Used 2021 Toyota Prius for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2021 Toyota Prius Trims in Chicago, IL

The 2021 Toyota Prius offers a range of trims with varying features and price points, making it a versatile choice for eco-conscious drivers.

• Starting at $15,495
• Best MPG/MPGe: 58 city / 53 hwy
• Most Popular: LE FWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

L Eco FWD — "Who It's For"

The L Eco FWD is the pick for shoppers who want the best value without paying for extra features. It's ideal for budget-conscious buyers.

• Avg. market price: $16,236 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 58 city / 53 hwy
• Inventory: 9 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View L Eco FWD listings

LE FWD — "Who It's For"

The LE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded package with popular features without stepping up to the higher trims. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $16,978 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 54 city / 50 hwy
• Inventory: 65 listings
• View LE FWD listings

LE AWD-e — "Who It's For"

The LE AWD-e is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without a significant price increase. It's a great option for those in colder climates.

• Avg. market price: $16,236 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 51 city / 47 hwy
• Inventory: 6 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View LE AWD-e listings

XLE FWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of luxury and practicality without going fully loaded. It offers a nice balance of features.

• Avg. market price: $16,236 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 54 city / 50 hwy
• Inventory: 27 listings
• View XLE FWD listings

XLE AWD-e — "Who It's For"

The XLE AWD-e is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features with all-wheel drive. It's perfect for those who need extra traction in various conditions.

• Avg. market price: $15,495 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 51 city / 47 hwy
• Inventory: 10 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View XLE AWD-e listings

Limited FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited FWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most features and luxury in the Prius lineup. It's ideal for those who want a fully loaded experience.

• Avg. market price: $16,236 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 54 city / 50 hwy
• Inventory: 19 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LE FWD

With 65 active listings, the LE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — XLE AWD-e

At $15,495 avg market price — below the lineup median of $16,236 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse XLE AWD-e listings

Best for Fuel Economy — L Eco FWD

The L Eco FWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 58/53 MPG/MPGe.

Browse L Eco FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Toyota Prius cost?

Prices are up 3.39% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 350 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Prius earns a 5/5 user rating and a 6.17/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

It is built around efficiency and everyday practicality, and it is especially appealing if you want a low-hassle, low-expense, and low-discomfort way to handle routine transportation. The trade-offs are a potentially polarizing design and sluggish performance, so it fits you best if you value function over driving excitement.

33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Prius is described as a cost-effective form of transportation with a well-earned reputation for reliability, and its appeal is reinforced by strong efficiency and practical everyday use. Toyota also includes complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 25,000 miles, which helps reduce early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that hybrid ownership can still bring higher repair complexity than a conventional car if major components age out.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota Prius?

At 70.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a careful inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and any signs of prior repair. Because this model is often bought for efficiency and low running costs, condition matters just as much as mileage. Pay close attention to how the car drives, how the cabin electronics behave, and whether the safety and infotainment features work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited. The base trim is the most stripped-down choice, while higher trims add more convenience and equipment. The Limited stands out for its exclusive 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, and the 2020 Edition adds blacked-out trim, black 17-inch wheels, a body-color rear spoiler, and special paint colors.
• Powertrain: The Prius pairs an Atkinson-cycle 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor and an e-CVT. Front-drive models are tuned for efficiency, with the L Eco rated at 56 mpg combined and other front-drive versions at 52 mpg combined. AWD-e models use a rear electric assist motor and are rated at 49 mpg combined.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard on every version and includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is included on the LE and higher trims.
• Infotainment: Most trims get a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. The Limited upgrades to an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, plus navigation, a natural voice recognition system, and a 10-speaker JBL audio system, but it does not get the Android Auto upgrade.
• Fuel efficiency: The L Eco is rated at 56 mpg combined, other front-drive models at 52 mpg combined, and AWD-e models at 49 mpg combined. In testing, the Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg.

Which 2021 Toyota Prius trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Prius is offered in 5 trim levels: L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited.

Here's the short version:

• L Eco: This is the efficiency-first choice, and it is the best-value trim if your priority is maximizing fuel economy. It delivers the strongest EPA combined rating and keeps the Prius focused on low running costs.
• LE: This is the trim to target if you want the best balance of value and equipment. It adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, making it a smart step up for everyday use.
• XLE: Choose this if you want more comfort and convenience than the LE while staying within the mainstream part of the lineup. It keeps the Prius’s core efficiency and practicality intact.
• 2020 Edition: This is the style-focused special edition. It adds blacked-out trim, black 17-inch wheels, a body-color rear spoiler, and unique paint choices, so it suits you if you want something more distinctive.
• Limited: This is the most feature-rich trim, with the exclusive 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, JBL audio, navigation, and natural voice recognition. It is the right pick if you want the most upscale Prius experience, though it loses Android Auto on that unique system.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard across the lineup, and blind-spot monitoring starts on the LE and higher trims.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota Prius?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting deep discounts everywhere.

• Deal availability: 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 350 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.39% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 70.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,732, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Prius's resale value?

The current average of $21,584 sits slightly above last year's $20,875.

That upward move suggests the Prius is holding demand well, which can help support resale strength if you buy carefully and keep the car in good condition. The narrow gap between the year-round low and high also points to a fairly stable pricing band rather than a volatile market.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius safe?

The 2021 Toyota Prius earns favorable marks from the IIHS, though it has not been rated by NHTSA.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard on every trim and includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the LE and higher trims.

One caveat is that the lane-keeping and lane-centering systems can make the steering feel artificial, and the lane-departure warning can become intrusive.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Prius or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 70.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.39% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard across the board, and Android Auto is standard on most trims.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,574, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,584 average.
• It remains a long-running hybrid benchmark with strong versatility and standard advanced safety features.

The bottom line: If you want the most current version of this generation with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 and broad tech coverage, the 2021 is the better default choice. If you are focused on shaving a little money off the purchase price, the 2020 is the sensible alternative, especially if you find one in strong condition.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.