2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Toyota Prius
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Toyota Prius is 6.2 out of 10, while the 2022 BMW 3 Series scores 8.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 BMW 3 Series is the clear winner, offering superior performance, advanced technology, and a more luxurious driving experience. If you can afford the higher price tag, the BMW 3 Series is the better choice for driving enthusiasts and those seeking a premium vehicle.
Choose the 2022 BMW 3 Series if:
- You seek a thrilling driving experience with powerful performance.
- You value a luxurious, driver-focused interior with advanced technology.
- You want a car with top safety ratings and optional semi-autonomous driving features.
Choose the 2021 Toyota Prius if:
- You prioritize fuel efficiency and want to maximize miles per gallon.
- You need a practical, spacious hatchback with ample cargo space.
- You prefer a car with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features.
Overview | |
MSRP$24,525 | MSRP$41,450 |
Average price$24,080 | Average price$34,522 |
Listings225 | Listings713 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.7 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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2021 Toyota Prius Reviews SummaryTo many people, cars are appliances made to serve a function. These consumers own a car because they need to get from where they are to where they’re going, and with a minimum of hassle, expense, or discomfort. Reliability, efficiency, safety, and economy are the critical deciding factors, and the 2021 Toyota Prius delivers on all fronts. Confusingly, for 2021, the Prius lineup offered a 2020 Edition. Toyota built just 2,020 examples to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first Prius sold in the U.S. market. It has blacked-out trim, black 17-inch wheels, a body-color rear spoiler, and comes in Supersonic Red or new Wind Chill paint colors. Additionally, Toyota improved the 2021 Prius’s driving-assistance systems by making Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard across the board. Android Auto is also standard (joining Apple CarPlay), except for the unique infotainment system in the Prius Limited. | |
2022 BMW 3 Series Reviews SummaryFour years ago, the seventh-generation BMW 3 Series sedan arrived wearing an evolutionary design and a traditionally conservative appearance. While BMW has expanded the lineup to add plug-in hybrid and performance-tuned models and has tweaked the car’s available colors and features, the 2022 3 Series remains essentially the same as it has since 2019. Every 3 Series has the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation with navigation this year, and BMW makes minor changes to the standard and optional equipment lists. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine1.8L 121 hp I4 Hybrid | Engine2.0L 255 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower | Horsepower255 hp @ 5000 rpm |
EV Battery Capacity0.7 kWh | EV Battery Capacity |
MPG City58 | MPG City26 |
MPG Highway53 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name1.8L 121 hp I4 Hybrid | Engine Name2.0L 255 hp I4 |
Torque | Torque295 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm |
Horsepower | Horsepower255 hp @ 5000 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
EV Battery Capacity0.7 kWh | EV Battery Capacity |
MPG City58 | MPG City26 |
MPG Highway53 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemStandard |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space27.4 cu ft | Cargo Space13.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight3010 lbs | Curb Weight3560 lbs |
Height57.9 in | Height56.8 in |
Length180.0 in | Length185.7 in |
Width69.3 in | Width81.4 in |
Wheelbase106.3 in | Wheelbase112.2 in |
Maximum Payload825 lbs | Maximum Payload836 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Toyota Prius is 6.2 out of 10, while the 2022 BMW 3 Series scores 8.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 BMW 3 Series is the clear winner, offering superior performance, advanced technology, and a more luxurious driving experience. If you can afford the higher price tag, the BMW 3 Series is the better choice for driving enthusiasts and those seeking a premium vehicle.
Choose the 2022 BMW 3 Series if:
Shop Now- You seek a thrilling driving experience with powerful performance.
- You value a luxurious, driver-focused interior with advanced technology.
- You want a car with top safety ratings and optional semi-autonomous driving features.
Choose the 2021 Toyota Prius if:
Shop Now- You prioritize fuel efficiency and want to maximize miles per gallon.
- You need a practical, spacious hatchback with ample cargo space.
- You prefer a car with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features.
Overview | ||
MSRP | $24,525 | $41,450 |
Average price | $24,080 | $34,522 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.8 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 6.2 out of 10Read full review | 8.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | To many people, cars are appliances made to serve a function. These consumers own a car because they need to get from where they are to where they’re going, and with a minimum of hassle, expense, or discomfort. Reliability, efficiency, safety, and economy are the critical deciding factors, and the 2021 Toyota Prius delivers on all fronts. Confusingly, for 2021, the Prius lineup offered a 2020 Edition. Toyota built just 2,020 examples to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first Prius sold in the U.S. market. It has blacked-out trim, black 17-inch wheels, a body-color rear spoiler, and comes in Supersonic Red or new Wind Chill paint colors. Additionally, Toyota improved the 2021 Prius’s driving-assistance systems by making Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard across the board. Android Auto is also standard (joining Apple CarPlay), except for the unique infotainment system in the Prius Limited. | Four years ago, the seventh-generation BMW 3 Series sedan arrived wearing an evolutionary design and a traditionally conservative appearance. While BMW has expanded the lineup to add plug-in hybrid and performance-tuned models and has tweaked the car’s available colors and features, the 2022 3 Series remains essentially the same as it has since 2019. Every 3 Series has the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation with navigation this year, and BMW makes minor changes to the standard and optional equipment lists. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 1.8L 121 hp I4 Hybrid | 2.0L 255 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5000 rpm | |
EV Battery Capacity | 0.7 kWh | |
MPG City | 58 | 26 |
MPG Highway | 53 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 1.8L 121 hp I4 Hybrid | 2.0L 255 hp I4 |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm | |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5000 rpm | |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
EV Battery Capacity | 0.7 kWh | |
MPG City | 58 | 26 |
MPG Highway | 53 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 27.4 cu ft | 13.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3010 lbs | 3560 lbs |
Height | 57.9 in | 56.8 in |
Length | 180.0 in | 185.7 in |
Width | 69.3 in | 81.4 in |
Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 112.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 825 lbs | 836 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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, even in the 2020 Edition with its trendy blacked-out trim. 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 wrapped dramatically into the door panels, and the gloss-black trim was a magnet for dust and fingerprints.
In contrast, the 2022 BMW 3 Series, particularly the M340i model, boasted a more traditional yet stylish design. The M340i came with a special-order Barbera Red paint and Cognac-color SensaTec simulated leather upholstery, giving it a luxurious feel. The exterior featured exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline trim, and blue brake calipers, while the interior offered a driver-focused layout with perforated SensaTec upholstery and a trendy Cognac color. The overall design was technical rather than luxurious, aligning with the car's focus on driving enjoyment.
The 2021 Toyota Prius prioritized fuel efficiency over power, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA. Other front-drive models managed 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions achieved 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition, however, averaged 47.5 mpg during testing. The car's powertrain included a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. While this wasn't much for the 3,020-pound vehicle, the near-instantaneous 120 pound-feet of torque from the electric motor provided a lively feel off the line. The Prius also featured Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, as well as an EV Mode for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph.
The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i, on the other hand, offered a thrilling driving experience with its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the M340i to accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. The car also featured M Sport four-wheel ventilated-disc brakes, variable sport steering, and an M Sport suspension, with the test vehicle equipped with an optional Adaptive M Suspension. Despite its performance focus, the M340i managed a respectable 24.9 mpg during testing, just shy of the EPA's 26 mpg combined rating.
The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, comfortably seating up to five people. 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 SofTex synthetic leather upholstery tended to trap sweat. Rear seat passengers had 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 up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down.
The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i provided a more driver-focused interior with power-adjustable front sport seats and a perfect driving position. The rear seats offered enough legroom for four relatively tall passengers, though the center rear seat was less practical. The car came with a three-zone automatic climate control system, and the Premium package added a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. However, ventilated front seats were not available. The 3 Series also offered decent interior storage and a 17 cubic-foot trunk with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.
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, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. However, the sound quality of the standard stereo system 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.
The 2022 BMW 3 Series came standard with Live Cockpit Professional, which included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the digital gauges were not as impressive as Audi's Virtual Cockpit Plus, the iDrive 7.0 system was intuitive and easy to use. The car also featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. Connected Package Pro technology provided BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant for conversational voice recognition. The optional Premium package added a head-up display, though it could be difficult to read with polarized sunglasses.
The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. 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. The Prius received favorable marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick.
The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard, which featured forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driving Assistance package added a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Driving Assistance Professional package included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, evasive-steering assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for semi-autonomous driving. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
By: CarGurus + AI
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