Dodge is preparing to bring some much-needed attitude to the affordable end of its lineup with the upcoming 2028 Dodge GLH, a compact performance machine that could blur the line between hot hatchback and small crossover. According to Car and Driver, the new GLH is expected to effectively replace the Dodge Hornet while taking a far more aggressive approach to styling and performance. Dodge has described the vehicle as a “muscle hatch,” which feels fitting for something expected to combine a relatively low stance, boxy proportions, and more than 300 horsepower. If the production model stays close to that formula, this could become one of the more interesting new Dodge products in years.

The GLH name itself gives Dodge plenty of history to work with. Short for “Goes Like Hell,” GLH originally appeared on the Dodge Omni GLH in the 1980s, when Carroll Shelby helped transform an otherwise ordinary economy hatchback into something unexpectedly entertaining. The new GLH will obviously be a completely different machine, but the basic philosophy sounds familiar. Take a practical, relatively attainable vehicle, give it serious performance, and make sure nobody mistakes it for another anonymous commuter. Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis has suggested that this is essentially the next-generation Hornet done the way the company believes it should have been from the beginning.

Underneath, the 2028 GLH is expected to use Stellantis’ new STLA One architecture. That platform is designed to support internal-combustion, hybrid, and fully electric powertrains while also giving Stellantis more flexibility across several vehicle sizes. For the GLH, however, gasoline power is expected to be the centerpiece at launch. Stellantis has already indicated that a roughly 300-horsepower engine is part of the plan, and the most logical candidate is the new turbocharged 2.0-liter Hurricane 4. In the Jeep Grand Cherokee, that engine produces 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, which is already substantial output before considering how much lighter the GLH should be.

That potential power-to-weight advantage is where things start getting especially interesting. A 300-plus-horsepower engine in a smaller, lower vehicle could make the GLH considerably quicker than the larger Grand Cherokee using the same basic powerplant. A front-wheel-drive configuration could make sense for less expensive versions, while an available all-wheel-drive setup would seem almost inevitable for higher-performance trims. Dodge has also confirmed plans for an SRT version, opening the door to additional output, more serious chassis tuning, bigger brakes, and a more aggressive personality. A hybrid-assisted performance version is technically possible thanks to STLA One’s flexibility, although nothing along those lines has been confirmed.

The bigger opportunity for Dodge may be positioning the GLH somewhere competitors are not quite occupying. Compact crossovers remain enormously popular, but relatively few are designed with genuine enthusiast appeal as a priority. The Toyota RAV4 GR Sport could become one natural comparison because of its 320-horsepower plug-in-hybrid setup, while the GLH’s lower stance and performance focus may also have shoppers looking across the aisle at traditional hot hatches such as the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R. That is an unusual mix of competitors, but it could work in Dodge’s favor. Instead of trying to build another conventional compact SUV, Dodge appears interested in creating something with its own personality.

Getting the price right will be just as important as getting the horsepower right. Car and Driver reports that the GLH could start below $39,000, with speculation that an entry model could potentially land closer to $32,000. An SRT version would likely move into the $40,000 range, depending on equipment and final specifications. Those numbers would give Dodge an opportunity to offer legitimate performance without venturing into the pricing territory occupied by increasingly expensive premium performance vehicles. With average new-vehicle prices hovering near $50,000, a distinctive 300-plus-horsepower Dodge priced comfortably below that threshold could attract buyers who want something entertaining without committing to a much larger monthly payment.

The challenge will be making sure the GLH does not repeat the compromises that limited the Hornet’s appeal. Performance alone will not be enough if the rear seat feels cramped, cargo space is compromised, or the driving experience does not live up to the badge. Dodge needs the GLH to be enjoyable on a winding road while still functioning as the vehicle someone can drive to work, load with groceries, or take on a weekend trip. The STLA One platform is scheduled to begin launching in 2027, and the GLH is expected to follow for the 2028 model year, potentially reaching showrooms in late 2027. If Dodge can deliver the promised performance, keep the price within reach, and capture some of the mischievous spirit of the original Goes Like Hell cars, the 2028 GLH could become the affordable performance Dodge enthusiasts have been waiting for.