Used 2021 Toyota Prius for Sale nearIrvine, CA

Compare 2021 Toyota Prius Trims

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

• Starting at $18,783
• 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.

• Avg. market price: $18,783 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 58 city / 53 hwy
• Inventory: 48 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 at a reasonable price.

• Avg. market price: $20,284 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 54 city / 50 hwy
• Inventory: 1,158 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• 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 capability without a significant price increase.

• Avg. market price: $21,860 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 51 city / 47 hwy
• Inventory: 49 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 premium experience with added comfort features.

• Avg. market price: $22,261 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 54 city / 50 hwy
• Inventory: 340 listings
• View XLE FWD listings

XLE AWD-e — "Who It's For"

The XLE AWD-e is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance combined with all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $23,703 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 51 city / 47 hwy
• Inventory: 65 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 a fully loaded Prius with all the luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $22,095 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 54 city / 50 hwy
• Inventory: 172 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LE FWD

With 1,158 active listings, the LE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — L Eco FWD

At $18,783 avg market price — below the lineup median of $21,977 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse L Eco FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — L Eco FWD

The L Eco FWD leads the lineup with an impressive MPG/MPGe of 58/53.

Browse L Eco FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Toyota Prius cost?

Prices have held steady compared to this time last year, signaling a stable and predictable market for this model year.

There are 365 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

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 fits you best if you want a practical, efficiency-first car that keeps hassle, expense, and discomfort low. The overview and expert notes both point to strong reliability, safety, economy, fuel efficiency, and a quiet cabin, while the trade-offs are clear: the design can be polarizing and performance is sluggish.

32.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius reliable?

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

The overview emphasizes reliability as a core strength, and the expert notes reinforce that this is a car built around dependable, low-stress ownership. Its efficiency-first setup and practical hybrid powertrain are aimed at everyday use, not complexity.

The Prius also comes with 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 less about mechanical drama and more about finding a well-kept example that has been maintained consistently.

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

At 72.3% 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 close inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and signs of prior repair. Because this model is valued for efficiency and everyday usability, condition matters a lot: you want a car that still feels tight, quiet, and well cared for. If possible, test the car in mixed driving so you can judge how the hybrid system, brakes, and cabin noise behave in real use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited. The base setup is the most stripped-down, while higher trims add more convenience and tech; the Limited stands apart with its exclusive infotainment system.
• Powertrain: The Prius uses an Atkinson-cycle 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor and an e-CVT. Front-drive models are tuned for efficiency, and AWD-e versions use a rear electric assist motor.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard and 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. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is included on LE and higher trims.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. The Limited gets an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, plus navigation, a 10-speaker JBL system, and natural voice recognition.
• Fuel efficiency: The L Eco is rated at 56 mpg combined, other front-drive models at 52 mpg combined, and AWD-e versions at 49 mpg combined. The 2020 Edition returned 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’s the best-value trim if your priority is maximizing fuel economy above all else.
• LE: This is the smart everyday pick because it adds more convenience while still keeping the Prius’s core efficiency and value intact.
• XLE: Choose this if you want a more upscale-feeling Prius without jumping all the way to the Limited’s unique infotainment setup.
• 2020 Edition: This is mainly for shoppers who want the limited-run appearance package and commemorative details rather than the best value.
• Limited: Buy this if you want the most tech-rich Prius, including the exclusive 11.6-inch touchscreen, JBL audio, navigation, and voice recognition.

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

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

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep buyer’s market.

• Deal availability: 32.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 365 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.3% 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 $21,271 sits slightly above last year's $21,141.

That small increase suggests the Prius has held its value fairly well, which is what you want if you plan to sell later. Stable pricing also points to steady demand rather than a volatile market, so you’re less likely to see sharp swings in what buyers are willing to pay.

Because this model year combines strong efficiency with a reputation for practicality, it should remain appealing to used-car shoppers who want low running costs. 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 IIHS, though it does not yet have a Top Safety Pick rating.

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

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard on every version and 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. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on LE and higher trims.

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.

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:

• 32.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Toyota made Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard across the lineup and added Android Auto standard on most trims.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,162, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,271 average.
• It is a benchmark hybrid with strong versatility and available all-wheel drive.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year setup with standard safety tech across the lineup and stable pricing, the 2021 is the better default choice. If your main goal is saving a little money up front, the 2020 is the sensible alternative, especially if you find one in strong condition.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.