2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing. The interior was equally unconventional, featuring a strip of displays mounted in the center of the dashboard, a toggle lever for transmission controls, and a narrow center console. Gloss-black trim attracted dust and fingerprints, adding to the car's quirky aesthetic. The Prius was available in multiple trims, including L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD system for the LE and XLE trims. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days of mimicking the Honda Accord. By the seventh generation, the Sonata had developed a distinctive look with a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. The design was polarizing, but it gave the Sonata a unique identity. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with clear gauges and average material quality. The Limited trim featured leather seats, though the tan upholstery was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches like a body kit, gloss black accents, and unique N-brand sport seats, transforming its look from mild to wild.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg during testing, slightly below EPA estimates. The car paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. While not powerful, the near-instantaneous 120 pound-feet of torque from the electric motor made the Prius feel lively off the line. The car featured Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, as well as an EV Mode for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph. The TNGA platform provided a lower center of gravity, making the Prius surprisingly agile on curvy roads, though hard acceleration resulted in powertrain drone and limited grip from the 17-inch tires.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a split personality in terms of performance. The base engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, providing adequate performance for everyday driving. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, available on the SEL Plus and Limited trims, delivered 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line, however, was a different beast, featuring a 290-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and sport suspension. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the N Line's performance enhancements made it a thrilling option for those seeking a sportier ride. The Sonata offered a smooth ride, competent handling, and a quiet cabin, making it a well-rounded performer.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than one might expect, comfortably seating up to five people. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the low seating position made entry and exit challenging, and the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery tended to trap sweat. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the back seat and up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, classifying it as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Front-seat headroom and legroom were among the best in the segment, though shoulder room was average. The rear seats were comfortable for two adults, but a third passenger would find it cramped. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete set of rolling luggage. The Limited trim featured Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing the car to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button on the key fob, a feature that impressed onlookers.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring stereo-volume and tuning knobs, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Toyota’s Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also standard. However, the sound quality of the stereo was poor, and road noise often overwhelmed it. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. Unfortunately, this system did not support Android Auto.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim. The base SE featured an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, and a rearview camera. The SEL added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Higher trims, including the SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line, upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. The SEL trim also included features like Highway Driving Assist and a panoramic sunroof. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was easy, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

For 2021, the Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 Prius, but the IIHS gave it favorable marks, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came with a comprehensive safety package, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Higher trims added blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assistance, and Safe Exit Assist. The Limited trim featured a blind-spot view monitor, rear park assist, and a surround-view monitor. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Sonata five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave the 2021 model top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front crash prevention.