With the current costs of fuel being what they are, many people are turning to hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles in order to save money while at the pump. Toyota’s Prius Prime has been one of North America’s most popular choices for a plug-in hybrid sedan, even as competitors strive to catch up. The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq, another popular plug-in hybrid sedan, offers a great deal but does it measure up to the long reigning Prius Prime? For a better understanding of what each of these cars offers and how the Prius Prime maintains its position at the top of the marketplace, keep reading over our comprehensive comparison guide below.

Cargo and Passenger Space

A good sedan should have ample room not only for your passengers but for any groceries, supplies, or luggage you might have. Both the 2022 Ioniq and the Prius Prime have roomy trunks and seats, but the Prius Prime provides considerably more leg room in the front, headroom, and hip room than the Ioniq. In addition, the front seats of the Prius Prime are better suited to long road trips than those of the Ioniq.

In terms of cargo space, the Prius is impressive, particularly among hatchbacks. The 2022 Prius Prime offers a considerable 36.6 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seat down. The Prius Prime’s lift-over trunk makes it much easier to load and unload, as the lift over height is 26.5 inches. In terms of passenger comfort and cargo space and convenience, the Prius Prime is definitely the top contender.

Plug-In Hybrid Specs

As with any sedan, the specs are important, particularly if you are looking to conserve fuel and save money. Below is a breakdown of the specs for these two plug-in-hybrid sedans:

While the Ioniq does have slightly better mileage, the Prius Prime’s standard CVT means that there are no “steps” between the different gears. This allows the engine to either run at the highest efficiency for fuel economy or to run at top horsepower in order to allow for max acceleration. What’s more, the Prius Prime offers different driver modes to let drivers choose the level of efficiency they prefer: Electric Vehicle (EV) Mode, EV Auto Mode, and Hybrid Vehicle (HV) Mode. The EV Auto Mode will intelligently switch between EV and HV Modes based on driving conditions and demand in order to maximize fuel efficiency. In EV Mode, the Prius Prime has an EPA-estimated EV Mode driving range of 25 miles.

Exterior Styling

Both of these cars boast an urbane aesthetic, but the Prius Prime does allow for more color choices, having eight over the Ioniq’s six. The Prius Prime boasts some other exterior features that set it apart from every other sedan, including the Quad-LED projector headlights and the available option for LED fog lights and accent lights. The rear sports LED-equipped taillights that are more visible and also consume less energy than traditional taillights.

The visually striking rear hatch of the Prius Prime is a part of its overall aerodynamic design and contributes to its impressive fuel efficiency. The hatch is made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (which is a first for Toyota), and it is designed to be rigid while still being lightweight, making it easy to open and close.

Which One Is Right For Me

As you can tell, both of these Plug-In Hybrid sedans have a great deal to offer drivers. However, the 2022 Prius Prime edges out the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq in the categories of passenger comfort and space, cargo room, aerodynamic design and engineering, and exterior styling.

If you would like to know more about the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime, please pay us a visit here at Westbury Toyota so we can answer all your questions!