2020 Prius vs. Ioniq Hybrid Comparison
As the world changes and adapts, so does technology. With a bigger focus on eco-sensitive features, cars today need to go further and do more.
As the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle (first released in Japan in 1997), the Toyota Prius carries with it a long history of fuel-conscious designs. The 2020 Toyota Prius is no exception. The Ioniq Hybrid appeared on the scene 20 years later in 2017.
But the difference in production history isn’t the only separation. Both vehicles have different features in important categories like safety and performance. In this comparison, we explore the Prius vs. Ioniq Hybrid to help you figure out which hybrid is right for you.
With a 4.9-Star Kelley Blue Book® (KBB®) Consumer Reliability Rating and Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) active safety features standard on the Prius, the 2020 Ioniq Hybrid faces stiff competition from the 2020 Prius.
Publish Date: 08/10/2020
Reliability
- Toyota increased its Hybrid Battery Warranty to 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- All leases and purchases of new Toyota Prius sedans include 24/7 roadside assistance for three years and a factory-scheduled maintenance plan called ToyotaCare.
- The 2020 Prius has two AWD-e trims.
Reliability is important no matter what vehicle you're considering. That’s why Toyota remains committed to living the motto of “Quality. Durability. Reliability.”
ToyotaCare, AWD-e, and More
For new 2020 vehicles, Toyota increased its Hybrid Battery Warranty to 10 years, or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Ioniq Hybrid has a 10-year Hybrid/Electric Battery warranty, as well, but it only covers the Ioniq for the first 100,000 miles.
The 2020 Prius ranked third for the KBB® award for Best Hybrid Car Resale Value, while the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is not among the top three.
The 2020 Ioniq Hybrid received a 4.4-Star Consumer Reliability Rating and an overall KBB® Consumer Rating of a 4.3. In contrast, the 2020 Prius received a 4.9-Star Consumer Reliability Rating and an overall KBB® Consumer Rating of a 4.7.
All leases and purchases of new Toyota Prius sedans include a 24/7 roadside assistance and a scheduled maintenance plan called ToyotaCare. You get factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. The roadside assistance coverage lasts for unlimited miles and three years. Ioniq customers also benefit from Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance which lasts for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, and Roadside Assistance for 5 years.
For a better driving experience in many conditions, the Prius now offers two AWD-e trims: the Prius LE AWD-e and the Prius XLE AWD-e. All-wheel drive is not offered for the Ioniq.
Interior
- The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid has a smaller standard 26.5 cu. ft. of cargo space vs. the Toyota Prius L Eco with 27.4 cu. ft. of cargo space.
- The 2020 Prius LE FWD trim includes a compact steel spare tire. All other grades have a tire repair kit. No Ioniq trim includes a spare tire.
- The Prius includes cargo tie downs on all trims and a tonneau cover on the LE and above. No Ioniq Hybrid trims come with cargo tie downs and only the Limited trim includes a rear cargo cover.
A modern hybrid car should have excellent gas mileage, but eco-sensitive sedans should not miss out on crucial quality-of-life and convenience features.
More Standard Features on all Trims
While the base-grade Ioniq Hybrid starts at a lower MSRP than the base Prius trim, most of the Ioniq Hybrid grades miss out on a few crucial interior features that every Prius includes.
For instance, the Prius has available rubber floor mats instead of only offering carpeted mats as with the Ioniq. The Prius also includes a glovebox light and the Prius LE FWD grade includes a compact steel spare tire. All other grades have tire repair kits. Ioniq Hybrid trims lack both of these features. Instead, it includes a “Tire Mobility Kit” and sells a “Spare Tire Kit” separately.
In addition, the Ioniq Hybrid lacks standard cargo tie downs on any trim and a rear cargo cover on any trim below the higher-end 2020 Ioniq Limited. The 2020 Prius includes cargo tie downs on all grades and a tonneau cover on the Prius LE and above.
The 2020 Toyota Prius L Eco also includes 27.4 cu. ft. of cargo space. The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid has a standard 26.5 cu. ft. of cargo space making it the smaller cargo space offering of the two cars.
Every 2020 Prius trim features Apple CarPlay® and Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Siri® Eyes Free. New 2020 Priuses also feature a one-year trial of Safety Connect®.
The comparable Blue Link® Connected Car System from Hyundai is not available on the Ioniq Hybrid Blue.
Safety
- The Ioniq Hybrid Blue and SE trims do not come with comparable features to Toyota’s Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD).
- Toyota comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P).
- Both the 2020 Prius and the 2020 Ioniq Hybrid received a superior IIHS rating. However, the Ioniq Hybrid SE only gets that rating with optional equipment.
Passenger safety and comfort has always been high on Toyota’s list of priorities.
Standard Safety Features
2020 Toyota Prius models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P). This suite of active safety features includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).
In contrast, Hyundai offers Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), and High Beam Assist (HBA).
The Ioniq Hybrid Blue and SE trims do not come with the comparable Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped) or Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go. You’ll have to choose the SEL trim or higher.
All 2020 Prius models except the L Eco also include Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). All trims above the Ioniq Hybrid Blue have a comparable feature called Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW).
When tested for front crash prevention, vehicle-to-vehicle, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the standard equipment of the 2020 Prius a “Superior” rating. The 2020 Ioniq Hybrid received a “Superior with Optional Equipment”, which means the Ioniq only has this rating for the higher-end 2020 Ioniq Hybrid SEL.
Conclusion: Prius vs. Ioniq
- Leases and purchases of new Toyota vehicles include Roadside Assistance] and a scheduled maintenance plan called ToyotaCare.
- All new 2020 Toyota Prius trims come standard with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P). Some comparable features are not available on the Ioniq Hybrid SE and Blue trims.
- The 2020 Prius received a 4.9-Star KBB® Consumer Reliability Rating.
The 2020 Prius continues Toyota's legacy of reliability and safety.
All 2020 Toyota Prius trims come standard with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) which includes Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).
The 2020 Prius received a 4.9-Star KBB® Consumer Reliability Rating and ranked third for the KBB® award for Best Hybrid Car Resale Value. Toyota drivers can also rest easy with the ToyotaCare scheduled maintenance plan and roadside assistance coverage.
Compared to the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, the 2020 Toyota Prius offers Toyota reliability, performance, and includes more standard features across all trims.