2023 BMW 3 Series vs 2024 Toyota Prius

The 2023 BMW 3 Series, a staple of the Bavarian brand since 1975, continued to impress with its sporty yet subtle exterior design modifications. The seventh-generation model, refreshed for 2023, retained its lineup of the petrol-powered 330i and M340i, along with the plug-in hybrid 330e. The 3 Series maintained its classic narrow kidney grille, leading into redesigned full-LED headlights with a slimmed-down silhouette. The lower air intakes and flared rear-wheel arches added to its sporty appeal, complemented by standard 18-inch double-spoke light alloys, with an optional 19-inch upgrade. Inside, the 3 Series featured the advanced BMW iDrive 8 system with a 27.2-inch BMW Curved Display, creating a driver-centric cockpit with a minimalist dashboard design.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Prius retained its iconic wedge-shaped profile but introduced distinctive styling for its aerodynamically optimized bodywork. The Prius XLE and Limited models stood out with their attractive 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Prius maintained its quirky charm, though the instrumentation moved to a more traditional position in front of the driver. However, the digital panel's placement near the windshield posed visibility challenges. The interior featured hard plastics, leading to a less refined feel, but the Prius remained a practical choice with its spacious cargo area and innovative storage solutions. Despite no changes for 2024, the Prius continued to offer LE, XLE, and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $27,950 to $34,965.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series carried over its powertrains from previous years, offering a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the 330i and 330e, and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six for the M340i. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and xDrive all-wheel drive available. The 330i produced 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The 330e, with its electric motor, delivered a combined 288 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and offering up to 22 miles of electric-only range. The M340i, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, boasted 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, sprinting to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Fuel economy varied, with the 330i achieving 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while the 330e offered 28 combined mpg and 75 MPGe in electric mode.

The 2024 Toyota Prius, following its 2023 redesign, offered a significant power boost with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an 83-kilowatt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid system produced 194 horsepower with front-wheel drive and 196 hp with all-wheel drive. The Prius LE achieved an impressive 57 mpg combined, while the XLE and Limited offered 52 mpg. The Prius accelerated to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds with FWD and seven seconds with AWD. The Prius Prime plug-in hybrid variant provided 40 to 45 miles of electric driving range. During testing, the Prius averaged 48.3 mpg on a mountainous route, showcasing its fuel efficiency. However, the Prius's steering and CVT left room for improvement, and the ride lacked smoothness on rough roads.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series offered a compact yet comfortable interior, with 38.7 inches of headroom and 42 inches of legroom in the front, and 37.6 inches of headroom and 35.2 inches of legroom in the rear. Standard SensaTec faux leather upholstery and power-adjustable front sport seats provided support, though the seat cushions were on the stiff side. The 3 Series featured a user-friendly iDrive controller knob and ample storage options, including 17 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The rear seats folded in a 40/20/40 split, accommodating larger items. Standard features included a power moonroof, with available options like a heated steering wheel and remote start.

The 2024 Toyota Prius, with its dramatic exterior styling, offered a snug interior compared to previous generations. The driver’s seat was comfortable, but the 7-inch digital display was small and often obstructed by the steering wheel. The windshield pillars created a slightly claustrophobic feel, and rear-seat passengers found the space cramped yet adequate for two. The Prius provided 20.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the XLE and Limited trims, with 23.8 cubic feet in the LE. The cargo cover limited storage capacity, but removing it allowed for more luggage. The Prius featured a wireless smartphone charging slot, though it was prone to collecting dirt and dust.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series featured the advanced BMW iDrive 8 system, with a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. The system offered intuitive touch functionality, customizable widgets, and voice-activated controls through the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Standard tech features included USB-C ports, enhanced Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, and over-the-air updates. Optional upgrades included wireless device charging, a premium Harman Kardon sound system, and a wireless 5G hotspot.

The 2024 Toyota Prius came with the Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system offered Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected services plans. Wi-Fi Connect, Service Connect, and Safety Connect were available with trial subscriptions. Drive Connect, available for the LE and XLE, provided cloud-based navigation and digital assistant services. The Limited trim offered an eight-speaker JBL sound system, though it lacked depth. Additional features included a 360-degree camera system and semi-autonomous parking assistance.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA, though the PHEV model was unrated. The IIHS had not rated the 2023 model, but the 2022 version earned a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, LED headlights, BMW Assist eCall, Active Guard, and the Active Protection System. Optional safety packages offered features like active blind spot detection, lane-departure warning, and semi-autonomous driving systems.

The 2024 Toyota Prius came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Proactive Driving Assist feature provided subtle steering and braking assistance. The Prius earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating, and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.