Enlarge / When is a Dodge not a Dodge? When it’s also an Alfa Romeo, in this case. (credit: Jonathan Gitlin)

ASHEVILLE, N.C.—A day after Dodge revealed the last of its Hemi V8-powered muscle cars, the company also lifted the embargo on driving impressions for its next car, the Hornet crossover. It’s a far cry from the 1,025-hp Challenger—a much more sensible compact crossover that includes a plug-in hybrid version starting at a competitive $40,000. Ars spent a day driving the Hornet around the outskirts of Asheville and found a lot to like about this handsome crossover.

But first, a few words on its origin story.

Last February, the world got its first look at an attractive new crossover from Alfa Romeo. It was given the unfortunate name of Tonale, and more than a few of us raised an eyebrow thanks to the news that the car would include an NFT that acted as a permanent record for the car, from production through lifetime maintenance.