Hyundai IONIQ vs. Toyota Prius: which is better?
How do these two hybrid hatchbacks compare on MPG, tech, boot space and everyday practicality? Our guide has all the details
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There aren’t many cars with as much appeal as the Hyundai IONIQ and Toyota Prius – they’re very normal-looking and practical saloon-shaped hatchbacks, but they also promise extremely high fuel economy figures.
For many years, the Prius was the default option, but with the launch of the IONIQ, shoppers after a hybrid model have been faced with what could be one of the toughest decisions in the mainstream car market.
There are some really important differences between these cars, both in terms of practicality and the way they drive, so consider these factors carefully before you make a decision.
Does the Hyundai IONIQ or Toyota Prius offer more style?
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Beginning with the similarities, both the Hyundai IONIQ and Toyota Prius are designed to look like saloons – this long shape helps improve aerodynamics, which is important when considering the efficiency of green cars like these.
Having said that, they both have very practical hatchback-style boots rather than the narrow offering you’d usually find on saloons, which makes them far more useable.
Styling is subjective, but we think the IONIQ looks a little more conventional than the Prius because it has a clean and modern exterior that’s more akin to other similar cars.
By comparison, the Prius has a lot of sharp lines and angles, which are evident on the front and back especially.
Is the Toyota Prius or Hyundai IONIQ better to drive?
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Despite both of these cars offering incredibly popular hybrid variants, the way they drive is very different, so pay close attention.
Power is fairly similar – the Toyota has a 1.8-litre petrol-electric system that produces a total system output of 122hp, and the IONIQ has a smaller 1.6-litre offering with a higher system output of 141hp.
The most important difference is how they put their power down because the Toyota Prius uses a CVT, a type of automatic gearbox that doesn’t have gears. Instead, under harsh acceleration the revs climb and sit at a high level until you ease off, then they drop again.
The sound of a CVT can be a bit droney, and it’s better suited to gentle driving.
The Hyundai IONIQ has a dual-clutch automatic transmission, which means it has gears (six to be exact), and the car can change through them pretty quickly. Many manufacturers fit this type of gearbox to performance models, and it’s better if you prefer to drive your hybrid more enthusiastically.
It’s worth noting that both have plug-in hybrid variants, too. It’s the same setup, but they have a bigger battery for more electric-only range.
Newer IONIQ PHEV models have an 8.9kWh battery, while the Prius PHEV has a similar 8.8kWh offering. They should be able to do around 20-30 miles without needing to use the engine.
Finally, the IONIQ also has an electric variant – something that the Prius does without. It’s best to find post-facelift models with the bigger 38.3kWh battery rather than earlier models with a smaller 28kWh battery. The facelift came in 2019.
Hyundai IONIQ vs. Toyota Prius: interior
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The Hyundai IONIQ has a really intuitive interior that, again, is very similar to most conventional cars. It has a simple layout that emphasises comfort and functionality, and most of the focus is on the large central touchscreen infotainment system that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s a far more luxurious car, and even entry-level models are more well-equipped than most other cars’ basic versions, which means you’ll have little reason to want to upgrade unless you fancy luxuries like a heated steering wheel and cooled seats, which come on higher trim levels.
The Toyota Prius has a more futuristic cabin, as evidenced by the quirky gear selector. Because it’s not mechanically connected to the wheels, it returns to the centre almost like a small joystick.
It has a well-thought-out interior and comes with all the basics, but it feels a little more robust than the IONIQ with fewer soft-touch materials. It still gets a big touchscreen, and most models get a reversing camera as standard.
Toyota Prius vs. Hyundai IONIQ: which has more boot space?
Fortunately, both manufacturers quote three figures – the capacity measured up to the parcel shelf (which is a pretty standard measurement), the capacity measured up to the roof, and also the capacity to the roof with the rear seats folded.
This makes comparing very easy, but the IONIQ has the biggest boot in most cases. In hybrid form, it offers 456 litres (to parcel shelf)/563 litres (to roof)/1,518 litres (rear seats down). The Prius has a 343/502/1,558-litre space.
Both lose space for the plug-in hybrid models due to the extra size of the batteries, but the Prius fares much worse. It has a 191/359/1,204-litre space, compared with the IONIQ, which has 341/446/1,401 litres.
Interestingly, the IONIQ Electric has more space than the plug-in hybrid model – 357/462/1,417 litres.
Compare Toyota Prius and Hyundai IONIQ: which is more reliable?
These cars have a lot going for them, and not only are the brands themselves known to be manufacturers of extremely reliable cars, but they’ve also been building hybrids for a lot longer than most other companies. This is reassuring, and there’s already a lot of data to support their longevity.
The Hyundai and previous versions of the Prius come with a five-year warranty, but Toyota changed its policy in 2021 to introduce a shorter three-year warranty, with a catch – a good one.
Service it annually at authorised garages and you can extend it up to 10 years.
Hyundai IONIQ vs. Toyota Prius size and dimensions
There are some differences between the size of these cars, such as the 7cm difference in length, but they generally feel about the same to drive.
The IONIQ is 4,470mm long, 1,820mm wide and 1,450mm tall (1,475mm for the electric model), while the Prius is 4,540mm long, 1,760mm wide and 1,470mm tall.
Used Toyota Prius vs. used Hyundai IONIQ: which should you buy?
The reality is that if you’re after an efficient hybrid, both models should be able to easily achieve 50-60mpg, and more in the case of the plug-in models, so unless you’re after an electric car (the IONIQ is your only option), you’ll still be struggling to pick one.
Consider whether you need a lot of boot space because the difference between the IONIQ and Prius is fairly considerable.
You’ll also want to think about how you drive because if you plan on cruising around to maximise efficiency, the Prius’s CVT appeals, but if you’ve got a bit of a heavy right foot, the IONIQ’s gearbox is probably more appropriate.