Sonata Hybrid v. Prius--- Indecision!

[jpear]

Just discovered this website and joined a few minutes ago. I'm trying to decide which hybrid to buy. Had my heart set on the new Prius but stopped at the Hyundai dealer to take a "look-see" and I discovered the Sonata Hyundai!!!! I was impressed with all the features, specs, comfortable ride, battery type& lifetime warranty, etc. I don't know id i should even bother looking at other brands---don't see how they could compare. The problem for me is the brand. Have been a happy Toyota owner for 40+ years and I lack the confidence to choose a company that doesn't have nearly the track record as Toyota. I keep my cars for at least 10 years so I would benefit from Hyundai battery warranty in this case.
Can someone give me an estimated guess as to the average cost of replacing the battery on a Prius on down the road? What do they cost presently?
Incidentally, I really like the body style of the HSH as compared to the Prius...night & day!
Can anyone provide any additional info to boost my confidence in Hyundai?
I'm ready to buy.
Thanks.

[08EscapeHybrid]

The sonata is much better looking, and they are nice comfortable cars. A friend of mine has a non-hybrid Sonata and it is pretty comfortable. If I had to choose between the two I would choose the Sonata. Another nice one is the Ford Fusion hybrid though.

[Harold]

Chances are you will never have to change a Prius traction battery as they seldom give trouble. If it happens you would be looking at about $2500 installed. Prius is a proven reliable Hybrid and Sonata is new. I would not gamble when a Prius is on my list as I don't believe any other Hybrid comes close. HCH2 or HCH3 may be the closest. Sonata is however a smart looking car and people are buying them for this reason. Looks mean nothing to me! results do! H

[08EscapeHybrid]

With Honda's hybrid battery problems, how can they be close?

[herm]

The cars are not even close to being in the same class in terms of style and luxury. The Prius battery is warrantied for 10 years/150k miles in California, I believe you get the HOV lane sticker with the plug-in version.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

You really need to test the HSH well before buying. Being an assist hybrid, mileage is heavily dependent on how you drive.

I think part of the disappointment people are having with the HSH is that they bought it precisely because it felt more conventional and assumed that they could get good mileage driving it as if it were a conventional car.

[herm]

a lot Sonata Hybrid owners are not getting Prius mileages, if that is important to you

[PaleMelanesian]

What kind of driving do you do? If it's primarily highway, get the Sonata. That's it's strength. The Prius is hands down the best for stop-n-go city driving.

[xcel]

Hi Colin:

The Sonata is a full hybrid just like the Prius but its a different kind of full hybrid

Jpear, welcome to CleanMPG!

Both are excellent choices. Follow PaleMelanesian (Andrew's) lead. The HSH is far more comfortable and far better equipped for similar $'s but it is not the city vehicle most would have hoped for. The Prius can eek out a few more mpg's on the highway and around town, it will eat up every vehicle other than a full electric.

For an 80% or more highway commute, I would choose the HSH or KOH. For a 70/30 or less split, the Prius would get the nod.

Wayne

[ALS]

If your doing a lot of urban driving with lots stop and go traffic the Prius is your car. If your spending time on the road with normal traffic and thirty to forty mile runs then the Sonata is your car. The max time I can stay comfortable on highway drives in my Prius is about four to five hours. If your mainly driving the car around town then the Prius is for you. Mostly highway then go with the Sonata. Don't worry with the Prius battery there are first and second generations with 200K plus miles on the clock and the battery is still running strong.