2021 Toyota Prius vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra, last redesigned in 2017 and restyled in 2019, remained visually unchanged for the 2020 model year. The previous year's restyle introduced a geometric-influenced appearance, setting the stage for the dramatically angular styling of the all-new 2021 Elantra. Available in six versions—SE, SEL, Value Edition, Eco, Limited, and Sport—the Elantra's price ranged from $19,300 to $24,150. The Limited test vehicle, with the Ultimate Package and floor mats, brought the total to $27,630, including the $975 destination charge. The Elantra GT hatchback was also available for 2020. A black paint job highlighted the Elantra’s angular headlight, fog light, and wheel designs, contrasting with the chrome grille, beltline, and logo detailing, resulting in a stylish small car, though not universally appealing.

Inside, the Elantra's restyled exterior was complemented by an updated interior aimed at a more upscale look. Silver trim adorned the air vents, climate control panel, engine start button, steering wheel, and other areas, enhancing the Elantra Limited's appearance. However, the presence of hard and glossy plastic reminded occupants that it was still a mainstream compact car.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, with its boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, had maintained its distinctive look for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius retained its unique styling, which had become ingrained in its identity. However, this design was not universally praised, even in the trendy blacked-out 2020 Edition specification. The interior was equally unconventional, with instrumentation in a strip of displays near the windshield, a toggle lever for transmission controls, and a button for engaging Park. The dashboard wrapped dramatically into the door panels, with an infotainment pod thrust toward the front seat occupants, who sat on either side of a narrow center console. Gloss-black trim attracted dust and fingerprints.

Toyota offered the 2021 Prius in L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited trim levels. An electronic all-wheel-drive (AWD) system (AWD-e) was optional for the LE and XLE, while the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, with different styling, was available in LE, XLE, and Limited trims. Every Prius was a five-door hatchback offering much of the utility of a crossover SUV but without the added ground clearance or rugged looks. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, excluding the $995 destination charge. The Prius 2020 Edition test vehicle, dipped in extra-cost Supersonic Red, totaled $31,295, including destination charges.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured a base 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The CVT, standard with SE trim, contributed to a $1,100 price increase from the previous year. All Elantra models were front-wheel drive. The Elantra Eco model had a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 128 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and an automatic engine start/stop system, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The Elantra Sport trim featured a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, an independent rear suspension, and a seven-speed DCT.

The Elantra Limited test car, with its 2.0-liter engine and new CVT, provided satisfactory performance for most drivers. Hyundai's CVT, dubbed the “Intelligent Variable Transmission,” employed a chain belt and a wide-ratio pulley system for greater efficiency and improved responsiveness. However, real-world testing showed an average of 29.3 mpg, falling short of the expected 34 mpg. The Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride and handling, giving the car an unsettled feeling. The Elantra Sport's independent rear suspension offered a superior ride and more enjoyable driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Prius prioritized fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version averaging 56 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA. Other front-drive Prius models earned a 52 mpg combined rating, while AWD-e models achieved 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition test vehicle averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop. The Prius paired an Atkinson-cycle 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), and either a lithium-ion (FWD) or nickel-metal hydride (AWD-e) battery pack, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower.

The Prius felt lively off the line due to the electric motor's near-instantaneous 120 lb-ft of torque and offered electric-only driving capability at speeds under 25 mph. Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes were available, with the latter adding noise rather than quicker acceleration. The Prius excelled in urban and high-traffic, low-speed driving situations, maximizing efficiency. The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform provided a lower center of gravity and an athletic feel, allowing the Prius to handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm. However, hard acceleration produced powertrain drone, and the 17-inch tires prioritized fuel economy over grip. The handling was predictable, with commendable regenerative braking and a flat cornering attitude.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered roomy accommodations for four adults, with a fifth person squeezed in for short trips. The Limited test car featured power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest. Every Elantra included a front passenger's seat-height adjuster and a dual-zone automatic climate control system with a Clean Air ionizer and automatic defogging system. Heated front seats were available on all but the SE and SEL trims. Interior storage was well-proportioned, and the trunk provided 14.4 cubic feet of space, nearly as much as some midsize sedans. An interior grab handle inside the trunk lid made it easy to swing shut.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, though perceived as a small car, offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather was soft but sticky. The test vehicle had an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Finding a good driving position was easy, but the low seating position made entry and exit more difficult. Ventilated front seats would have been beneficial in warm weather. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim level, with 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the back seat and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The base SE trim had a 5-inch screen, while the SEL trim featured a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Value Edition included a complimentary subscription to Blue Link Connected Car and Remote plans for three years. The Limited trim added wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package increased the touchscreen size to 8 inches and added navigation, Blue Link Guidance service, and SiriusXM data services. The Sport trim offered similar upgrades, packaged differently. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, shortcut buttons, and volume and tuning knobs. The Infinity sound system impressed for a compact car.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Toyota’s Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also standard, with generous free trial subscriptions. The stereo speaker sound quality was poor, and road noise overwhelmed it on the highway. 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 infotainment system. However, this system did not include the Android Auto upgrade. The digital instrumentation displays were dated and lacked technological sophistication.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured Hyundai Smart Sense as standard on all trim levels, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Starting with SEL trim, the Elantra included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited and Sport trims had full LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Ultimate Package added adaptive cruise control, a pedestrian detection system, and Safe Exit Assist. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when equipped with full LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a concern about rear-door intrusion during the side-impact test.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a road-sign recognition system. The LE trim and higher included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, free for the first three years, including automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator function. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 Prius for crashworthiness, but the IIHS gave it favorable marks, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick.