How much does the 2021 Toyota Prius cost?

Prices are up 3.22% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 325 listings available, which suggests a modest amount of inventory for shoppers to compare.

If you find a listing below $19,747.88, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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.

The Prius is built around efficiency and everyday practicality, and it is presented as a simple, low-stress way to get from Point A to Point B. Its appeal centers on reliability, efficiency, safety, and economy, which makes it especially relevant if you want a car that prioritizes function over flash.

The trade-offs are clear: the design is polarizing, and performance is sluggish. Even so, the Prius still fits well if you value quiet operation, strong fuel economy, and value for money more than driving excitement.

29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still some worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius reliable?

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

The Prius is described as a well-earned reliability play, and its cost-effectiveness case is reinforced by impressive fuel economy, complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 25,000 miles, and generous trial subscriptions to connected services. It is also framed as a dependable, efficient, safe, and practical choice for everyday transportation.

Its hybrid setup is tuned for efficiency rather than excitement, and the car’s long-term ownership appeal depends on how well the hybrid system and related components hold up over time. For used buyers, that makes a careful inspection and service-history review especially important.

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

At 67.4% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in any collision. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs that the hybrid system or safety equipment may have been repaired after damage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited. The base setup is sparse compared with higher trims, while the 2020 Edition adds blacked-out trim, black 17-inch wheels, a body-color rear spoiler, and special paint choices.
• Powertrain: The Prius pairs a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an e-CVT. Front-drive models are tuned for efficiency, while AWD-e versions use a rear electric assist motor and trade some fuel economy for added traction.
• 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 LE and higher trims.
• Infotainment: Every trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. Limited adds an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, navigation, voice recognition, and a 10-speaker JBL system, but it does not get the Android Auto upgrade.
• Fuel efficiency: The L Eco can average 56 mpg combined, other front-drive models are rated at 52 mpg combined, and AWD-e versions are rated at 49 mpg combined. The 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop.

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 one to target if you want the best fuel economy in the lineup. It suits you best if your priority is minimizing fuel stops and keeping ownership costs low.
• LE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday usability while keeping the Prius’s core efficiency mission intact. It also unlocks blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, which makes it a smart step up if you want more convenience and confidence.
• XLE: Choose this if you want a more upscale-feeling Prius without jumping all the way to the top trim. It keeps the Prius formula intact while giving you a more premium ownership experience than the lower trims.
• 2020 Edition: This is the style-focused special edition, limited to 2,020 examples. It is for you if you want the commemorative look and unique appearance details more than maximum practicality.
• Limited: This is the tech-heavy choice, with the larger 11.6-inch touchscreen, JBL audio, navigation, and voice recognition. It makes the most sense if you want the most feature-rich Prius and do not mind the infotainment trade-off noted in the standard system upgrade.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard across the lineup, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert starts on LE and higher.

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

Act selectively, because this is still a seller’s market and the best listings can move quickly.

• Deal availability: 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 325 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.22% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 67.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,747.88, 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 $21,776 sits slightly above last year's $21,096.

That upward move suggests the Prius is holding value reasonably well in the current market. For a future seller, that matters because steady pricing usually reflects ongoing buyer interest, especially for a model known for efficiency and low running costs.

The market also shows enough demand to support resale, but condition will matter a lot. A clean history, strong maintenance records, and a well-kept hybrid system should help you protect value when it is time to sell.

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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the car favorable marks, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard across the lineup.

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

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. If you get a Prius LE or higher, you also get blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

One caveat is that the lane-keeping and lane-centering systems can make the steering feel more artificial, and the lane-departure warning can become intrusive. Even so, the standard safety suite is broad, and the car’s safety setup is a major part of its appeal.

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:

• 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.22% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota made Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard across the board, and Android Auto became standard as well.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,668, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,776 average.
• It is described as a benchmark hybrid with strong versatility and technology.

The bottom line: If you want the newer standard-equipment package and are comfortable paying a bit more, the 2021 is the better all-around pick. If your priority is saving money up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the Prius strengths that matter most.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.