2021 Lexus IS vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement about its driver with its athletic proportions and great stance. Its design captured motion even while standing still, exuding elegance with a well-measured distance between the front axle and dashboard. The fast roofline and the kick-up of the window base at the back of the passenger door added to its sporty and compact look. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive squint. Inside, the dash was tastefully simple, with a retro hi-fi feel to the center stack. The interior matched the exterior with bold, assertive choices and a modern aesthetic, though the analog clock felt outdated.

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design ingrained into its identity since 2004. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius stuck to its unique styling, which was not universally appreciated. The interior was equally unconventional, with instrumentation in a strip of displays near the windshield and a toggle lever for transmission controls. The dashboard wrapped dramatically into the door panels, and the infotainment pod was thrust toward the front seat occupants. Gloss-black trim attracted dust and fingerprints, adding to the interior's oddity.

The 2021 Lexus IS was developed with a focus on delivering a luxury sports sedan experience. It introduced the "Lexus Driving Signature," emphasizing linear operation faithful to the driver's intentions. The IS 300 RWD featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD had a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The IS 350 models, both AWD and RWD, used the same V6 but tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RWD models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS had a top speed of 143 mph, with 0-60 mph times ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 21/31/25 mpg, the IS 300 AWD at 19/26/22 mpg, the IS 350 RWD at 20/28/23 mpg, and the IS 350 AWD at 19/26/22 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Prius prioritized fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving 56 mpg combined according to the EPA. Other FWD models earned a 52 mpg combined rating, while AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop. It paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. The electric motor's 120 pound-feet of torque helped the Prius feel lively off the line. The Prius offered Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with regenerative braking to capture energy during deceleration. The TNGA platform provided a lower center of gravity and an athletic feel, though hard acceleration produced powertrain drone, and the steering lacked road feel. The Prius excelled in urban and low-speed driving situations, making it ideal for daily commuting.

The 2021 Lexus IS offered a driver-centered focus with a comfortable, supportive seat and easily adjustable driver position. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat, standard in IS 350 models, included heating and ventilation. The IS used perforated NuLuxe fabric, a synthetic upholstery that mimicked leather. Storage space was ample, with an open cubby, twin cupholders, big door pockets, a decent glovebox, and an under-armrest compartment. The second row was comfortable for two but cramped for three, with legroom negotiable with front-seat occupants. Trunk space was adequate at 10.8 cubic feet, with a temporary spare stored beneath the trunk’s load floor.

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

The 2021 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The touchpad remained but was no longer the default option. Lexus Enform services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi, and Remote, with various trial periods. The Navigation Package included Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system was a recommended option, offering superb sound quality and a CD player.

The 2021 Toyota Prius had a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also standard. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, though it lacked Android Auto. The digital instrumentation had dated graphics and did not convey technological sophistication.

The 2021 Lexus IS had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA but was expected to perform well based on the previous generation. It came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, LED lights, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with a three-year trial.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, with 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 standard with a three-year trial. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 Prius, but the IIHS gave it favorable marks, though it did not achieve a Top Safety Pick.