2021 Toyota Prius vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market with its Sensuous Sportiness design language and Parametric surfacing. Its sharp creases and dramatic angles created a distinctive and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to give the Elantra a unique character, breaking conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra's styling improved with higher trims, ranging from SE to Limited, with prices between $19,650 and $25,450. The high-performance Elantra N, expected to cost less than $34,000, was set to debut with serious power and Nurburgring-tuned handling.

Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trims offering a more upscale and high-tech cabin. The Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray was particularly favored for its modern and upscale look, with light gray seats and trim contrasting against the black cabin. The Elantra SEL with the Premium Package, however, had a drab black interior with glossy black plastic that was less appealing.

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design ingrained in its identity since the second-generation model. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued with its distinctive but polarizing look. The interior was equally unconventional, with a strip of displays mounted in the center of the dashboard and a toggle lever for transmission controls. Gloss-black trim attracted dust and fingerprints, adding to the car's quirky aesthetic.

Toyota offered the Prius in various trims, including L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with prices ranging from $24,525 to $32,650. The Prius also came with an optional AWD-e system for the LE and XLE trims. Despite its unconventional design, the Prius provided the utility of a five-door hatchback, offering significant cargo space and practicality.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, from the standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower to the high-performance Elantra N with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 276 horsepower. The Elantra SEL, priced at $25,015, featured a 2.0-liter engine paired with a CVT, delivering 31.4 mpg in combined driving. The Elantra Limited Hybrid, priced at $29,095, used a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and an electric motor, achieving 42.2 mpg. The sporty Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine making 201 horsepower, offered a fun driving experience but fell short of its EPA rating with 23.1 mpg. The high-performance Elantra N, expected to cost around $34,000, provided an exhilarating driving experience with its powerful engine and advanced features.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving 56 mpg in combined driving. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. The electric motor provided instant torque, making the Prius feel lively off the line. The car's TNGA platform contributed to its handling, offering a lower center of gravity and a more athletic feel. However, the Prius was not particularly fun to drive, with lifeless steering and tires designed for fuel economy rather than grip.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a spacious interior with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The Limited Hybrid trim included heated and ventilated front seats. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle were less supportive. The Elantra's trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were drawbacks.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, despite its small exterior, offered a surprisingly spacious interior with room for up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery tended to trap sweat. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, with a maximum volume of 50.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in SE, SEL, and N Line trims, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, though it lost wireless smartphone integration. The Limited Hybrid's voice recognition system was inconsistent, but a new Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key were notable features.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Limited trim added a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. However, the digital instrumentation displays were dated, and the stereo speaker sound quality was poor.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It came standard with SmartSense, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Safety upgrades included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. The LE trim and higher included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard. The Prius received favorable marks from the IIHS but lacked an NHTSA rating for 2021.