2023 Toyota Prius vs 2022 Hyundai Elantra

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, shedding its previous unremarkable appearance for a bold and striking new look. This redesign gave the Elantra a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette that set it apart from its predecessors. The exterior styling, while reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, had its own unique personality, with distinctive creases and folds on the doors creating a "Z" shape that added character. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw improvements in material quality, offering a slightly above-average experience for the compact car class, despite some hard plastic elements. The Elantra was available in four trim levels in Canada, with the N Line trim adding sporty styling elements and features like N Line brand sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Prius received a complete makeover, finally giving the hybrid a head-turning style that had been missing from the lineup. The new Prius boasted a sleeker exterior with a blend of curves and edges, creating a futuristic look that appealed to a broader audience. The wheels were pushed further into the corners for improved handling, and the car was longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor. The interior featured high-quality materials and a solid build, with a pair of screens mounted beside the driver's seat and a dashboard-mounted infotainment screen. While the cabin prioritized function over form, it remained a comfortable place to spend time. The new Prius was a significant departure from its previous iterations, offering a more appealing and engaging driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with front-wheel drive. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine combined with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trim provided a sportier experience with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in Canada. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and multi-link independent rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine combined with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, producing 196 total horsepower in all-wheel drive models, which were standard in Canada. This marked a significant improvement over the previous model's 121 horsepower. The Prius's fuel economy ratings were impressive, with 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 4.7 on the highway, and 4.8 combined. The new Prius felt more athletic and eager, with improved acceleration and handling. The revised suspension and longer wheelbase contributed to its agile and comfortable ride, while the brakes exhibited minimal squishiness typical of hybrids. Overall, the new Prius offered a more engaging and comfortable driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was designed with practicality in mind, offering a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces. The interior provided excellent outward visibility and comfortable seating, although the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to get in and out. The Elantra's rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults would find more comfort in the front due to the sloped roofline. Cargo space was adequate at 402 litres, with a trunk that could hold a surprising amount of gear despite its narrow opening. However, the lack of USB ports and rear air conditioning vents were minor inconveniences for back-seat passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, despite its larger exterior, had a slightly smaller interior in some dimensions compared to its predecessor. Headroom was reduced due to the sloping roofline, but legroom increased throughout, allowing taller passengers to fit comfortably in the rear seats. The Limited trim featured a fixed glass roof that opened up the cabin, though it did not provide airflow. Cargo space decreased to 575 litres, and rear visibility was somewhat hampered by the loss of the split rear window. The cabin included thoughtful storage solutions, such as a wireless charging pocket and USB-C ports in both front and rear seats. The cargo area featured small underfloor storage cubbies, and a flexible cargo cover was integrated into the rear window.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, especially considering its price point. The base Essential trim came with an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims, such as the Ultimate and N Line, featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The N Line's infotainment system was easy to use, with seamless Apple CarPlay integration, though the six-speaker audio system was only adequate compared to the Bose systems in other Hyundai models.

The 2023 Toyota Prius offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on XLE models, with a larger 12.3-inch screen standard on the Limited trim. The larger screen was responsive and intuitive, though the navigation system required a subscription to Toyota's Drive Connect. All models featured a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, which was somewhat cluttered. The Limited trim included wireless smartphone charging, an 8-speaker JBL audio system, and a digital rearview mirror with a camera washer. The Prius also offered subscription-based connectivity bundles, such as Remote Connect, Safety Connect, and Drive Connect, providing various features and services.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra prioritized safety with a suite of driver-assist technologies. Automatic emergency braking was standard across all trims, while features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning were standard on higher trims. The Elantra received top safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with five stars for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings in all crash tests.

The 2023 Toyota Prius came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure alerts, and Proactive Driving Assist. These features were standard on all Prius models, and the system's functionality impressed during testing. The Prius also included stability control, traction control, and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS awarded the 2023 Prius a Top Safety Pick+ rating, though a rating from the NHTSA was not yet available.