2025 Toyota Prius vs 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

It’s easy to discount the value of a family sedan with so many crossovers on the road. But the fact is that this body style makes a lot of sense for a lot of families. The more manageable and maneuverable the vehicle, the better for teaching budding young drivers. Lighter weight also translates to better fuel economy, not to be sneered at when there are mouths to feed and tuitions to pay. And your typical midsize sedan is plenty spacious for four.

Fortunately, automakers have not forgotten about the venerable family sedan, keeping one another on their toes with updates, and it’s consumers who stand to benefit from that sort of healthy competition. Now, it’s the 2024 Hyundai Sonata’s turn for a mid-generation refresh.

Verdict: We already liked the Sonata Hybrid, and this refresh only improves it. The styling update and generous standard feature set make it a compelling choice, and the real automatic transmission is a virtually unique selling point.

Decades ago, few cars were anywhere near as fuel efficient as the Toyota Prius. Today, the 2025 Prius remains the fuel economy champion, but numerous alternatives are close behind. Some even offer more interior room at a lower price. That reality, coupled with the Prius’ cramped interior, limited trunk space, and general weirdness, means hybrid car buyers have options. In response, Toyota adds a new Nightshade trim level with a blacked-out look to the 2025 Prius lineup.

Verdict: The point of the 2025 Toyota Prius is fuel economy, but our Prius Nightshade test car averaged 39.2 mpg, falling significantly short of the EPA estimate of 52 mpg in combined driving. That certainly isn’t superior to roomier hybrid cars from Honda, Hyundai, or from within Toyota’s own lineup.