The Toyota Prius has been the poster child for hybrids since before most of today’s car buyers had their driver’s license. Twenty-five years later, it’s still setting the bar. But Hyundai’s Elantra Hybrid has entered the chat with a price tag that’s hard to ignore. For 2026, both sedans carry over unchanged, giving shoppers a clear picture of what each brings to the table.

• The 2026 Toyota Prius starts at $28,550 with 194 horsepower and available all-wheel drive, while the Elantra Hybrid begins at $25,450 with 139 horsepower and front-wheel drive only.
• Fuel economy favors the Prius at 57 mpg city/56 highway for the base model, though the Elantra Hybrid’s base Blue trim hits an impressive 54 mpg combined.
• Both hybrids earned five-star NHTSA safety ratings and offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across their lineups.

Power and Performance Tell Different Stories

Under the hood, these two take opposite approaches. The Prius pairs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with dual electric motors, pumping out a combined 194 horsepower through an eCVT. Want all-wheel drive? Toyota will add a third electric motor and bump that output to 196 horses. The setup gets the Prius to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds.

The Elantra Hybrid goes smaller with its 1.6-liter engine and single electric motor, producing 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic handles gear changes instead of a CVT, which some drivers prefer for its more traditional feel. That said, acceleration is noticeably slower at 8.7 seconds to 60. Shoppers cross-shopping these hybrids might also be weighing electric options, especially if they’ve been browsing the used Hyundai EV market for deals on the Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 6.

Fuel Economy Numbers Worth Knowing

Toyota earns its reputation here. The front-drive LE model pulls 57 mpg in the city and 56 on the highway. Adding all-wheel drive drops those figures to 53 and 54 mpg. Higher trims with their bigger wheels settle around 52 mpg combined.

Hyundai’s base Blue trim fights back with 51 city and 58 highway, averaging 54 mpg combined. Move up to the SEL Sport or Limited, and those numbers dip to 50 mpg combined. For buyers focused purely on highway driving, the Elantra actually edges out the Prius on those long stretches.

Inside Space and Cargo Capacity

Space is where the Elantra plays its trump card. With 99.4 cubic feet of passenger volume compared to the Prius’s 91.2, the Hyundai gives rear-seat passengers noticeably more room. Taller adults and teenagers will appreciate the extra legroom and headroom back there. Anyone over six feet might find the Prius’s second row a tight squeeze.

Cargo tells the opposite story. The Prius offers 23.8 cubic feet of trunk space, nearly 10 more than the Elantra Hybrid’s 14.2 cubic feet. If you’re hauling luggage, groceries, or sports gear, that difference adds up quickly.

Tech and Safety Features

Neither car skimps on tech. The Prius gets an eight-inch touchscreen on base models, with the 12.3-inch display reserved for the Limited trim. Wireless smartphone integration and charging come standard on most versions, along with a six-speaker system. Limited models upgrade to JBL premium audio.

Hyundai matches Toyota feature-for-feature with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the lineup. Ventilated seats on higher Elantra trims are a nice bonus you won’t find in the Prius. Safety-wise, both earned five-star NHTSA ratings, and you get automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring on either car.

Styling and Curb Appeal

Remember how ugly the old Prius was? The fifth-generation model finally looks like a car people actually want to be seen in. Gone are the awkward proportions of earlier models. Toyota went aggressive with the wedge shape, LED lighting, and available 19-inch wheels. Want something edgier? The Nightshade edition adds blacked-out trim throughout.

Hyundai took a different approach. The Elantra Hybrid looks almost identical to the regular gas Elantra, which means sharp angles and an athletic stance, but nothing that screams “hybrid” at first glance. Some buyers prefer flying under the radar. Others might wish Hyundai had made the efficient version stand out more.

Should You Wait or Buy Now

Your decision comes down to priorities. On paper, the Prius wins on performance, gas mileage, cargo space, and styling. Toyota’s reliability reputation and available all-wheel drive sweeten the deal for drivers in snowy climates.

But that $3,100 price gap matters. The Elantra Hybrid gives you more passenger room, a 10-year powertrain warranty, and solid fuel economy while keeping more cash in your pocket. Commuters who want savings and back-seat space will find a lot to like here.

Both are solid choices. The Prius is the better car. The Elantra Hybrid is the better deal.