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The 2021 Toyota Prius is synonymous with hybrid vehicles, and for good reason. It's comfortable, highly efficient and practical. Although "fun!" is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Prius, it's good where it matters.
Part of the fourth Prius generation introduced for 2016
What is the Prius?
The Toyota Prius may not have been the first hybrid to go on sale in America, but it's easily the most well known and influential. Over the years, the Prius has evolved from an odd-looking sedan into an equally odd-looking hatchback, growing in both size and efficiency over the years. The current model was introduced in 2016 and benefited from a significant update in 2019, including available all-wheel drive.
Since its debut, just about every mainstream automaker sells or has sold a hybrid or electrified vehicle that draws some influence from the Prius. Some noteworthy competitors on sale today include the Honda Insight and the Kia Niro. Toyota also offers hybrid variants of just about every other vehicle in its lineup including the Camry, Corolla and RAV4.
We don't expect any major changes for 2021. The Prius is available as a standard hybrid and a plug-in hybrid that allows for a short amount of all-electric driving. Toyota started last year offering features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and a suite of safety tech on all Prius trims.
Edmunds says
The Toyota Prius is far from the most exciting car on the road, but its combination of exceptional fuel economy, a roomy interior and a sizable cargo area has made it one of the most popular. It's not our favorite hybrid, but it's certainly worth a look if you're in the market. Check out our review of the 2020 Toyota Prius right here.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Prius L Eco 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.85 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Toyota Prius from 2008-2022.
$351/yr
vs. $415/yr for Average Midsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
0.71x/yr
vs. 0.87x/yr for Average Midsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
10.9%
vs. 10.2% for Average Midsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
2020 Toyota Prius LE AWD-e 4dr Hatchback AWD (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
We’ve had the AWD-e for three months and are still happy with the car. Very relaxing to drive in the city, super efficient on the highway. Around town the size is perfect, parking assist is fun to use, rear cross traffic alert very useful, the car is quiet. MPG in town has not been fantastic in the winter, but once the weather warmed up a bit the MPG went up. Average mpg since purchase … 49.6. 60+ on the highway on a trip to PA. The driver assist radar cruise control makes stop/go highway traffic less tiring. Quiet enough under normal conditions, a little rough under harder acceleration (but follow the break in period directions).
Bought this over the quicker RAV 4 hybrid because the handling in the Prius is much better, especially on winding back roads.
Didn’t buy a Prius Prime because the battery takes up so much trunk space on what would otherwise be a great car.
Didn’t but the Honda Insight because the front passenger seat is so low it’s difficult to get out of and is not height adjustable.
Prius built for safety!
5 out of 5 stars
Ethan , 09/15/2020
2020 Toyota Prius XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
In the beginning of the month I got into a horrific car crash. A semi hit my car and I drove into a concrete wall on the freeway at 75 miles an hour. Although my Prius is a total loss, I believe it saved my life. I have four broken bones and a lacerated knee. I walked out of that car. Unbelievable! I loved my Prius!
Best Hybrid On The Market
5 out of 5 stars
Bruski, 05/08/2020
2020 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e 4dr Hatchback AWD (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
This is my 3rd Prius. The technology and fuel economy continues to improve. The quality, reliability & dependability is incredible. Never have to be concerned with range anxiety on long trips like with all electric vehicles. Environmentally responsible.
1st hybrid, so far, love it
5 out of 5 stars
surly jason, 04/10/2021
2021 Toyota Prius LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
I've owned a ton of cars through the years; back in 2014, I got a Prius as a rental and remember enjoying it very much. I finally got tired of putting gas in my tank and started doing some research on Prii -- they are made in Japan and have legendary reliability. Checking fuelly, it seems like the later models all get about 50 mpg. I test drove several Prii but decided on a gray LE … model with black interior. I've owned it about 3 weeks and 1,200 miles and really like it: it's extremely quiet, smooth and pleasant to drive. I've had to put gas in it twice which is a welcome relief. It's not that I can't afford gas, I just hate stopping to put it in.
I no longer feel compelled to gas up after taking a 200-mile trip because there's still about 350 - 400 miles of range left (which is what many cars have with a full tank -- like my previous CRV, for instance). I can't imagine going back to a conventional car that gets conventional mileage. There is definitely a place for larger vehicles -- like if you have a large family, you're a tradesman and carry a bunch of stuff around, or you tow things -- but I bet if lots of people were honest with themselves and what their needs are, and they tried a Prius, they'd be pleased. I am extremely happy with my purchase.
UPDATE, 10/12: Love this car. I have right around 8,000 miles on it and the vehicle has consumed 134 gallons of gasoline. My operating cost per mile is about $0.51. I love how quiet the car is. The air conditioning is also the coldest and most effective system I've experienced. I am hoping the heat will be half as effective come winter and I'll be happy. I'm about 6' tall and I feel comfy in the car but I can see how a larger car could be more comfortable for someone who wants more legroom; as it is, I scrape the tops of my legs against the bottom of the steering wheel upon entry and exit. Improvements I'd like: the steering wheel to telescope out further. The automatic locking system to work on all doors not just the driver's door (I have to fish out my key fob to open the hatch if it's locked -- most newer cars have a proximity sensor so when you're near the car, pressing any of the external buttons unlocks the doors without resorting to pushing the buttons on the fob). I'd also like a self-dimming rear mirror. This is a pretty basic car and it could be that higher trim levels address my wants. I don't plan to get rid of this car but I could see getting a Camry or a RAV4 hybrid to supplement this vehicle when my significant other's car nears time for replacement. I am just so impressed with this car. I bought it to take us places on the weekends so we don't have to think about gas and it's met every expectation. I rarely go below a half-tank which means we travel about 300 miles and consume about 5 gallons of fuel doing so. The fuel range is phenomenal and I love driving the thing.
April 17th, 2022 update: have owned "Alice" more than a year and over 13k miles. Still love the car and enjoy driving it every time. Mpg dipped to high 40s / low 50s over the winter but is rebounding to mid to upper 50s as it's getting warmer. One of many things I love is leaving the car "on" with the heat running while getting gas because the engine stays off and I re-enter a toasty car. The biggest thing I dislike is how low Prius is. They make lift-kits for these and honestly 1 1/2" of height would be terrific. I'm not buying a lift-kit but it would be helpful. The car is great and I still think 80% of motorists could get by with a Prius. I love my little putt-putt !!
UPDATE, 10/18/22: still love my putt-putt, Alice. No complaints or problems. No unusual maintenance. Just passed 20k miles. There's a little wear on the fabric seats but I have to remind myself it's just a cheap little car. I may look into getting some colorful seat covers ... I love not having to think about my car, maintaining it, doing much of anything except pushing the start button and going.
I recently inherited a CRV and while I enjoy the space inside and higher ground clearance, it's frustrating how much gas it uses compared to the Prius.
UPDATE 4/18/23: Prius has been totally dependable and I still love driving it. She has about 27,000 miles and over the past 10 fill-ups, has averaged averaged just over 56 mpg; I expect this to increase with the warmer temperatures. The Prius and CRV make a great vehicular combo -- one with tons of cargo space, AWD, ground clearance; the other with terrific comfort and excellent mpg. I went and saw the new Prii and while they're more powerful, they're also smaller inside so I remain extremely pleased with mine :-) Five stars and two thumbs up !!
UPDATE 10/20/23: Nearly 38K miles and nothing but oil changes, new wipers, new cabin air filter, and new tires. I love driving my car and even make money driving the car with the current IRS reimbursement rate. Every time I get into it, it feels like "my new car." When I got the new tires, the dealer offered me a 2023 Prius as a loaner. I liked the extra power but the interior felt smaller and I disliked how the steering wheel obstructed the instrument panel. If they bring the bright yellow to the US, however, well, I may have to get one. In the meantime, loving my '21 Prius, Alice.
UPDATE 4/25/24: I've never been as satisfied with a vehicle as I am with Alice. Nearing 50,000 miles and no problems. I enjoy every drive in her. Still smooth, quiet, and reliably averaging between 50 - 60 mpg. I believe the average lifetime mpg is just over 59 mpg. I have seriously considered a Camry Hybrid but I value the hatchback too much to make the change. I would consider a small hybrid SUV if they approached the mpg of Prius but they don't. I think what I'd like would be a Camry Hybrid in wagon format. In the meantime, I have no plans to get rid of Alice.
UPDATE, 10/26/24: Still driving Alice -- she's been a fabulous vehicle. No unusual maintenance items and the only things replaced have been engine and cabin air filers, wipers, tires, and regular oil changes. She still runs like new and gets us where we need to go. This is the car that I've driven the farthest, by far, and just passed 60K miles. I plan to keep Alice for at least another year and a half and then she'll also be the car that I've owned the longest.
UPDATE, 4/28/25: best darn car ever. 68k miles and she just keeps getting better. No unexpected expenses, 56 mpg over the life of the car. There is nothing here not to like.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Toyota Prius, so we've included reviews for other years of the Prius since its last redesign.
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