2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its iconic aerodynamic shape, reminiscent of a jellybean, which contributed to its optimal drag coefficient. Over the years, Toyota subtly evolved the Prius's design to incorporate sedan-like visual elements while retaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic style, characterized by its central instrumentation and gauges, remained a standout feature, keeping it contemporary despite the industry's advancements. The Prius was available in four trims: L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited, each offering a range of features from basic amenities to advanced technology and unique design elements like the 2020 Edition's dark exterior accents.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, on the other hand, was praised for its striking and elegant design, which was a significant departure from Hyundai's past reputation. The Sonata's sleek fastback profile and sophisticated styling were attributed to the influence of design chief Peter Schreyer and ex-Bentley chief Luc Donckerwolfe. The Sonata Hybrid featured unique design elements such as turbine-style wheels, a redesigned grille, and an optional solar roof. Inside, the Sonata boasted a luxurious interior with high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and advanced technology, making it comparable to more premium brands. The Sonata's transformation was seen as a testament to Hyundai's design evolution.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive and an all-wheel-drive variant, the Prius AWD-e, which utilized a second electric motor for the rear wheels. The Prius provided smooth acceleration and a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It featured three drive modes—EV, Eco, and Power—each catering to different driving preferences. The Prius's unique shifter design and engine braking mode added to its distinct driving experience, while its low center of gravity contributed to its engaging handling and smooth ride.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid utilized a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine running on the Atkinson cycle, paired with a 51-hp electric motor and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer battery, resulting in a total output of 192 hp. The Sonata Hybrid featured a six-speed automatic transmission, providing a more traditional driving feel compared to the CVT found in most hybrids. While the transmission occasionally hesitated, the Sonata Hybrid's silent interior, plush ride, and competent chassis overshadowed this minor issue. The Sonata Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, with the Blue trim achieving 50 mpg city, 54 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined. The SEL and Limited trims offered slightly lower but still impressive fuel economy figures.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its compact platform, offering spacious and comfortable front seats with ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats also provided sufficient space, although taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting. The Prius's hatchback design allowed for 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the model. This made the Prius one of the most versatile options among hybrid and electric vehicles, ideal for carrying large items and luggage.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited trim featured solar panels that contributed to additional driving range and allowed the air conditioning to run on battery power when parked. The Sonata Hybrid offered generous rear-seat legroom, with amenities such as vents, manual side-window shades, and heated seats enhancing passenger comfort. Cargo space was ample at 16 cubic feet, with a convenient trunk release hidden within the "H" logo. The Sonata Hybrid's interior boasted a push-button gear selector, dual-zone climate control, and a range of technology features, including a digital dash and touchscreen options, providing a luxurious and user-friendly experience.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, although it lacked Android Auto support. The Prius's top-center instrument panel displayed hybrid drivetrain status and other critical information, with an available head-up display for added convenience.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's infotainment system on the Limited trim was a standout feature, offering a soothing color scheme and intuitive interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Hyundai Blue Link, allowing remote operation and diagnostics. The Sonata Hybrid also featured a digital key, blind-spot camera feeds, and voice recognition with online search capabilities. The Highway Driving Assist system provided semi-automated driving assistance, while the head-up display offered detailed information, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" accolade from the IIHS, although it fell short of the highest rating due to average scores in certain tests.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in the frontal crash test. The regular Sonata was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top ratings in crash tests and standard emergency forward braking with pedestrian detection. The Sonata Hybrid included standard safety features such as lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear emergency braking. The Limited trim offered additional features like parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist.