighing an end-of-production 2025 model against a fully current, actively supported 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan. None of that knocks the Hornet. It's simply the honest starting point for a smart call.
We carry both Dodge and Jeep inventory here at Bay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, so we don't have a horse in this particular race. What follows is what the numbers and the Gulf Coast tell us.
- Dodge Hornet (2025, final year): Standard AWD, 268 hp (GT) or 288 hp PHEV (R/T), 2,000-lb tow rating, EPA-estimated 21/29 mpg (GT). Bold, quick, but no longer in production.
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2026, current): EPA-estimated 26/34 mpg (FWD base), 33.8 cu ft cargo behind rear seats (expands to 69.8 cu ft folded), AWD available on all trims. Longer wheelbase, calmer ride, ongoing production and dealer support.
- Pick the Hornet if you find remaining new inventory, want standard AWD at entry trim, and prioritize acceleration over fuel economy.
- Pick the Tiguan if you want a currently-produced SUV, need cargo room for Gulf Coast life, or put fuel economy first on the Panhandle's long US-98 runs.
- Both have the same peak horsepower (268 hp) at their respective performance trims. The character is completely different.
How Do These Two Actually Stack Up?
On drivetrain, the 2025 Hornet GT gives you all-wheel drive as standard equipment while the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan reserves 4MOTION AWD for trims above the front-drive S base, so the Hornet is the simpler AWD buy and the Tiguan is the more flexible one across its lineup. Down here on the Florida Panhandle, where snow never enters the equation, that distinction carries less weight than it would up north. But if you head out to unpaved beach access roads or the rutted fishing camp tracks along the Apalachicola National Forest perimeter, the Hornet's always-on AWD keeps things simple.
The full comparison lays it out side by side.
| Spec | 2025 Dodge Hornet GT | 2025 Dodge Hornet R/T (PHEV) | 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan (base FWD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 288 hp | 201 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 383 lb-ft | 207 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | AWD standard | AWD standard | FWD standard; 4MOTION AWD available |
| EPA City / Hwy MPG | 21 / 29 | 29 mpg (hybrid mode) | 26 / 34 |
| EV Range | None | 32 miles (electric only) | None |
| Cargo (seats up / folded) | 27 cu ft / 54.7 cu ft | 22.9 cu ft / 50.5 cu ft | 33.8 cu ft / 69.8 cu ft |
| Tow Rating | 2,000 lbs | 2,000 lbs | 1,800 lbs |
| 0-60 mph | 6.5 sec | 5.6 sec | 8.9 sec (est.) |
| Production Status | Discontinued (2025 final year) | Discontinued (2025 final year) | Active (2026 model year) |
| Best For | Performance + AWD simplicity | Short commutes on electric, spirited driving | Cargo, fuel economy, ongoing support |
*EPA estimates from the 2025 Hornet GT (21 city/29 highway) and 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan FWD (26 city/34 highway). Tiguan 4MOTION AWD rated at 22 city/30 highway.*
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Does the Fuel Economy Gap Matter on the Panhandle?
Yes, it matters, but mostly on the gas trims, because US-98 between Panama City and Destin runs about 50 miles one way, and two round trips a week stack the Tiguan's 5-mpg combined edge over the Hornet GT (per EPA estimates) into real savings over a year of driving. The picture flips if you're in a Hornet R/T and plugging in regularly. Its 32-mile EPA electric range covers a solid share of Bay County errand runs without burning a drop of fuel. So if your daily drive stays under 30 miles and you can charge at home or work, the PHEV math leans toward the Hornet on running costs.
The Hornet GT drinks premium fuel on the highway. The Volkswagen Tiguan runs on regular unleaded.
The Tiguan also carries a noticeably longer wheelbase (109.9 inches versus 103.8 for the Hornet). The longer wheelbase gives it a more planted, settled feel on long Panhandle highway miles, the kind where you hold a lane and watch the pine trees roll by.
See the Jeep Grand Cherokee if you want a currently-produced domestic SUV with more cargo room and available V6 or hybrid power.
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Choosing the Right SUV for Where You Actually Drive
Where you actually drive settles this more than any spec sheet does, because the Hornet's discontinued status cuts both ways for Panama City buyers, giving you the last of a quick, AWD-standard nameplate on one hand and raising real questions about long-term support on the other. Find a new 2025 Hornet on a lot today and you're buying the last of the nameplate. Remaining inventory can come with motivated pricing, since dealers want to move end-of-line stock. The flip side is real. Parts availability and long-term service support for a discontinued model deserve a serious conversation, especially on a PHEV powertrain. Dodge has confirmed continued parts and service support for existing owners. But you're not buying into a vehicle that will see future updates or model-year improvements.
The Volkswagen Tiguan, by contrast, is actively produced, refreshed for 2026 with a new top-trim SEL R-Line Turbo option pushing 268 hp, and it leans on Volkswagen's ongoing U.S. dealer and service network.
The practical split for Panama City drivers:
- Coastal families hauling gear (kayaks, coolers, camp chairs for St. Andrews State Park weekends): the Tiguan's larger cargo floor wins, plain and simple.
- Solo or couple commuters with home charging and a short daily drive: the Hornet R/T PHEV's electric range makes strong sense if you can find remaining inventory.
- Anyone prioritizing fuel economy on long Panhandle drives (Pensacola to Panama City runs, regular trips east toward Apalachicola): the Tiguan FWD's EPA 34 mpg highway is the clear answer.
- Buyers who want AWD standard without paying extra for it: the Hornet GT delivers, though you're buying a discontinued model, so plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dodge Hornet still being made in 2026?
No. Dodge confirmed in January 2026 that Hornet production has ended. The 2025 model year was the final one. Production was built in Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy, and was halted due to what Dodge described as "shifts in the policy environment," a reference to import tariffs. Any new Hornet available at a dealership today is remaining 2025 inventory. Dodge has confirmed continued parts supply and service support for existing owners.
Which is better for a family SUV in Panama City, the Hornet or the Tiguan?
For most Gulf Coast families, the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan fits daily life more comfortably. It offers 33.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (versus 27 in the Hornet GT), superior fuel economy (EPA 26 city/34 highway FWD versus 21/29 for the Hornet GT), and it's a currently-produced vehicle with an active model-year cycle. The Hornet is the better pick for drivers who prioritize acceleration and want standard AWD without a trim upgrade, and who can find remaining new inventory. Both seat five.