Compare the2026 BMW X2VS 2025 Dodge Hornet

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the X2 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Hornet doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW X2 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Hornet doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X2 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Hornet doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the X2 and Hornet have rear cross-traffic warning, but the X2 has Cross Traffic Warning with braking function (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Hornet’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the X2 and the Hornet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The X2 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Hornet’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Hornet’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Hornet.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X2’s reliability 11 points higher than the Hornet.

The X2 M35i xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (312 vs. 268) than the Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the X2 M35i xDrive is faster than the Hornet R/T 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the Hornet running its gasoline engine:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Dodge only offers a regenerative brake system on the Hornet R/T.

The X2 has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X2 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Hornet doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The X2’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Hornet doesn’t offer launch control.

The X2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Hornet are solid, not vented.

The X2 stops much shorter than the Hornet:

For better traction, the X2 has larger tires than the Hornet (245/45R19 vs. 215/60R17). The X2 xDrive28i’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Hornet (245/45R19 vs. 235/40R20).

The X2 xDrive28i’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Hornet GT’s standard 60 series tires. The X2’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Hornet’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X2 xDrive28i has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Hornet GT. The X2’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Hornet.

The X2 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Hornet doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X2’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Hornet (106 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

The X2 M35i xDrive handles at .86 G’s, while the Hornet GT pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X2 M35i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Hornet GT (26.1 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X2 has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (8.1 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the X2 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X2’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Hornet GT (8.1 vs. 8 inches).

The X2 has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Hornet.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X2’s rear seats recline. The Hornet’s rear seats don’t recline.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X2. The Hornet doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The X2’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Hornet doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The X2 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Hornet doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X2 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Hornet doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

When the X2 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Hornet’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X2’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Hornet offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The X2 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Hornet.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X2 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Hornet.

The X2’s Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Hornet’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X2, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Dodge Hornet isn't recommended.