2021 Toyota Prius vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2021 Toyota Prius
2021 Toyota Prius
$24,525MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Prius
$24,525MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Toyota Prius is 6.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class scores 8.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the clear winner, offering superior luxury, performance, and technology. If you seek a premium driving experience with cutting-edge features, the S-Class is the better choice.

Overview

MSRP

$24,525

MSRP

$111,100

Average price

$23,796

Average price

$81,440

Listings

250

Listings

333
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

6.2 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Quiet cabin
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Sluggish performance
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great ride quality
  • Premium interior materials
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • No getting around the high price tag

2021 Toyota Prius Reviews 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.

2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reviews Summary

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a full-size four-door luxury sedan with a 48-volt mild hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, including a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gas engine (S500) or twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 (S580), with EQ Boost, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD). The S500 starts at $111,100; the S580 starts at $117,700. The EPA estimates the S500 can achieve fuel economy of up to 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, while the S580 is rated at 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined.
No video found
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Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.8L 121 hp I4 Hybrid

Engine

3.0L 429 hp I6

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

Horsepower

429 hp @ 6100 rpm

EV Battery Capacity

0.7 kWh

EV Battery Capacity

MPG City

58

MPG City

21

MPG Highway

53

MPG Highway

30
2021 Toyota Prius
2021 Toyota Prius
$24,525MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Prius
$24,525MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Toyota Prius is 6.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class scores 8.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the clear winner, offering superior luxury, performance, and technology. If you seek a premium driving experience with cutting-edge features, the S-Class is the better choice.

Overview
MSRP
$24,525
$111,100
Average price
$23,796
$81,440
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.8
4.8
Expert reviews

6.2 out of 10

Read full review

8.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Quiet cabin
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Sluggish performance
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great ride quality
  • Premium interior materials
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • No getting around the high price tag
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.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a full-size four-door luxury sedan with a 48-volt mild hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, including a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gas engine (S500) or twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 (S580), with EQ Boost, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD). The S500 starts at $111,100; the S580 starts at $117,700. The EPA estimates the S500 can achieve fuel economy of up to 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, while the S580 is rated at 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
1.8L 121 hp I4 Hybrid
3.0L 429 hp I6
Drive Train
FWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
429 hp @ 6100 rpm
EV Battery Capacity
0.7 kWh
MPG City
58
21
MPG Highway
53
30
Look and feel
2021 Toyota Prius
5/10
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
9/10

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 debut in 2004. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to embrace its unique styling, which many found unappealing. The interior was equally unconventional, featuring a central strip of displays near the windshield, a dashboard-mounted toggle lever for transmission control, and a narrow center console. Gloss-black trim, prone to dust and fingerprints, added to the car's quirky aesthetic. The Prius was available in multiple trims, including L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD-e system for the LE and XLE trims. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class maintained its sleek and elegant design, a continuation of the previous year's complete makeover. The S-Class, rooted in a rich history dating back to the 1954 "Ponton" models, represented the pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz's sedan lineup. The seventh-generation S-Class, code-named "W223," was available in S500 and S580 variants, with no plans for additional body styles. The exterior was defined by its extended, low profile and a long distance between the front axle and dashboard, exuding elegance. The interior featured a waterfall of open-pore wood trim, a 12.8-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, all crafted with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail.

Performance
2021 Toyota Prius
5/10
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
8/10

The 2021 Toyota Prius prioritized fuel efficiency over raw power. The L Eco version achieved an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving, while other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, and AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition, however, averaged 47.5 mpg during testing. The car's powertrain combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. Despite its modest power, the Prius felt lively off the line due to the electric motor's 120 pound-feet of torque. The car featured Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, as well as an EV Mode for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph. The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform contributed to the Prius's lower center of gravity and improved handling, making it surprisingly agile on curvy roads.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, particularly the S500 model, featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine with EQ Boost, adding up to 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the engine's 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The S580 model boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine with the same EQ Boost system. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite their weight, the S500 and S580 were quick, with 0-60 mph times of 4.9 and 4.4 seconds, respectively. The S500 achieved fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, while the S580 managed 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined. The S-Class's handling was smooth and responsive, making it suitable for both weekday commutes and weekend drives.

Form and function
2021 Toyota Prius
6/10
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
9/10

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. However, the low seating position made entry and exit challenging. Rear passengers had adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled in providing a luxurious and spacious cabin. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof, while the 13.8-cubic-foot trunk offered ample storage. The cabin featured six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the second row. The front seats were equipped with heating, ventilation, massage functions, and memory settings. The Luxury Line added a heated steering wheel, heated armrests, and the "Energizing Comfort" system. The Executive Line, exclusive to the S580, upgraded the rear seats with additional features and included a high-end rear-seat entertainment system. The S-Class also had soft-close doors, ensuring a quiet and refined experience.

Technology
2021 Toyota Prius
4/10
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
9/10

The 2021 Toyota Prius came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Toyota’s Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also standard. However, the sound quality of the stereo speakers was poor, and road noise often overwhelmed the audio. 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. Unfortunately, this system lacked Android Auto compatibility. The digital instrumentation on the dashboard appeared dated and lacked sophistication.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen for the MBUX infotainment system. The OLED screen provided superior image quality and energy efficiency. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel offered customizable visual themes, and an optional 3D instrument cluster added depth and visual interest. The standard augmented video for navigation and available augmented reality head-up display enhanced the driving experience. The S-Class featured a Burmester 3D Surround sound system, with an optional 4D system adding headrest speakers. The car also had advanced powertrain and chassis technologies, including EQ Boost and rear-axle steering.

Safety
2021 Toyota Prius
8/10
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
9/10

The 2021 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, 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 and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard for the first three years. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Prius favorable marks, though it did not achieve a Top Safety Pick rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the 2021 Prius for crashworthiness.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured an extensive array of safety and driver assistance systems. Notable features included Magic Vision Control, active distance assist Distronic adaptive cruise control, active stop-and-go assist, active steering assist, active brake assist, active speed limit assist, active blind-spot assist, active lane-keeping assist, active parking assist, Pre-Safe Plus, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side. The car also had car-to-x communication, sharing road condition warnings. For rear passengers, the S-Class offered optional rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags, along with occupant restraint protection.

Cost Effectiveness
2021 Toyota Prius
9/10
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
8/10
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