When searching for an eco-conscious car option, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Toyota Prius stand as two suitable contenders, both fighting for the title of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly sedan. While sharing the mission to reduce carbon footprints and embrace eco-friendly driving, these hybrid vehicles have distinct engineering and design differences. If you’re trying to decide between the 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Toyota Prius, stick around. We’ll go over costs, performance, safety, and more below.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Costs
Blue Trim
The starting MSRP of the Blue is $28,250. Among other standard features, this includes six-way driver and four-way passenger seats, a 4.2-inch digital gauge display, USB charging port, a rearview monitor with parking guidance, an 8-inch touch-screen audio display, LED headlights, and LED + bulb taillights.
SEL Trim
The starting MSRP of the SEL trim is $31,600, which comes standard with features such as a six-way driver and power four-way passenger seats, a 10.25-inch touch-screen navigation display, Bose premium audio with 12 speakers, dual USB charging ports, Hyundai digital key, and wireless device charging.
Limited Trim
The starting MSRP of the Limited trim is $36,400, offering even more features standard, such as premium LED headlights, full LED taillights, power eight-way driver and four-way passenger seats, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, an integrated memory system for the driver’s seat and side mirrors.
Toyota Prius Costs
LE Trim
The starting MSRP of the LE is $27,450, coming standard with LED taillights and brake lights, a single-zone climate control system with pollen filtration, a rear dome light, and a cargo area light.
XLE Trim
The XLE starting price is $30,895, and that gets you bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, Smart Key System on front doors and trunk with push-button start, and two front and rear drink holders.
Limited Trim
The starting MSRP for the Limited is $34,465. It comes standard with a power liftback, Digital Key capability, driver’s seat memory function with two settings, heated and ventilated front seats, and optional heated rear seats.
How Far Can It Drive on a Full Charge?
The EPA fuel economy estimates for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid trims are as follows:
- Blue: 50 city, 54 highway, and 52 combined.
- SEL: 45 city, 51 highway, and 47 combined.
- Limited: 45 city, 51 highway, and 47 combined.
You can get an impressive 550-mile range when the 13.2-gallon tank is full.
The EPA fuel economy estimates for the Toyota Prius trims are as follows:
- LE: 57 city, 56 highway, and 57 combined.
- XLE: 52 city, 52 highway, and 52 combined.
- Limited: 52 city, 52 highway, and 52 combined.
With a full 11.3-gallon tank, the Prius will take you 640 miles.
As we see here, both models lose efficiency with their higher trims.
What Has the Better Performance?
Hyundai SONATA Hybrid
All trims come with a four-cylinder 2.0L hybrid engine, 39 kW permanent magnet high-power density motor, 270V Lithium battery, and 16-valve with a dual continuously variable valve timing system. You’ll get a combined 192 system hp, 150 hp at 6,000 rpm, 139 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, 151 lb-ft of electric torque at zero to 1,800 rpm, and an electric power output of 39 kW (51 hp) from 1,800 to 2,300 rpm.
Across all trims, you’ll also get standard front-wheel drive, six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC and paddle shifters, MacPherson struts with coil springs for the front suspension, and an independent multi-link design for the rear. The curb-to-curb turning diameter is 35.9 feet using standard motor-driven power steering.
Toyota Prius
All Prius trims come standard with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, dual overhead camshaft, 16-valve with variable valve timing with intelligence engine, producing 150 hp at 6,000 rpm, 139 lb-ft of torque from 4,400 to 5,200 rpm, and a hybrid system with a net power of 194 hp. The electric motor specs are permanent magnet AC synchronous motor (83 kW, 111 hp) and interior permanent magnet rear motor (30 kW, 40 hp).
All trims come standard with front-wheel drive, electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, independent MacPherson struts for the front suspension with stabilizer bars, and multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bars.
Electric power steering is standard, with the base trim curb-to-curb turning diameter at 34.4 feet, while the XLE and Limited trims manage 35.4 feet.
What Has the Better Design?
Hyundai SONATA Hybrid
The base trim has 16-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels, with the top two trims increasing to 17 inches. All trims have a gloss black grille, rear spoiler, and body-colored exterior mirrors with turn signals. The base trim comes with body-colored door handles, and the SEL and Limited trims come standard with body-colored and chrome door handles.
The interior design is just as impressive. The SEL and Limited trims come standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Limited trim has a leather-wrapped dash, panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch digital gauge display, ambient lighting, and LED interior lighting.
Toyota Prius
The exterior design on all trims comes with an active grille shutter, color-keyed outside door handles, LED daytime running lights with an on/off feature, LED taillights and brake lights, and a roof-mounted shark-fin antenna. The mid-level trim offers an optional fixed glass roof, which is standard on the Limited.
The interior of each trim includes dual sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, a cargo area tonneau cover, and a center console with an armrest and storage compartment. The Limited trim has an optional digital rearview mirror.
What Has More/Better Safety Features?
Hyundai SONATA Hybrid
The SmartSense safety suite is stacked with features available on all trims. These include blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, safe exit warning, and smart cruise control with stop & go. Other safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system, bodyside reinforcements, and advanced dual front airbags with an occupant classification system.
Toyota Prius
All Prius trims come loaded with features such as an engine immobilizer, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, safe exit assist, rear-seat reminder, anti-lock brake system, and hill-start assist control.
Who Came Out on Top?
Looking at all of our answers combined, Hyundai outshines the competition with its all its features and performance. To see for yourself why we feel the Sonata is a better choice, we ask you to check it out for yourself and let us know what you think. Come over to Dublin Hyundai for a test drive today to find the Sonata and our other new inventory waiting to be driven off the lot.
Monochrome Photo of Hybrid Car charging by César Baciero is licensed with Pexels License
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