2023 Toyota Prius vs 2022 BMW 3 Series

The 2022 BMW 3 Series, encompassing the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3 variants, presented itself with a myriad of options, ranging from $41,450 to $73,000, exclusive of a $995 destination charge. Various powertrains were offered: the 330i and 330e featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with the latter model employing plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology for an electric driving range of 23 miles before integrating gas-electric hybrid operation. The M340i, tested in this comparison, boasted a turbocharged six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology that enhanced the car's handling characteristics. It was draped in a Barbera Red special-order paint, a striking $4,500 addition. The interior featured Cognac-color SensaTec simulated leather upholstery, an optional SensaTec dashboard wrap, and packages such as the Driving Assistance Pro, Premium, Cooling and High-Performance Tire package, and Adaptive M Suspension. These choices culminated in a total price of $67,390, including the destination charge.

The M340i came with an M Performance exterior design, exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline exterior trim, blue brake calipers, and optional Cooling and High-Performance Tire package that added 19-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance tires. The vehicle’s styling was compelling, offering significant performance without the overly aggressive grille of the M3. The perforated SensaTec upholstery convincingly mimicked real leather, enhancing the upscale cabin feel, further accentuated by the Cognac color contrasting with the dark cabin. The 3 Series design leaned more towards a technical aesthetic than luxury, emphasizing driving pleasure over opulence.

Conversely, Toyota's 2023 Prius underwent a significant transformation, abandoning its purely efficiency-focused design, induced by the rise of budget-friendly electric vehicles and hybrid competitors. The revamped Prius exuded a sleeker, futuristic charm with a precise blend of curves and edges, without shunning more traditional buyers. The wheels were repositioned for better handling, augmenting the car’s planted and athletic look. The vehicle was notably longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor, enhancing both its visual and driving dynamics. The Prius’ platform provided a reassuring solidity, handling rough surfaces with finesse. The doors closed with a robust 'thunk' indicating quality construction, and the interior fit and finish were impressive, devoid of a budget car feel.

Inside the Prius, two screens provided vital information: an instrument panel facing the driver and a dashboard-mounted infotainment screen. This was a departure from the previous center-mounted instrument panel setup, aiming for practicality over form with minimal decorative trim but ample comfort for occupants.

The 2022 BMW M340i sported a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, producing 382 horsepower between 5,800 rpm and 6,500 rpm, and 368 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm. It achieved a fuel efficiency of 24.9 mpg on test routes, slightly short of the 26 mpg EPA rating, which was commendable given the car’s rigorous driving during evaluations. The engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission featuring Sport mode, paddle shifters, and launch control, directed power to the rear wheels through an M Sport differential. Enhanced M Sport brakes, variable sport steering, and an M Sport suspension, along with the optional Adaptive M Suspension, made for an agile, responsive driving experience. BMW's claim of a 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.4 seconds was credible, with the car's dynamic handling vividly felt, making it a standout in its class.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, with its upgraded powertrain, performed significantly better than its predecessor. Equipped with a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a more powerful electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery, the Prius delivered 194 horsepower in front-wheel-drive models, and 196 horsepower in all-wheel-drive models—substantial increases from the previous model’s 121 horsepower. The engine was mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission, enabling a smooth driving experience. The Prius achieved a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds, down from the prior 10.5 seconds, showcasing its newfound athleticism. While not a sports car, it provided more than adequate acceleration for everyday driving, though engine noise was intrusive under hard acceleration. The revised suspension and longer wheelbase contributed to a comfortable ride and agile handling, although the brakes retained a degree of typical hybrid sponginess.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series excelled in blending sporting character with practicality. The M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats, optimal for both leisurely commutes and spirited drives. The cabin was designed with an intimate driver focus without feeling cramped, allowing ample space for rear seat passengers. Rear seat legroom was adequate for taller adults, albeit with a center seat that was likely to be unused. Standard amenities included a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available in the Premium package, although ventilated front seats were notably absent. The 17 cubic-foot trunk offered extensive cargo space, bolstered by a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat design with a central pass-through.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Prius presented slightly reduced interior dimensions despite the car's growth. Headroom was decreased in both seating rows, though legroom improved, allowing for comfortable accommodation of taller passengers. The optional fixed glass roof on mid-grade XLE trims (standard on Limited) helped alleviate the somewhat confined feeling, though these panels did not open for ventilation. Cargo space also decreased, offering 20 cubic feet on XLE and Limited trims, and 24 cubic feet on the base LE trim. Visibility was compromised by the loss of the split rear window, but thoughtful cabin features like abundant cupholders, a snug smartphone charger pocket, and USB-C ports throughout added to the Prius's practical appeal. The rear cargo area included underfloor storage compartments, yet a single larger pocket would have been more useful. The flexible cargo cover was a handy addition for concealing belongings.

For 2022, BMW equipped the 3 Series with Live Cockpit Professional featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen for infotainment with navigation. While missing the classic round analog gauges, iDrive 7.0 proved user-friendly, allowing interactions via the center console, touchscreen, steering wheel controls, or voice recognition. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker sound system were included, though the previously available Harman Kardon audio upgrade was unavailable for 2022. BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant offered robust voice recognition, useful for navigation and emergency assistance.

In 2023, the Toyota Prius boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on LE and XLE trims, with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen available on XLE and standard on Limited trim. Though requiring a $735 upgrade, the larger screen provided better usability. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster, while informative, felt cramped. Six USB-C ports, wireless charging on XLE and Limited trims, and an AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot (subscription required) enhanced connectivity. Toyota offered subscription-based services like Remote Connect, Safety Connect, and Drive Connect, each adding layers of convenience and safety features.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series, while slightly lacking in standard advanced driving assistance technologies, included Active Guard with forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional packages provided comprehensive enhancements including lane-keeping and lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and an emergency stop assistant. The 3 Series garnered top safety ratings from both the IIHS (Top Safety Pick) and NHTSA (five-star ratings across the board), solidifying its status as a robustly safe vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, integrating adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure alerts, lane-tracing assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. These features worked harmoniously to provide a secure driving experience, adaptable to driver preferences. Additional standard safety features included stability control, traction control, eight airbags, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. The top Limited trim could be further enhanced with hands-free automatic parking technology. As of the review, the 2023 Prius had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.