2020 Toyota Prius vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its iconic shape, reminiscent of a jellybean, which was designed for optimal aerodynamics. Over the years, Toyota subtly evolved the Prius's design to incorporate sedan-like elements while retaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic style, with its central instrumentation and gauges, continued to stand out, even as other manufacturers adopted similar design cues. The interior was defined by its unorthodox layout, which had been a hallmark of the Prius for over two decades. The Prius offered various trim levels, starting with the L Eco, which included features like 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims like the XLE and Limited added more luxurious features, such as synthetic leather upholstery and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, on the other hand, was a bold departure from conventional compact sedan design. It featured Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language, characterized by sharp creases and dramatic angles. The Elantra's unique Z-shaped dent in the doors was a controversial yet distinctive design element. The Elantra came in several trims, including SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, with a hybrid powertrain option available for the SEL and Limited. The interior of the Elantra was driver-focused, with a dashboard and center console angled towards the driver. The Limited trim offered a more upscale experience with features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 64-color ambient lighting system. The Elantra's interior was modern and spacious, with best-in-class rear-seat legroom and a trunk capacity of 14.2 cubic feet.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower. It offered both front-wheel drive and an all-wheel-drive variant, the Prius AWD-e, which used a second electric motor for the rear wheels. The Prius provided smooth acceleration, especially at lower speeds, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It featured three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each offering different performance characteristics. The Prius's unique shifter design and engine braking mode added to its distinct driving experience. While not a sports car, the Prius offered engaging handling and a smooth ride, making it ideal for daily commutes.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a hybrid variant with a 1.6-liter engine and electric motor producing 139 horsepower. The Elantra N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower, while the high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 276 horsepower. The Elantra's driving experience varied across trims, with the standard models offering a comfortable ride and the N Line and N models providing sporty performance. The Elantra Hybrid impressed with its instant electric torque and efficient fuel economy, although it fell short of EPA estimates in mountainous driving conditions. The Elantra N delivered exhilarating performance with its powerful engine, precise steering, and advanced suspension system.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its interior space, offering spacious and comfortable front seats with ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats also provided plenty of space, although taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting. The Prius's cargo capacity was impressive, with 50.7 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded and 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the trim. The hatchback design made loading and unloading items easy, enhancing the Prius's versatility.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offering a roomy interior with a height-adjustable driver's seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The Elantra's rear seat provided best-in-class legroom, although the backrest shape and angle could be improved for better support. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Elantra's interior featured useful storage solutions, including dual-stage adjustable cupholders and a hands-free trunk lid release on some versions.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, although it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also featured a top-center instrument panel displaying hybrid drivetrain status and other critical information. The available head-up display (HUD) provided additional convenience for drivers.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on SE, SEL, and N Line trims. The Limited trim featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, both housed under a single piece of glass. The Elantra's infotainment system included a dynamic voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. The available Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key added to the Elantra's technological appeal.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" accolade from the IIHS, although it fell short of the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured Hyundai's SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver attention warning system. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Warning. The Elantra offered safety-related upgrades like cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Hyundai's Level 2 ADAS, Highway Drive Assist, which provided smooth and accurate assistance.