Toyota Prius vs Hyundai Elantra

Decades ago, few cars were anywhere near as fuel efficient as the Toyota Prius. Today, the 2025 Prius remains a fuel economy champion, but numerous alternatives are close. Some even offer more interior room at a lower price. That reality, coupled with the cramped interior, limited trunk space, and general weirdness of the Prius, means hybrid car buyers have options.

Verdict: The point of the 2025 Toyota Prius is fuel economy, but our test car averaged 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres, falling significantly short of the Natural Resources Canada estimate of 4.8 L/100 km in combined driving. That certainly isn’t superior to roomier hybrid cars from Honda, Hyundai, or from within Toyota’s own lineup.

For nearly 20 years over six generations, the Elantra established Hyundai as a provider of bottom-rung transportation. Not until the current seventh-generation model debuted in 2020 did the Elantra shed its cheap image and stand competitively with other compact sedans from Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Hyundai always sold on low prices and long feature lists. Now the Elantra is a genuinely sporty, well-constructed car that competes on actual substance — namely, how it drives and feels — and offers a wider range of trim levels. For 2024, a mild refresh brings more style and standard equipment.

Verdict: Get past the strange bodywork and plasticky interior, and you’ll find a well-mannered sedan that is equally adept at being comfortable and economical as it is sporty and truly entertaining.