2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2019 Toyota Prius

The 2019 Toyota Prius was not known for its aesthetic appeal. Its design, characterized by a boomerang-shaped profile and split rear glass, aimed to make a statement when it first debuted. However, by 2019, the extroverted design seemed to hurt sales more than help. Despite its unconventional looks, the Prius offered a practical solution for daily driving, with a new lineup that included L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited trims. The XLE with AWD, painted in Electric Storm Blue, featured an Advanced Technology Package and various upgrades, bringing its price to $32,146. The interior, though unusual, functioned well, with centralized controls and a glossy black trim that attracted dust.

In contrast, the 2020 BMW 3 Series exuded a more refined and aquatic appearance with its lidded headlights, bulging hood, and wide air intakes. The M340i trim, in particular, was praised for its driving dynamics and luxurious feel. Starting at $40,750 for the base 330i and rising to $56,000 for the M340i with xDrive, the test car's total came to $69,570 with additional options. The interior featured high-quality materials, including off-white Ivory leather and a Tanzanite Blue exterior paint. The 3 Series' interior was both purposeful and luxurious, with a focus on quality and comfort.

The 2019 Toyota Prius combined a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor to produce 121 horsepower. The optional AWD-e system added a 5-kilowatt rear electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery, powering the rear wheels up to 43 mph. The AWD-e system resulted in lower gas mileage, with a standard front-drive Prius achieving 52 mpg in combined driving, while the AWD-e version managed 50 mpg. The Prius featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered a smooth ride with decent handling. The EV driving mode allowed for electric-only operation at speeds under 25 mph, and the blended regenerative brakes recharged the battery. Despite its complex-sounding technology, the Prius was easy to drive and offered a quiet ride in urban environments.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series, particularly the M340i trim, featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The car's engineering package included BMW’s rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, a rear M Sport differential, and massive M Sport brakes. The M340i's 8-speed automatic transmission, while not a manual, provided a launch-controlled 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. The car's handling was enhanced by structural and suspension changes, including variable sport steering and M Adaptive underpinnings. The 3 Series offered a thrilling driving experience, with the automatic transmission and paddle shifters proving effective in real-world driving.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered comfortable seating for four adults, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and heated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed good thigh support and decent legroom, though air conditioning vents were absent. The Prius XLE and Limited trims featured SofTex leatherette upholstery, which could trap sweat in hot weather. The hatchback design provided up to 27.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seat, expandable to 65.5 cubic feet with the seat folded down. The AWD-e version offered slightly less cargo space. The Prius was pitched as an alternative to small crossover SUVs, though it lacked the ground clearance for more challenging terrain.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured supportive front seats with high-quality leather, front-seat heaters, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat entry and exit were somewhat awkward, but the seats provided excellent support and comfort. The car's controls were a mix of traditional and modern, with some hard-to-find functions. The widescreen infotainment system was well-integrated, and the iDrive system was the best version yet. Storage space was generous, with a covered bin for a wireless smartphone charger and a trunk offering 17 cubic feet of space. Despite its deep but narrow trunk, the 3 Series provided ample storage for a family sedan.

The 2019 Toyota Prius Limited trim featured an impressive infotainment system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, navigation, JBL sound system, and more. However, the XLE AWD-e test car had a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and a CD player. The instrumentation was housed in a horizontal strip below the windshield, with some displays appearing outdated. The Advanced Technology Package included a head-up display and adaptive headlights. The Prius lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it did offer wireless smartphone charging.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series boasted a sophisticated iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and gesture control. The system was easy to use, with intuitive menu pathways and a clean design. Gesture control allowed for volume adjustment and radio station changes with simple hand movements. The "Hey, BMW" voice recognition system was highly effective, responding to natural commands for navigation, climate control, and more. The head-up display was visible even with polarized sunglasses, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2019 Toyota Prius Limited trim included Safety Connect services, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, and more. Standard safety features across all trims included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assist. The Prius received a 5-star rating from the federal government and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series required two Driving Assistance option packages to access the latest advanced driving assistance systems. While the systems were accurate, they sometimes lacked smoothness. The lane-keeping assist system was particularly abrupt, reminding drivers to stay engaged. The 3 Series received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.