2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2020 BMW 3 Series evoked a sense of awe reminiscent of majestic marine life, with its lidded headlights, curved hood, and oversized grille giving it an aquatic appearance. Despite its high price, starting at $40,750 and reaching $69,570 with options, the M340i trim was praised for its exhilarating driving experience. The interior offered a variety of customization options, with high-quality materials and a focus on improved quality, making the price more palatable.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped design, which was no longer necessary for efficiency but remained part of its identity. The interior featured a unique layout with centrally mounted displays and unconventional transmission controls. Despite its odd design, the Prius offered practicality with its hatchback utility and a price range from $24,525 to $32,650. The Prius 2020 Edition, with its Supersonic Red paint, was priced at $31,295.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series was lauded for its driving dynamics, with significant improvements in steering and suspension. The M340i trim, with its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, delivered a thrilling performance. The car's 8-speed automatic transmission, while not manual, was praised for its precision, allowing the M340i xDrive to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The car's handling was enhanced by its variable sport steering, M Sport differential, and robust braking system.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving 56 mpg in combined driving. Other front-drive models offered 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg during testing. Its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, produced a modest 121 horsepower. The Prius excelled in urban environments, offering electric-only driving at low speeds and various driving modes to optimize efficiency. While not a performance car, the Prius handled well on curvy roads, thanks to its TNGA platform, but lacked the excitement of the BMW.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series offered comfortable and supportive front seats, with high-quality leather and heating features. Rear-seat access was somewhat awkward, but once inside, passengers enjoyed excellent support. The car's controls were a mix of traditional and modern, with some being cryptic. The infotainment system was well-integrated, and storage space was generous, with a 17-cubic-foot trunk.

The 2021 Toyota Prius surprised with its spacious interior, accommodating up to five passengers. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex upholstery could be sticky. The rear seats provided adequate space, but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, offering between 24.6 and 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured an advanced iDrive infotainment system with multiple interaction methods, including a touchscreen, voice recognition, and gesture control. The system was intuitive, and the voice recognition was particularly impressive. The car also included a head-up display, visible even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering standard features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added a JBL sound system and a larger 11.6-inch screen, but lacked Android Auto. The digital instrumentation was dated, and the sound quality was poor, especially on the highway.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series required optional packages for advanced driving assistance systems, which were not always smooth. However, the car received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. The systems worked well, though the lane-keeping assistance affected steering feel. Safety Connect services were also standard, providing emergency assistance and more. The IIHS rated the Prius favorably, though it did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation.