Compare the2025 Toyota PriusVS 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. UAOMJ-W8VWV 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/06/27

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.

The Toyota Prius offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

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 and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

	Prius	Sonata Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	163	514
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	33 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	131/151 lbs.	321/341 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	348	356
Neck Injury Risk	25.3%	33%
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	189 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

	Prius	Sonata Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	128 lbs.	234 lbs.
Hip Force	290 lbs.	360 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	50 G’s	60 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	15 inches
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	666 lbs.	780 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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There are over 45 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Prius’ warranty.

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J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

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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:

	Prius	Sonata Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7.1 sec	8.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	18.8 sec	21.4 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.1 sec	9 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4 sec	4.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92 MPH	88 MPH

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On the EPA test cycle the Prius gets better mileage than the Sonata Hybrid:

			MPG
Prius
	FWD	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	57 city/56 hwy
		XLE/Nightshade/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	52 city/52 hwy
	AWD	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/54 hwy
		XLE/Nightshade/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	49 city/50 hwy
Sonata Hybrid
	FWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	44 city/51 hwy

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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.

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The Prius stops shorter than the Sonata Hybrid:

	Prius	Sonata Hybrid
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	131 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Prius XLE/Nightshade/Limited has standard 19-inch wheels. The Sonata Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

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The Prius XLE handles at .88 G’s, while the Sonata Hybrid Limited pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Prius XLE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Sonata Hybrid Limited (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Prius LE’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Sonata Hybrid’s (34.4 feet vs. 35.9 feet). The Prius XLE/Nightshade/Limited’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Sonata Hybrid’s (35.4 feet vs. 35.9 feet).

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The Toyota Prius may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 pounds less than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

The Prius is 1 foot 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.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Prius Limited is quieter than the Sonata Hybrid Limited (32 vs. 35 dB).

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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 rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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.

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Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Prius and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 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 22 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.