Compare the2024 Hyundai Tucson HybridVS 2023 Toyota Prius

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Tucson Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Prius.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tucson Hybrid’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Prius doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tucson Hybrid has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the Prius.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Prius has not been tested, yet.

The Tucson Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Prius’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Prius. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Prius ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Prius’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson Hybrid for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Prius (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fifth.

The Tucson Hybrid’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 32 more horsepower (226 vs. 194) than the Prius’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Tucson Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 30 more horsepower (226 vs. 196) than the Prius’ optional 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Tucson Hybrid’s 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 Prius doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Tucson Hybrid has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Prius AWD’s standard fuel tank (13.7 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tucson Hybrid has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Prius FWD’s standard fuel tank (13.7 vs. 11.3 gallons).

For better stopping power the Tucson Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Prius:

The Tucson Hybrid stops shorter than the Prius:

For better traction, the Tucson Hybrid has larger tires than the Prius (235/65R17 vs. 195/60R17).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Hybrid is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Prius.

The Tucson Hybrid has 16.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Prius (107.9 vs. 91.2).

The Tucson Hybrid has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.1 inches more rear headroom, 6.5 inches more rear legroom, 2.2 inches more rear hip room and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Prius.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Prius’ rear seats don’t recline.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Prius doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tucson Hybrid’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Prius doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Tucson Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Prius has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Prius doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson Hybrid has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Prius (1169 vs. 860 lbs.).

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

The Tucson Hybrid has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Prius has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the XLE/Limited.

The Tucson Hybrid’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Prius doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Tucson Hybrid and the Prius offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Prius doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Prius’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Toyota Prius by almost five to one during 2022.