Compare

Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Prius

2026 Hyundai Elantra vs 2026 Toyota Prius — two midsize cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Hyundai Elantra

2026 Hyundai Elantra

Midsize CarsHybrid/EV
VS2 – 4Toyota Prius wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota Prius

2026 Toyota Prius

Midsize CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Toyota Prius is more fuel-efficient: 57 vs 54 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $50 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Prius (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Hyundai Elantra is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Prius has had fewer recall campaigns (29 vs 40).

The two cars

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is a midsize car offered with 4 engines (1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,725 lb (4dr Sedan).

The 2026 Toyota Prius is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,098 lb (4dr Liftback).

Buying used? The 2024 Elantra and the 2021 Prius have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 Elantra and the 2015 Prius.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Midsize Cars
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

54 MPG
Best combined MPG
57 MPG
51 city
City / highway MPG (best)
57 city
$1,250
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,200

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
157 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
185.4 in
Length
181.1 in
71.7 in
Width
70.1 in
55.9 in
Height
55.9 in
2,725 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,098 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
11
4
Recalls (2026)
1
40
Recalls, all years since 2005
29
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
10

Interest

22,416
Wikipedia views, 30 days
27,440

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2021
2017
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Hyundai Elantra if…

  • You want more room (4 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the Toyota Prius if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (57 vs 54 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)
  • You need AWD or 4WD
  • You put reliability history first (29 vs 40 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Hyundai Elantra

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 54 MPG combined — 73% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota Prius

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 57 MPG combined — 83% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Hyundai Elantra specs →Full 2026 Toyota Prius specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →