BMW i3 vs. Toyota Prius
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i3 and Toyota Prius contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW i3 and the Toyota Prius.
In comparing the BMW i3's and the Toyota Prius's specifications and ratings, the BMW i3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Toyota Prius has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW i3's and the Toyota Prius's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Prius is a better car than the BMW i3.
Pricing: A used 2021 BMW i3 ranges from $22,900 to $33,661 while a used 2021 Toyota Prius is priced between $19,000 to $29,898.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW i3 loses 57.8 percent of its value and the Toyota Prius loses 30.7 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Prius retains 27.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW i3.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW i3 is 6.5 out of 10 while the Toyota Prius' quality rating is 9.2 out of 10. This results in the BMW i3 being ranked 3 out of 5 Best Hybrid Luxury Small Cars and the Toyota Prius being ranked 1 out of 25 Best Hybrid Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW i3 is 6.1 out of 10. For the Toyota Prius the reliability rating is 8.9 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Prius an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW i3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i3’s base engine makes 168 horsepower, and the Toyota Prius base engine makes 121 horsepower. The i3 is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 197 miles. The Prius is rated to deliver an average of 56 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 599 miles. This gives the Toyota Prius the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW i3. The i3 uses electricity, premium unleaded, and the Prius uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are hybrid compact cars, the Toyota Prius has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW i3 has the advantage in the area of front head room.
Safety Ratings: The Toyota Prius has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$48,300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$51,950
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$44,550 - $67,300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$24,525
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$24,151
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$23,130 - $26,700
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$28,187
Price Range:
$22,900 - $33,661
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$37,708
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$28,187 - $54,808
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
30
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
25,028
# Good or Great Deals:
14
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,099
Price Range:
$19,000 - $29,898
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$22,056
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$19,745 - $24,099
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
152
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
54,400
# Good or Great Deals:
68
BMW i3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
6.5 / 10
Reliability:
6.1 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Toyota Prius Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
7.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
7.4 - 8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Prius
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
9.9
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
9.3 - 10.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
33.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3.2 - 28.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
1.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
1.5 - 10.2
BMW i3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 20Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
28 out of / 28Toyota Prius Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 25Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 9Ranking
8 out of / 10Ranking
11 out of / 25Ranking
12 out of / 25Ranking
17 out of / 25Ranking
22 out of / 25Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
BMW i3 Trim Levels
Base, s
Toyota Prius Trim Levels
2020 Edition, L Eco, LE, LE AWD-e, Limited, XLE, XLE AWD-e
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
168 hp
Torque:
184 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
121 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.040 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
0.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
2
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
30 / 31 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
195 / 197 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
58 / 53 / 56
Range (city/hwy):
655 / 599 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.2 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
27.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
120.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3276 lbs
Width:
80.3 inches
Height:
62.9 inches
Length:
158.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3010 lbs
Width:
69.3 inches
Height:
57.9 inches
Length:
180 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 5.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
155/70R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Fluid Black w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Blue
Imperial Blue Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Gold
Galvanic Gold Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Metallic Highlight
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Silver
Cashmere Silver Metallic w/ BMW i Blue Highlight
White
Capparis White w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Electric Storm Blue
Gold
Not available
Gray
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Silver
Classic Silver Metallic
White
Super White / Wind Chill Pearl
Green
Sea Glass Pearl
Red
Supersonic Red
Interior Colors
Brown
Tera Dark Truffle
Gray
Deka Dark / Giga Brown w/ Carum Spice Grey Wool Cloth / Mega Carum Spice Grey w/ Brown Cloth Highlight
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Moonstone
Black
Black
