2022 Audi A4 vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing. The 2020 Edition, with its blacked-out trim, did little to improve its aesthetic appeal. Inside, the Prius featured a unique and somewhat awkward layout, with instrumentation placed in a strip of displays near the windshield and unconventional transmission controls. The dashboard design, with its dramatic wrap into the door panels and a protruding infotainment pod, added to the unconventional feel. Gloss-black trim, while stylish, was a magnet for dust and fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2022 Audi A4 presented a simple, clean, and conservative exterior that served as a perfect canvas for its Tango Red paint and Black Optic package detailing. The classic five-arm rotor-design wheels added a touch of automotive design perfection. Inside, the A4 maintained a similar aesthetic restraint, with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel, and ambient interior lighting. The black interior was offset by aluminum trim and metallic accents, avoiding a cave-like feel. The only downside was the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system, which seemed like an afterthought rather than an integrated part of the design.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. However, the Prius 2020 Edition fell short of these estimates, averaging 47.5 mpg on the testing loop. The Prius combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. This setup provided near-instantaneous 120 pound-feet of torque, making the Prius feel lively off the line. The car offered various driving modes, including EV Mode for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph, and Eco, Normal, and Power modes to balance efficiency and responsiveness. The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and a more athletic feel, allowing the Prius to handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm. However, hard acceleration resulted in powertrain drone, and the steering lacked road feel.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro Ultra AWD. This setup achieved an EPA rating of 29 mpg in combined driving and accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A4 45 TFSI, with 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, offered a sportier experience, reaching 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and averaging 27 mpg. Both engines required premium gas and offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual. The A4 45 TFSI test car averaged 24.8 mpg and provided a refined driving experience with excellent tire grip, solid braking performance, and a quiet cabin. The steering, while not exceptional, was adequate, and the car's structure and suspension conveyed a rock-solid sensation over various road conditions.

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 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 more challenging. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim level, ranging from 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 2022 Audi A4, sitting low to the ground, was also challenging to enter and exit, with small door openings and a snug cabin. However, once inside, the A4 offered exceptional comfort in the front seats, which featured soft leather, power adjustment, and a thigh-support cushion. The three-zone automatic climate control system was user-friendly and separate from the infotainment screen. The rear seats, while supportive and heated, were less spacious and best suited for shorter trips. Interior storage was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster, leaving little room for other items. The A4’s 13 cubic-foot trunk was well-finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets, providing ample space for luggage.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons to main-function menus. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Toyota’s Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. However, the stereo speaker sound quality was poor, and road noise often overwhelmed it. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, a navigation system, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system. Unfortunately, this system did not support Android Auto. The digital instrumentation, housed in a strip at the top of the dashboard, featured dated graphics.

The 2022 Audi A4 introduced the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common smartphone functions and provided acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect connected services, a navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was intuitive and easy to use, with a Home button for quick access to the main menu. The voice recognition technology was accurate but slow to respond. The climate controls were separate from the touchscreen, and the car included a knob for stereo volume and radio tuning. The Bang & Olufsen stereo offered excellent sound quality, though it could degrade at high volumes. The test car also featured a head-up display, which was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a road-sign recognition system. Higher trims added a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator function. The Prius received favorable marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) but lacked a crashworthiness rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Audi A4 stair-stepped its safety features based on trim level. The top-of-the-line Prestige model included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a safe exit warning system, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist. The Matrix-design LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation provided excellent visibility. The driver assistance tech was effective and non-intrusive, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally required driver intervention. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.