Limited 5dr Front-Wheel Drive Hatchback
2021 Toyota Prius
Thanks to the increasing popularity of SUVs and electric cars, the 2021 Toyota Prius isn't quite the ultimate tree-hugger status symbol it once was. But even a marginalized Prius is still a formidable competitor among hybrids. The Prius rewards drivers with stellar fuel economy and an affordable price of entry. All Prius models get their power via a 1.8-liter inline-4 that, with the help of an electric motor and a small accompanying battery pack, makes 121 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive (which comes with an additional electric motor on the rear axle) is available with some trims. A CVT handles the logistics of getting power to the wheels.
The plug-in Prius Prime is much the same under the hood save for a bigger battery pack that allows up to 25 miles of all-electric range. All-wheel drive is not available. It gets 133 MPGe combined when the electric wizardry is in play or 54 mpg combined otherwise.
The regular Prius isn't much worse, netting up to 58 mpg city, 53 highway, 56 combined for the decontented L Eco trim. The other trims earn 54/50/52 mpg with front-wheel drive or 51/47/49 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Safety equipment improves this year with newly-standard pedestrian detection and automatic high-beams. That joins the previously-standard automatic emergency braking and active lane control.
The NHTSA gave the Prius five stars for overall crashworthiness but four stars for rollover protection. The IIHS gave top marks for the Prius across five of their six crash test scenarios, which wasn't quite good enough to merit a Top Safety Pick designation.
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All Prius models get their power via a 1.8-liter inline-4 that, with the help of an electric motor and a small accompanying battery pack, makes 121 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive (which comes with an additional electric motor on the rear axle) is available with some trims. A CVT handles the logistics of getting power to the wheels.
The plug-in Prius Prime is much the same under the hood save for a bigger battery pack that allows up to 25 miles of all-electric range. All-wheel drive is not available. It gets 133 MPGe combined when the electric wizardry is in play or 54 mpg combined otherwise.
The regular Prius isn't much worse, netting up to 58 mpg city, 53 highway, 56 combined for the decontented L Eco trim. The other trims earn 54/50/52 mpg with front-wheel drive or 51/47/49 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Safety equipment improves this year with newly-standard pedestrian detection and automatic high-beams. That joins the previously-standard automatic emergency braking and active lane control.
The NHTSA gave the Prius five stars for overall crashworthiness but four stars for rollover protection. The IIHS gave top marks for the Prius across five of their six crash test scenarios, which wasn't quite good enough to merit a Top Safety Pick designation.
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Retail Price
| Engine | I-4 |
| MPG | 54 City / 50 Hwy |
| Seating | 5 Passengers |
| Transmission | CVTi-S 2-spd CVT w/OD |
| Power | 95 @ 5200 rpm |
| Drivetrain | front-wheel |
