2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2021 Subaru Impreza showcased a more conservative design than its bolder predecessors. It featured sleek headlights and taillights that gave the car an impression of width. Both the sedan and hatchback variants had a nicely tapered front end and subtle scalloping on the body sides. Subaru had rectified the awkward wheel arch sheet metal seen in the previous generation, creating a more refined aesthetic. Specific to the Impreza Sport were the 18-inch alloy wheels, contrasting with the 16-inch steel wheels on the base models. The Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy, Outback, Forester, and Ascent, lent the Impreza a sense of overall refinement.

Inside, the Impreza's design adhered to a typical compact car aesthetic, with a divided dashboard due to the infotainment touchscreen housing. The interior, composed largely of plastic, didn't offer much excitement, but the Sport trim included features like contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals. The top-tier Limited trim came with leather upholstery and LED headlights to elevate the interior experience.

Contrasting sharply with the Impreza, the 2021 Toyota Prius sported a distinctive boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, an identity it had maintained for over 15 years. This unique styling was retained not necessarily for efficiency but because it had become synonymous with the Prius brand. Even in the trendy 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim, the design did not win many accolades.

Inside, the Prius had a dramatically designed dashboard with displays positioned centrally near the windshield. The transmission control featured a toggle lever and a button for Park. The infotainment pod was oriented toward the front seat occupants, separated by a narrow center console. The glossy-black interior trim was a magnet for fingerprints and dust, which detracted from its appeal. Trim levels varied, with options for electronic AWD in the LE and XLE, and the availability of a plug-in hybrid version known as the Prius Prime.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza derived its power from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, generating 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine type, typical of Subaru, allowed for a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. Most models featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), though a five-speed manual was also available for select base and Sport models. The Sport trim included specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the AWD system, balancing ride quality and handling. While it couldn't match the driving engagement of models like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3, the Impreza provided a solid, refined driving experience with balanced handling in the Sport variant. However, the overall power and non-communicative steering left some yearning for more.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Prius prioritized fuel efficiency over traditional performance metrics. The L Eco trim boasted an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving, with other FWD models achieving 52 mpg and AWD-e versions managing 49 mpg. The 2020 Edition test vehicle averaged 47.5 mpg. The Prius combined a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor and either a lithium-ion or nickel-metal hydride battery pack, depending on the drive configuration. The total system output was 121 horsepower with 120 pound-feet of instant torque from the electric motor, suitable for urban driving and brief electric-only operation at speeds below 25 mph.

The Prius offered different driving modes (EV, Eco, Normal, and Power) and regenerative braking to maximize efficiency, particularly in city driving. The TNGA platform provided a low center of gravity and a more athletic feel. However, its tires prioritized fuel economy over grip, and its steering lacked road feel. Despite the drawbacks, the Prius handled predictably and offered a unique fun-to-drive experience centered on achieving optimal fuel efficiency.

Both the sedan and hatchback variants of the 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom, though headroom was slightly below average. The Impreza sedan's trunk space was limited to 12.3 cubic feet, but the hatchback was more accommodating with 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This capacity exceeded competitors like the Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla hatchbacks but fell short of the Honda Civic's cargo area. Added functionality came in the form of roof rails on all hatch trims except the base model, and a standard All-Weather Package on Premium and higher trims, which included heated seats and mirrors. Keyless entry and push-button start were available on Sport trims, with power driver’s seats and automatic climate control on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Prius, while perceived as a small car, offered more interior space than expected. The Prius could comfortably seat five people, though the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery tended to trap sweat. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the low seating position made entry and exit challenging, and the rear seats, though spacious enough for adults, lacked air conditioning vents. Cargo capacity varied: the Prius offered between 24.6 cubic feet and 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 47.9 cubic feet to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The base and Premium trims of the 2021 Subaru Impreza came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, alongside Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, with the Limited trim level featuring optional TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display above the main touchscreen provided additional information, though it felt somewhat redundant. The overall infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy navigation, despite its basic nature.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen common to other Toyota models, with physical knobs and shortcut buttons for ease of use. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Safety Connect and WiFi Connect services were also standard with generous trial periods. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen, JBL premium sound system, and navigation with natural voice recognition, though the system lacked the Android Auto functionality. The dashboard housed digital instrumentation with dated graphics, failing to convey a sense of technological advancement.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza earned high safety ratings, receiving the IIHS “Top Safety Pick” award with “Good” scores in all crash tests. It missed the “Top Safety Pick+” award due to “Marginal” standard headlights, though the Limited trim's headlights were rated “Good.” The NHTSA awarded the Impreza a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite came standard on CVT-equipped models, providing features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. Additional safety options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights.

Similarly, the 2021 Toyota Prius came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) bundle as standard, offering adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services provided features like automatic collision notification and emergency assistance free for the first three years. While the IIHS gave the Prius favorable marks, better headlights and front-passenger protection might boost its rating to a Top Safety Pick. The NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model year at the time.