2020 Toyota Prius vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its iconic shape, influenced by aerodynamics to achieve an optimal drag coefficient. Over the years, Toyota refined its styling within these constraints, giving the Prius a more sedan-like appearance while retaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic design remained contemporary, with its most revolutionary aspect being the cabin's unorthodox layout, featuring centrally located instrumentation and gauges. The Prius offered various trim levels, starting with the L Eco, which included standard features like 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims like the XLE and Limited added features such as synthetic leather upholstery, a head-up display, and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as the first BMW in the U.S. with standard front-wheel drive, was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk. It was available in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2 Series Gran Coupe featured visual tricks to balance its proportions, such as large LED headlights and a tapering roofline. Inside, it adhered to BMW's modern design with geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The car offered a premium feel, especially when equipped with packages like the M Sport Package and Premium Package, which added features like leather upholstery and wireless smartphone charging.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It came with front-wheel drive, while an all-wheel-drive variant, the Prius AWD-e, was also available. The Prius offered smooth acceleration, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It featured three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each catering to different driving preferences. The unique shifter design and Engine Braking mode added to its distinct driving experience. The Prius's low center of gravity contributed to its engaging handling, making it ideal for daily commutes.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, specifically the 228i xDrive model, was equipped with a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It featured an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with performance-enhancing technologies like brake-fade compensation and cornering brake control. The 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a spirited driving experience, with a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of six seconds. The M Sport Package enhanced the driving dynamics with M Sport steering, providing a sharp and direct feel. The suspension was firm but kept the car glued to the road, making it enjoyable to drive in various conditions.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its space, with deep door pockets and a large tray area between the front seats for storage. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, offering good headroom and legroom. The rear seats also provided ample space, although taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting. The Prius offered 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, making it one of the most spacious options among hybrid vehicles. Despite its sedan-like design cues, the Prius's hatchback design facilitated easy loading of large items.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two people, with sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats that were snug yet comfortable. However, entry and exit were challenging due to its low-slung design. The rear seats were less accommodating, with limited headroom and legroom. The Gran Coupe featured a traditional trunk with 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a storage compartment under the load floor. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added some utility, but the car lacked the full sportback treatment for enhanced cargo capacity.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, although it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, 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 readouts, with menus accessible via the steering wheel's directional pad.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe featured Live Cockpit Plus with a 5.1-inch display between analog gauges, while the Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro with a fully digital 10.25-inch display. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system used BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options, including voice recognition. The car also had a premium sound system with ten speakers and an optional head-up display.

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

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered advanced driving-assistance systems under the Active Driving Assistant umbrella, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and active blind-spot warning. The lane-keeping assistance system was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, but it missed a Top Safety Pick due to poor headlight ratings and less-than-perfect vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.