Compare the2024 Toyota PriusVS 2023 Hyundai Sonata 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 Sonata 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 Sonata 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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Prius and the Sonata Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Prius is much safer than the Sonata Hybrid:

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Sonata Hybrid:

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 Sonata Hybrid was last only a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023 but no longer qualifies.

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 20 points higher than the Sonata Hybrid.

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’ optional 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 4 more horsepower (196 vs. 192) than the Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Prius 2.0 is faster than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Prius gets better mileage than the Sonata 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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Prius stops shorter than the Sonata Hybrid:

The Prius LE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata Hybrid Blue’s standard 65 series tires. The Prius XLE/Limited’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited’s 55 series tires.

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

The Prius Limited AWD-e handles at .86 G’s, while the Sonata Hybrid Limited pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Prius Limited AWD-e executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Sonata Hybrid Limited (27 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Prius LE’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Sonata Hybrid’s (34.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The Prius XLE/Limited’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Sonata Hybrid’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

The Toyota Prius may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 250 pounds less than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

The Prius is 11.8 inches shorter than the Sonata 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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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 Sonata Hybrid’s useful trunk space.

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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The Prius offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 Sonata Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Sonata Hybrid 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 Sonata Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Prius’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited.

Both the Prius and the Sonata 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 Sonata Hybrid.

Insurance will cost less for the Prius owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Prius will cost $665 less than the Sonata Hybrid 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 Sonata Hybrid only retains 49.24% to 50.94%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Prius will be $2517 to $2631 less than for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

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

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 Sonata Hybrid has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

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