2022 Subaru WRX 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 its unique styling, which many found unappealing, even in the trendy blacked-out trim of the 2020 Edition. Inside, the Prius featured an unconventional layout with a strip of displays mounted in the center of the dashboard, a toggle lever for transmission controls, and a button for engaging Park. The dashboard wrapped dramatically into the door panels, and the infotainment pod was thrust toward the front seat occupants. Gloss-black trim, a magnet for dust and fingerprints, added to the interior's oddity.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru WRX offered a more subtle exterior design, despite being two inches wider than its predecessor. The front end featured a small hexagonal grille and sharp-looking LED headlights, while the side profile was less busy, with black plastic cladding designed to improve airflow. The rear fenders flared outward dramatically, and the taillights had a multifaceted design. The WRX's interior saw significant improvements, with better fit and finish, a D-shaped steering wheel, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, and carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents. The seats, upholstered in premium cloth or Ultrasuede, were supportive and comfortable, making the WRX a more modern and appealing choice.

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 a 52 mpg combined rating, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop, slightly below EPA estimates. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. The electric motor provided near-instantaneous 120 pound-feet of torque, making the Prius feel lively off the line. 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 TNGA platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and a more athletic feel, allowing the Prius to handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, on the other hand, featured a new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine, producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This was a slight improvement over the previous generation's 2.0-liter engine. The WRX came standard with AWD and offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a CVT. The manual transmission provided a satisfying driving experience, with notchy and precise shifts and a forgiving clutch pedal. The WRX's suspension, mounted on the Subaru Global Platform, offered a more forgiving ride quality and reduced body roll in corners. The car's stabilizer bar was mounted to the body, further enhancing its handling capabilities. Despite its performance focus, the WRX's power output felt a bit lacking compared to competitors like the Volkswagen GTI.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, with room for 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. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom for adults, 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 rear seats folded down.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, while no longer offering a hatchback option, increased its cargo capacity to 12.5 cubic feet, expandable with the rear seat's 60/40 split-fold function. The sport seats were supportive and well-upholstered, with premium cloth in the base and Premium trims and Ultrasuede in the Limited and GT trims. The seats provided ample bolstering without feeling too tight, making the WRX a viable commuter vehicle. The standard AWD added to its practicality, making it a standout option in its price range.

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, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Toyota’s Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also standard, with generous free trial subscriptions. The sound quality of the standard stereo system was poor, and road noise often overwhelmed it on the highway. 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.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, particularly in the premium trim or higher, featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display, similar to those found in newer Outback and Legacy models. The system included physical controls for climate control, power and volume, tuning, and defrost functions. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration was not seamless, with Android Auto displaying only on the top half of the screen. The base trim featured a more unusual setup with two 7-inch displays stacked one on top of the other. The WRX also offered an 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system, which performed well in other Subaru models.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, 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 IIHS but lacked a crashworthiness rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Subaru WRX's safety features varied by transmission. CVT-equipped models came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite, which included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. The system also featured an electronic brake booster and automatic steering assist. Manual transmission models did not include EyeSight due to the risk of stalling during panic stops. Blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Limited and GT trims. The WRX's Subaru Global Platform absorbed more energy in a crash, and the car came equipped with seven airbags, including a driver’s-side knee airbag.