2023 Toyota Prius vs 2022 BMW i4

The 2022 BMW i4 was a visual continuation of the gasoline 4 Series Gran Coupe, featuring a polarizing oversized grille and a design that blurred the lines between a traditional sedan and a coupe. Despite its unconventional styling, the i4 boasted improved aerodynamics over its gasoline counterpart, with a drag coefficient of 0.24 for the base model and 0.25 for the M50 variant. This was achieved through various design tweaks, including a smooth underbody and an active grille flap. The interior of the i4 balanced modern minimalism with classic BMW elements, featuring a freestanding screen and a familiar layout of controls. However, the leather upholstery was not standard, and the seating was noted for being somewhat flat and hard.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a complete transformation, emerging with a sleek and futuristic design that aimed to attract both efficiency-focused and style-conscious buyers. The new Prius was longer, lower, and wider, with wheels pushed to the corners for improved handling and a more athletic stance. The interior, while slightly smaller in some dimensions, offered increased legroom and a more solid feel, with high-quality materials and a reassuring door closure. The cabin featured a pair of screens, with a more traditional instrument panel placement, and was designed with functionality in mind, though it lacked some decorative elements. Overall, the new Prius provided a comfortable and engaging driving experience.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered impressive performance figures, with the base eDrive40 model producing 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The M50 variant, with its two-motor powertrain, delivered 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Despite its weight, the i4 was praised for its handling, thanks to a low center of gravity and advanced suspension systems. The Dynamic Handling Package further enhanced the driving experience, providing a smooth ride and precise steering. However, the adaptive recuperation system for regenerative braking received mixed reviews, as it sometimes lacked consistency.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, on the other hand, featured a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a more powerful electric motor, resulting in 194 horsepower for FWD models and 196 horsepower for AWD models. This was a significant improvement over the previous model's 121 horsepower. The Prius now accelerated from 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds, a notable improvement from the older model's 10.5 seconds. The revised suspension and longer wheelbase contributed to agile handling, while road and wind noise were well-managed. The brakes, though slightly squishy, were effective, making the Prius a comfortable and engaging daily driver.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered a low seating position despite the battery pack beneath, but the fastback roof limited headroom. The interior felt open, with an efficiently designed center console, though the seats were criticized for being flat and hard. The i4 provided 10 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3, and lacked a front trunk.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, while larger on the outside, had slightly reduced headroom inside. Legroom improved, and the optional fixed glass roof enhanced the cabin's openness. Cargo space was 20 cubic feet on XLE and Limited models, and 24 cubic feet on the LE. The cabin featured practical storage solutions, including a wireless charging pocket and USB-C ports. However, rear visibility was somewhat compromised by the design changes.

The 2022 BMW i4 was equipped with the latest iDrive8 infotainment system and BMW Curved Display, featuring a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, and OTA updates. The user experience was intuitive, with a rotary controller and effective voice recognition system.

The 2023 Toyota Prius came with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base LE and XLE models, with an optional 12.3-inch screen on the XLE and standard on the Limited trim. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the navigation system required a subscription. The Prius also featured a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, USB-C ports, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, with various subscription-based connectivity bundles available.

The 2022 BMW i4 included standard driver-assist features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and parking assistance features. However, crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane-departure alerts. The Proactive Driving Assist system was praised for its minimal intrusion. All safety features were standard across trims, and the Limited trim offered an optional hands-free parking feature. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.