2021 Toyota Prius vs 2020 BMW 2 Series

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a departure from the traditional two-door coupe design, adopting a four-door layout with a sloping roofline. This change aligned with a broader trend among German automakers, where the term "coupe" was redefined to include vehicles with a sleek, tapering roof. Despite this shift, the 2 Series Gran Coupe retained some of the brand's classic design elements, such as the angular twin-kidney grille and swooping headlights reminiscent of the larger 8 Series. However, the rear design struggled to maintain the aesthetic appeal of its two-door counterparts, with awkward window trim and visible pillars. Inside, the Gran Coupe offered 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 featuring a range of standard and optional amenities, including a panoramic sunroof and Mocha Dakota leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Prius maintained its distinctive "boomerang on wheels" styling, a design choice that had become synonymous with the model since its second generation. While the aerodynamic shape was no longer necessary for efficiency, it remained a core part of the Prius's identity. The interior design was unconventional, with a central strip of displays and a dashboard-integrated transmission toggle. Despite its quirky layout, the Prius offered practicality with its five-door hatchback design, providing ample utility akin to a crossover SUV. The Prius was available in multiple trims, with options for electronic all-wheel drive (AWD-e) and a plug-in hybrid variant. The 2020 Edition test vehicle featured blacked-out trim and a Supersonic Red exterior, though it fell short of EPA fuel economy estimates during testing.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, specifically the 228i xDrive model, was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering either front-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive. While the engine delivered solid power for everyday driving, it suffered from noticeable turbo lag, particularly when accelerating from a standstill. The vehicle featured a Drive Mode selector with Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro modes, with Sport mode enhancing the driving experience. However, the Gran Coupe's front-wheel-drive layout lacked the organic feel of the rear-wheel-drive Coupe and Convertible models. Despite minimal body roll, the Gran Coupe struggled to absorb road imperfections, making it less suitable for regions with poor road conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Prius prioritized fuel efficiency over raw power, with its Atkinson-cycle 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 53-kilowatt electric motor. This combination, along with an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), delivered a total system output of 121 horsepower. The Prius excelled in fuel economy, with the L Eco version achieving an EPA-estimated 56 mpg in combined driving. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e variants managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition test vehicle averaged 47.5 mpg, slightly below EPA estimates. The Prius offered various driving modes, including EV Mode for electric-only driving at low speeds, and regenerative braking to maximize efficiency. The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and improved handling, though the Prius's performance remained focused on efficiency rather than driving excitement.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe provided supportive and comfortable front seats, with ample legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, this came at the expense of rear-seat legroom, which was minimal once the front seats were adjusted for average-height 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 offered 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Coupe and Convertible variants also provided above-average cargo space for their class.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, often perceived as a small car, offered surprising interior space with room for up to five passengers. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery could be sticky in warm weather. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat passengers had adequate foot, leg, and headroom, though the absence of air-conditioning vents could be uncomfortable in hot conditions. Cargo space varied by trim, with the rear hatch providing between 24.6 and 27.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring touch functionality and Android Auto. The Gran Coupe also offered wireless Apple CarPlay, enhancing convenience. The test model included a fully-digital instrument panel with customizable navigation display, as well as an available head-up display (HUD). BMW's infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard across all trims. It included stereo-volume and tuning knobs, shortcut buttons, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. However, the sound quality was subpar, and the digital instrumentation displayed dated graphics.

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 via a central dashboard button.

The 2021 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, providing emergency assistance and roadside support. The Prius received favorable ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it lacked a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rating for 2021.