Compare the2022 Toyota PriusVS 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

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 Ioniq 5 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 Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Prius and the Ioniq 5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors 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 Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 162 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Ioniq 5 has not been tested, yet.

There are over 49 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Prius’ warranty.

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 overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 6th.

The Prius’ maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel is 655.4 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Ioniq 5’s range is only 220 to 303 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 18 minutes for only a 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 68 hours.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Prius’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Prius stops shorter than the Ioniq 5:

The Prius LE FWD has a standard space-saver spare (not available on L Eco/XLE/Limited/e-AWD) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Ioniq 5; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Prius Limited handles at .90 G’s, while the Ioniq 5 Limited AWD pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Prius’ turning circle is 5.8 feet tighter than the Ioniq 5’s (33.5 feet vs. 39.3 feet). The Prius Limited/XLE FWD’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the Ioniq 5’s (35.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Toyota Prius may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 1450 pounds less than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The Prius is 5.1 inches narrower than the Ioniq 5, making the Prius easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

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 Ioniq 5 (.288) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Prius get better fuel mileage.

The front step up height for the Prius is 2.5 inches lower than the Ioniq 5 (14.1” vs. 16.6”). The Prius’ rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the Ioniq 5’s (15” vs. 17”).

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 Ioniq 5’s liftover is 30.2 inches.

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 Ioniq 5’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Ioniq 5 SEL/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows 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 Ioniq 5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Prius has a standard rear wiper. The Ioniq 5 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 Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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