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2021 Toyota Prius review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
7 photos

Toyota Prius highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Allows you to go further between fill-ups
  • Solid driver-assistance tech
  • Large hatchback cargo potential

Cons

  • Loud road noise at highway speeds
  • Poor on-ramp performance
  • Unusual instrument cluster design

Mileage (EPA estimate)

52 city, 48 highway, 50 combined

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A stylish, technology-first hatchback.

If you're looking for a comfortable, technology-forward hatchback with the capability to go beyond daily driving, don't miss the 2021 Toyota Prius. Under its sleek exterior, you'll find a practical and spacious cabin with plenty of room for passengers as well as cargo. Plus, the Prius boasts a hybrid power unit that can minimize trips to the pump. Add in a feature list full of gadgets and driver convenience features, and you get a car that can tackle daily commutes and long-range road trips in comfort and style.

All Toyota Prius years

What is new for the 2021 Toyota Prius?

  • The Prius is available in a new trim called the 20th Anniversary Edition.
  • Prius trims have been upgraded with Heated Steering Wheel and Android Auto as standard equipment this year.
  • The XLE trim now comes with CD Audio as standard equipment.
  • The L ECO trim now comes with CD Audio and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
  • The Limited trim now comes with Automated Parking as standard equipment.
  • The LE trim now comes with CD Audio as standard equipment.

2021 Toyota Prius trims

Curious how Toyota Prius trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

20th Anniversary Edition:

L ECO:

LE:

XLE:

Limited:

Toyota Prius photos

5 reasons to buy the 2021 Toyota Prius

1. Sleek styling

2021 Toyota Prius Review: Reasons to Buy 1 | CarMax

The 2021 Toyota Prius is a cutting-edge, technology-forward hybrid sedan, with sharp and striking styling to match. With its sculpted lines, active grille shutter, and LED accent lights, the 2021 Toyota Prius will turn heads wherever you take it. Sleek lines combine with smooth underbody panels to allow for excellent airflow as you drive. Combine this with a selection of eight exterior colors, including the striking Electric Storm Blue, and the 2021 Toyota Prius boasts the looks and style to stand out in any crowd.

2. Impressive cargo space

2021 Toyota Prius Review: Reasons to Buy 2 | CarMax

Want to tackle your weekly grocery shopping with ease? How about a long-distance road trip or vacation? With the 2021 Toyota Prius, you won't need to worry about space to fit your stuff. The Prius features a spacious 27.4 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats, and a whopping 50.7 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats folded flat. You can even transport larger items like bicycles with the optional cargo crossbars on the roof. For daily needs and long-distance expeditions, the 2021 Toyota Prius helps ensure you won't run out of room for supplies.

3. Hybrid engine performance

2021 Toyota Prius Review: Reasons to Buy 3 | CarMax

With standard front-wheel drive, the 2021 Toyota Prius gets an EPA-estimated 52 mpg combined; with the optional all-wheel drive installed, you still get an EPA-estimated 49 mpg combined.

If you really want to make every mile count, the L Eco trim boasts an EPA-estimated 56 mpg combined — 58 mpg in the city, and 53 mpg on the highway.
If you're looking to maximize the distance between trips to the pump, the 2021 Toyota Prius is designed to deliver.

4. Cabin comforts

2021 Toyota Prius Review: Reasons to Buy 4 | CarMax

The 2021 Toyota Prius boasts a comfortable, convenient, and feature-packed cabin. The Prius provides seating for five passengers and a total passenger volume of 91 cubic feet, a large front windshield for easy visibility, and a quiet ride inside. Standard tech features include automatic climate control and Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The trim-topping Limited model features an 11.6-inch touchscreen with a head-up display, and pinch-and-zoom touch gestures. With a cabin like this, you won't want your journeys in the 2021 Toyota Prius to end.

5. Driver convenience tech

2021 Toyota Prius Review: Reasons to Buy 5 | CarMax

For further comfort and convenience behind the wheel, the 2021 Toyota Prius includes a suite of driver convenience features as standard. Features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Along with features like road sign assist, the 2021 Toyota Prius can give you the confidence and peace of mind to tackle all kinds of driving, from the hustle and bustle of the city to wide-open highways.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2021 Toyota Prius, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

The Ioniq is the first Hyundai model that was purposely built as a hybrid or electric vehicle. It's a compact hatchback that's available in three variants: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric. Suitable for your daily transportation needs around town, you'll appreciate the comfortable interior and abundant cargo space of 2017–2021 models, measuring 26.5 cu-ft for the hybrid version, and 23 cu-ft for both the plug-in and electric models. Some of the most notable standard features for the 2017–2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid include:

  • Dual-zone automatic climate control

  • Bluetooth connectivity

  • Heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel (Plug-In Hybrid and Ioniq Electric)

  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility



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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4.9 out of 5

8 customer reviews
4
1
2
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Toyota Prius an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Toyota Prius 6th out of 28 among Midsize Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius features and specs

XLE 2WD 4D Hatchback

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automated Parking
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leatherette Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Traction Control
  • Head Up Display
  • Sunroof(s)

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

1.8L

Horsepower

121

Torque (ft-lbs)

105

Engine type

Hybrid

Fuel capacity

11.3

Wheelbase

106.3"

Overall length

180"

Width

69.3"

Height

57.9"

Leg room

F 42.3"/R 33.4"

Head room

F 39.4"/R 37.4"

Front tires

P215/45VR17

Rear tires

P215/45VR17

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2021 Toyota Prius FAQ

More about the 2021 Toyota Prius

Color options

Exterior colors:

2021 Toyota Prius Review: Top Colors | CarMax
  • Classic Silver Metallic

  • Electric Storm Blue

  • Magnetic Gray Metallic

  • Midnight Black Metallic

  • Sea Glass Pearl

  • Super White

  • Supersonic Red

  • Wind Chill Pearl

Interior details

  • Seating for up to five passengers

  • 91 cubic feet of passenger volume

  • 27.4 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats

  • 50.7 cubic feet of cargo volume with the rear seats folded flat

  • Seven-inch infotainment touchscreen (11.6-inch touchscreen on Limited trim)

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