Comparing the Toyota Prius and Toyota Corolla Hybrid

In a world where car buyers are beginning to really consider their impact on the environment (apart from their own wallets), hybrid vehicles are becoming more and more popular with each passing year. While these hybrids may not be the be-all & end-all of green, sustainable motoring -- the benefits of such vehicles cannot be underestimated, even if it’s only partially green.

When discussing hybrid production vehicles, we simply can’t ignore Toyota. The Japanese automotive giant is perhaps one of the most successful and dominant forces in the industry when it comes to promoting hybrid cars. Among all of their outgoing (and even historic) models, the Prius is arguably the most prolific hybrid vehicle that Toyota, or even the whole industry, has ever produced.

However, the Toyota Prius (now in its fourth generation) has a rival within its own family tree in the form of the all-new Corolla Hybrid. So which one of these should you bet your money on?

Exterior

When it comes to styling, the Toyota Prius hasn’t exactly won any design awards in all its two-plus decades of green, sustainable existence. While Toyota claims that the all-new Prius is even more refined, economical, and advanced than ever before, there are no such claims regarding its design aesthetics.

The outgoing Prius was launched in 2018, and while it looks sleeker and features sharper angles than its predecessors, no one’s going to be hastily pulling out their phones to take a picture of it. In contrast, the new Corolla Hybrid has a more conventional design that is far less polarizing. At the end of the day, it looks just like any other Corolla that one might see on the road. Therefore, while its design may not be extremely exciting, it certainly won’t offend anyone either.

Interior

If you’re after quirky and unconventional, then the interior design of the new Prius will certainly keep your mind occupied. The centre-biased styling and layout of most of the switchgear and controls may not be to everyone’s taste, but nothing is too complicated to operate. However, the wacky design of the petite gear lever is neither interesting to look at nor does it feel good to use.

In contrast, the cabin of the Corolla Hybrid feels pretty normal and conventional - just like its exterior. So aesthetically and in terms of the general operation of the vehicle, this interior operates as a regular car interior and is very ergonomic and user-friendly. Both these hybrids feel fairly spacious, though the Prius offers more usable space than the Corolla.

Performance

Neither of these cars have been designed to set your pulse soaring and adrenaline pumping. Their primary objective is to be as efficient and green as possible, without compromising too much on motive force. Both the new Toyota Corolla Hybrid and the Prius are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that’s assisted by an electric motor for added torque and reduced fuel consumption.

When it comes to forward propulsion, the Prius and the Corolla Hybrid take approximately 10 seconds to reach 100 km/h. The Corolla can hit a top speed of 190 km/h, whereas the Prius can only manage a maximum of 170 km/h. However, what really matters here is fuel economy: the slower Prius returns 4.4 L/100 km, while the Corolla Hybrid is rated at 4.5 L/100 km.

Verdict

Let’s talk price first. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid starts from AED 83,900 in the UAE, while the Prius range begins at AED 87,000 for the base Eco trim. With the Prius, Toyota revolutionized the way the world looks at hybrid-electric vehicles - a change of perception that was truly necessary.

However, over the decades, automakers have proven that a hybrid can look just like a regular car and still achieve its goals of being fuel-efficient and green without any compromises. Given that the Corolla Hybrid also costs less to purchase, it seems the new Toyota Corolla Hybrid wins this comparison without much fuss.