Compare the2024 Toyota PriusVS 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with Pre-Collision, the Toyota Prius is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

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 Ioniq 5 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.

Both the Prius and the Ioniq 5 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.

The Toyota Prius has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Ioniq 5 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024, though it hasn’t yet been rated in the updated moderate overlap frontal test, a requirement for the “Top Safety Pick Plus” award.

There are over 47 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Prius’ warranty.

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 51 points higher than the Ioniq 5.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 11th.

The Prius stops much shorter than the Ioniq 5:

The Prius Limited handles at .87 G’s, while the Ioniq 5 SEL AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Prius LE’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the Ioniq 5’s (34.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet). The Prius XLE/Limited’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 950 to 1400 pounds less than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The Prius is 7.1 inches shorter in height than the Ioniq 5, making the Prius much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the Toyota Prius amounts to more than styling. The Prius has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is 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 Prius has 1.5 inches more front legroom and .8 inches more front hip room than the Ioniq 5.

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. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Ioniq 5 can only close 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 Ioniq 5’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the Prius’ headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Ioniq 5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Both the Prius and the Ioniq 5 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 Ioniq 5.

Insurance will cost less for the Prius owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Prius will cost $605 less than the Ioniq 5 over a five-year period.

The Prius will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Prius will retain 56.31% to 58.47% of its original price after five years, while the Ioniq 5 only retains 46.72% to 48.8%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Prius will be $12427 to $18036 less than for the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Prius as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 isn't recommended.

The Prius/Prius Prime was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 1 more times in the last 21 years. The Ioniq 5 hasn’t been picked since 2023.

Motor Trend selected the Prius as their 2024 Car of the Year. The Ioniq 5 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Prius as the 2024 North American Car of the Year. The Ioniq 5 has never been chosen.

The Toyota Prius outsold the Hyundai Ioniq 5 by 12% during 2023.