Compare the2022 Toyota PriusVS 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

The Toyota Prius has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Prius has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Prius offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Prius LE/XLE/Limited has standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the Prius and the Elantra Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Acceptable” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Prius the rating of “Top Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 162 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Elantra Hybrid has not been tested, yet.

There are over 50 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Prius’ warranty.

The Elantra Hybrid’s redline is at 6750 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Prius has a 4000 RPM redline.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 7th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Hyundai is ranked 6th.

On the EPA test cycle the Prius gets better mileage than the Elantra Hybrid:

The Prius has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Prius’ turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Elantra Hybrid’s (33.5 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

The Prius is 4.1 inches shorter than the Elantra Hybrid, making the Prius easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Toyota Prius amounts to more than styling. The Prius has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Elantra Hybrid (.28) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Prius get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Prius uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Prius has .1 inches more rear headroom and 1.4 inches more rear hip room than the Elantra Hybrid.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Prius easier. The Prius’ trunk lift-over height is 26.5 inches, while the Elantra Hybrid’s liftover is 28.4 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Prius’ hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Elantra Hybrid’s useful trunk space.

The Prius’ standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Elantra Hybrid’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Prius (except L/LE) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Prius’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Elantra Hybrid’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Prius the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (Your Toyota service department must activate this window function.) The driver of the Elantra Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Prius’ power window, power lock and power mirror switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Elantra Hybrid’s passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Prius XLE FWD/Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Elantra Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Prius has a standard rear wiper. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Prius (except L/LE) offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

On extremely cold winter days, the Prius XLE/Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Prius LE/XLE/Limited’s Intelligent Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Toyota Prius has won recognition from these important consumer publications: