Compare the2023 Toyota PriusVS 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Prius have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Prius has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Prius has 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 Limited offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Elantra Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Prius and the Elantra Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Prius its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 36 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Elantra Hybrid was last a “Top Safety Pick Plus” in 2019 but no longer qualifies.

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.

The battery on the Prius is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Prius’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Elantra Hybrid’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Prius’ reliability 40 points higher than the Elantra Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 13th.

The Prius’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (194 vs. 139) than the Elantra Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Prius’ optional 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 57 more horsepower (196 vs. 139) than the Elantra Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

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 stopping power the Prius AWD-e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Elantra Hybrid:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Prius LE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Elantra Hybrid Blue Sedan. The Prius XLE/Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Prius’ wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Elantra Hybrid (108.3 inches vs. 107.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Prius LE’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Elantra Hybrid’s (34.4 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

The Prius is 3 inches shorter than the Elantra Hybrid, making the Prius easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 .9 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room and 1.2 inches more rear hip room than the Elantra Hybrid.

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.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Prius Limited has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a power trunk.

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. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Elantra Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Prius LE’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Elantra Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Prius XLE/Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The Prius’ LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Elantra Hybrid’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Both the Prius and the Elantra Hybrid offer available heated front seats. The Prius Limited also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Elantra Hybrid.

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’ optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.