2020 BMW 2 Series vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a departure from traditional coupe design, featuring a four-door layout with a sloping roofline. This model joined the established 2 Series lineup, which had been known for its two-door coupe and convertible options since 2014. The Gran Coupe shared its platform with the BMW X1, X2, and Mini models, offering a front-wheel-drive bias, unlike the rear-wheel-drive setup of its coupe and convertible siblings. The exterior design echoed the styling of the larger 8 Series, with modern and athletic front-end features, but the rear design struggled to maintain the same aesthetic appeal. Inside, the Gran Coupe boasted a modern cockpit with solid fit-and-finish, though it lacked the elegance of some competitors. The model was available in various trims, with the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe offering a range of standard and optional features, including a Premium Package and M Sport Package for enhanced comfort and style.

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its iconic shape, optimized for aerodynamics, with a few visual updates to give it a more sedan-like appearance while retaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius continued to showcase a futuristic style, with a cabin defined by its central instrumentation and gauges. Available in multiple trims, the Prius offered a range of standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Higher trims, like the XLE and Limited, added more luxury features such as synthetic leather upholstery, heated seats, and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen. The Prius also celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special edition featuring unique exterior accents. Despite its unconventional design, the Prius provided a spacious and versatile interior, making it a practical choice for those seeking efficiency and functionality.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, specifically the 228i xDrive, was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or xDrive all-wheel drive. While the engine was refined, it suffered from noticeable turbo lag, affecting acceleration from a standstill. The Gran Coupe offered a Drive Mode selector with Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro modes, with Sport mode providing a more engaging driving experience. For those seeking more power, the M235i variant offered 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. The Gran Coupe's steering was sharp and responsive, but its front-wheel-drive layout lacked the natural feel of the rear-wheel-drive Coupe and Convertible models. The ride quality was firm, making it less suitable for rough roads, but it excelled as a commuter car in well-maintained areas.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a hybrid powertrain with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. The Prius offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an all-wheel-drive variant available, known as the Prius AWD-e. This system used a second electric motor to power the rear wheels at speeds up to 43 mph. The Prius provided smooth and confident acceleration, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It offered three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each catering to different driving preferences. The unique shifter design required some adjustment, but it included an Engine Braking mode for added control. The Prius delivered engaging handling, thanks to its low center of gravity, and offered a smooth ride, making it an ideal choice for efficient commuting.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered supportive and comfortable front seats, but rear-seat legroom was limited, especially when the front seats were adjusted for taller occupants. The cockpit layout was straightforward, with easy-to-locate climate controls, though the cupholders and center console were on the smaller side. The Gran Coupe provided 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Coupe and Convertible variants offered slightly less cargo space, with the Convertible's capacity further reduced when the top was lowered.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made excellent use of its space, with deep door pockets and a large tray area between the front seats for added storage. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, offering ample headroom and legroom, while the rear seats also provided generous space. The Prius excelled in cargo capacity, with 50.7 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded and 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the trim. This made the Prius one of the most spacious options among hybrid and electric vehicles, with its hatchback design facilitating easy loading of large items.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen featuring touch functionality and Android Auto. It also offered wireless Apple CarPlay for added convenience. The fully-digital instrument panel displayed navigation and other information, with customization options available. The available head-up display (HUD) provided additional information in the driver's line of sight. BMW's infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with a sensible menu layout, offering Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display (HUD), and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel, a defining feature of the Prius, displayed hybrid drivetrain status and other critical information, with controls accessible via the steering wheel.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a backup camera. Available features included adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The driver-assist systems were seamless and customizable, enhancing safety without being intrusive.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams as standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" accolade from the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest rating due to average scores in certain tests.