2021 Toyota Prius vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had a restrained design, lacking the flourishes of the 3 Series or the imposing size of the 7 Series. It received a minor styling refresh for 2021, featuring sleeker LED headlights and a larger twin-kidney grille. The car also had trapezoidal tailpipes, new L-shaped taillights, and updated bumpers for the M Sport Package. The interior maintained the familiar BMW layout, with specific design elements like the touchscreen positioning and the unusual-looking shifter. Lower trims came with SensaTec upholstery, while higher trims offered Dakota and Nappa leather options. The aluminum trim added a high-end feel, although the sport steering wheel felt out of place.

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design ingrained into its identity since the second-generation model. Despite its aerodynamic efficiency, the styling was not well-received, even in the 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim. The interior was unconventional, with a strip of displays in the center of the dashboard and a toggle lever for transmission controls. The infotainment pod was thrust toward the front seat occupants, and the gloss-black trim attracted dust and fingerprints. The Prius was available in multiple trims, with an optional AWD-e system for the LE and XLE trims. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, with our test vehicle costing $31,295.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a variety of powertrain options. The base 530i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, generating 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, and reaching 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive. The M550i xDrive had a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 532 hp, while the M5 boasted 617 hp, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version averaging 56 mpg in combined driving. Other front-drive models achieved 52 mpg, while AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. The electric motor provided 120 pound-feet of torque, allowing for lively acceleration from a stop. The Prius offered Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with an EV Mode for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph. The TNGA platform provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling on curvy roads, although the steering lacked road feel.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series was available as a four-door, five-seat sedan. It offered spacious front seats and adequate rear-seat room, with 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space. The rear bench had a 40/20/20 split fold for longer items. Our test car featured 16-way power front seats with heating and ventilation, although forward visibility was poor due to the long hood.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, despite its small appearance, offered ample interior space for up to five people. Our test vehicle had an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided sufficient room for adults, although there were no air-conditioning vents. Cargo space ranged from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile interface, and voice control was available. Gesture controls were also an option, although they were less precise than traditional controls.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The digital instrumentation on the dashboard had dated graphics.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series received a “Top Safety Pick+” award from the IIHS for the 2020 model, with top scores in all crash tests. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. The LE trim and higher included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. The IIHS gave the Prius favorable marks, although it did not receive a Top Safety Pick award.