Compare the2022 Toyota Prius PrimeVS 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Toyota Prius Prime 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 Kona Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Prius Prime Limited has standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Prius Prime 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 Kona Electric doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the Prius Prime and the Kona Electric 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.

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 Prime’s warranty.

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 Prime running on electricity gets better mileage than the Kona Electric (145 city/121 hwy vs. 132 city/108 hwy MPGe).

The Prius Prime’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 652 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Kona Electric’s range is only 258 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 47 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 9 hours and 15 minutes.

The Prius Prime stops much shorter than the Kona Electric:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Prius Prime’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (106.3 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Prius Prime’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Kona Electric’s (33.4 feet vs. 34.8 feet).

The Toyota Prius Prime may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Hyundai Kona Electric.

The design of the Toyota Prius Prime amounts to more than styling. The Prius Prime has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .25 Cd. That is lower than the Kona Electric (.28) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Prius Prime get better fuel mileage.

The Prius Prime has 1.7 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more front hip room than the Kona Electric.

The Prius Prime has a larger cargo volume than the Kona Electric with its rear seat up (19.8 vs. 19.2 cubic feet).

The Prius Prime’s 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 Kona Electric’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Kona Electric’s optional power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Prius Prime 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 Kona Electric can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Prius Prime’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Kona Electric’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Prius Prime 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 Kona Electric doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Prius Prime will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Prius Prime will retain 46.7% to 46.86% of its original price after five years, while the Kona Electric only retains 36.2% to 36.85%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Prius Prime will be $10926 to $13228 less than for the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Prius Prime as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.