2021 Toyota Prius vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It was positioned as an affordable entry-level BMW, appealing to those aspiring to own a vehicle with the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2021 model year saw the addition of standard equipment, a sport automatic transmission limited to the M Sport Package or M235i, and a new adaptive damping suspension. The test vehicle, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with the M Sport Package, Premium Package, M double-spoke alloy wheels, extra-cost paint, leather upholstery, and wireless smartphone charging, with an MSRP of $48,595.

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its distinctive boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had become synonymous with the model since its second generation in 2004. While the styling was no longer necessary for aerodynamic efficiency, it remained a defining characteristic of the Prius. The interior featured a unique layout with instrumentation in a strip of displays near the windshield and transmission controls on the dashboard. The Prius was available in L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited trims, with an optional electronic all-wheel-drive system for the LE and XLE. The Prius Prime plug-in hybrid offered different styling and trim options. As a five-door hatchback, the Prius provided utility similar to a crossover SUV, with prices ranging from $24,525 to $32,650. The test vehicle, a Prius 2020 Edition, was priced at $31,295, including destination charges.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed a question about the credibility of a front-drive platform under a self-proclaimed "ultimate driving machine." Despite some skepticism, the 228i Gran Coupe, with its 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, offered a performance comparable to the revered Volkswagen GTI. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, equipped with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and AWD, delivered a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of six seconds. The car featured performance-enhancing technology such as brake-fade compensation, cornering brake control, and three driving modes. The M Sport Package added M Sport steering, enhancing the driving experience. The suspension was firm but provided a glued-to-the-road feel, and the car averaged 27.9 mpg on the testing loop, surpassing the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an EPA-rated 56 mpg in combined driving. Other front-drive models earned a 52 mpg rating, while AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop. The Prius combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. The electric motor provided near-instantaneous torque, allowing for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph. The Prius offered Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with regenerative braking to capture energy during deceleration. The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and improved handling, allowing the Prius to handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm. However, the powertrain drone and lack of grip from the tires limited its fun-to-drive factor. The Prius excelled in urban and low-speed driving situations, making it ideal for city commuting.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and limber people, with sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats providing comfort. However, entry and exit were challenging due to the car's low-slung design. The rear seats were cramped, with limited headroom and legroom, and the hard plastic front seatbacks could be uncomfortable. 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 utility, but the car lacked the sportback design of the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery could be sticky. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate room for adults, but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim level, with 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between traditional analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro with a fully digital 10.25-inch display, paired with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system using BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, and connected services, with over-the-air updates. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with multiple control options and responsive software. The car featured a premium sound system with ten speakers, and Gesture Control was available for stereo volume and radio station changes. A full-color head-up display was also included.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. The sound quality of the stereo speakers was lacking, and road noise was significant. 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. The digital instrumentation was housed in a strip at the top of the dashboard, with dated displays and graphics.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature, though the test car did not have this upgrade. The Active Driving Assistant included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the car 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.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The IIHS gave the Prius favorable marks, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to headlight and front-passenger protection issues. The NHTSA did not rate the 2021 model.