2019 Toyota Prius vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2019 Toyota Prius, despite its remarkable technology and efficiency, was not celebrated for its looks. No one ever gazed at a Prius and proclaimed it a stunning automobile. Yet, it had a unique appeal that made it unmistakable. When the second-generation Prius debuted in 2004, it introduced a distinctive boomerang-shaped profile and a split rear glass hatchback which appealed to early hybrid adopters who wanted to make a statement. However, by the time the fourth-generation Prius was introduced in 2016, hybrids had become far more common, and Toyota seemed to push the design further to the edge. Some argued that this design was detrimental to sales, despite the car's practical appeal as a daily driver.

For 2019, the Prius had a new lineup: L Eco ($23,770), LE ($24,980), XLE ($27,820), and Limited ($32,200). Notably, all-wheel drive (AWD-e) was available as an extra $1,400 for LE trim and $1,000 for XLE trim. The test Prius XLE with AWD came in a new color, Electric Storm Blue, and featured upgrades like an Advanced Technology Package, head-up display, and some accessories, setting the price at $32,146. The interior of the Prius looked quite unusual, with a centralized control layout that, while functional, required an adjustment period. Gloss black interior trim, though aesthetically pleasing, attracted dust easily.

By contrast, the 2020 Toyota Corolla, though not regarded as an icon of beauty, carried an aggressive modern look. The redesigned Corolla, especially in SE or XSE trims, boasted an attractive appearance enhanced by the Celestite paint. The angular headlights and the bold front face could appear controversial but might become familiar with time, much like the Honda Civic. The XSE trim exhibited a marked improvement in perceived interior quality, replacing cheap hard plastics with soft-touch surfaces and non-glistening finishes, lending a more upscale feel. However, the shifter reminded drivers of the Corolla's economy car roots, not matching the solidity of higher-end competitors.

The 2019 Toyota Prius combined a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor generating 121 horsepower. The optional AWD system included a 5-kilowatt rear electric motor and shifted from a lithium-ion to a nickel-metal hydride battery. This rear motor powered the rear wheels up to 6 mph and provided extra traction up to 43 mph. Above that speed, the Prius ran like a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The AWD-e affected fuel economy, lowering it to an EPA estimate of 50 mpg from the standard front-drive model's 52 mpg. During testing, an average of 48.6 mpg was recorded over different driving conditions.

The Prius delivered a pleasant driving experience with good ride quality and decent handling, especially in Power mode. The CVT transmission was mostly unnoticeable except for a bit of rolling after choosing Park. The Prius also featured smooth EV driving under 25 mph, regenerative braking, and a quiet cabin in urban settings. On highways, road noise became more prominent, especially with AWD-e, but overall, the Prius proved to be a no-hassle, fuel-efficient option for daily driving.

In comparison, the 2020 Toyota Corolla offered two engine choices. The base L, LE, and XLE trims had a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower with a CVT and 16-inch wheels. An upgrade to SE or XSE added a 169-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, a sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters, and an option for a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Corolla XSE excelled in driving dynamics with a smooth, stable ride, thanks to the independent rear suspension, and capable handling. However, the engine struggled with acceleration, creating a bit of a downer during lively driving despite performance-oriented qualities.

Fuel efficiency for the Corolla XSE was rated at 31 mpg city, 38 highway, with an average of 34 combined, though the test car averaged 29.8 mpg due to aggressive driving during test conditions.

The 2019 Toyota Prius provided a surprisingly spacious interior, fitting four adults comfortably. The driver's seat offered manual height adjustment; however, the front passenger seat sat high off the floor and had no height adjustment. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were included. Rear passengers had decent space for legs and thighs, but the absence of air conditioning vents made it less comfortable. The Prius's cargo capacity was notable, with up to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.5 cubic feet with seats folded down (62.7 with AWD-e), rivaling many small SUVs.

On the other hand, the 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite being smaller than a Camry, was practical for family use. However, it lacked several comfort features like rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Corolla XSE had a lower seating position, making ingress and egress tricky for some people. Though the interior had good soft cushioning and adequate legroom, headroom was an issue for taller individuals. Storage was limited with small cupholders and few storage cubbies. The trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of space, somewhat comparable to the Prius, but lacked the versatility of a hatchback design.

The 2019 Toyota Prius differentiated its trims by technology offerings. The top-tier Limited trim flaunted an 11.6-inch touch-sensitive display, navigation, premium JBL sound system, and more. The XLE AWD-e tested had a basic setup with a 6.1-inch screen, Bluetooth, and a CD player, though it did include wireless smartphone charging. The technology package promised more than it delivered, and the missing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were notable drawbacks.

In comparison, the 2020 Toyota Corolla came equipped with Toyota's next-gen Entune 3.0 infotainment system, compatible with Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. Entune 3.0 was user-friendly with well-placed controls and an effective voice recognition system. Corolla buyers enjoyed a variety of services and subscription-based features, such as HD Radio, SiriusXM, and numerous connectivity services. Optional wireless charging was a perk for XSE and XLE models, rounding out a tech-savvy offering in comparison to the Prius.

The 2019 Toyota Prius's safety technologies were impressive but trim-dependent. While the Limited trim offered automated Safety Connect features, other trims still enjoyed comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. For added safety, the LE trimmed up offered blind-spot monitoring and parking assist systems. The Prius earned top scores in crash tests, securing a 5-star rating from federal tests and a Top Safety Pick nod from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, consistent across all trims, included the TSS 2.0 suite with enhancements like low-light pedestrian detection and lane tracing assist. Blind-spot monitoring was available (standard on XSE and XLE trims). The system showed impressive accuracy and subtlety during operation. However, the lane departure warning sound was irritating. The Corolla earned a similar recognition in safety, with a 5-star frontal-impact rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.