Used 2021 Toyota Prius Prime for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime cost?

Prices are up 1.08% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 304 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime a good car?

Yes — 5/5 from owners, and the expert rating is 6.5/10. The model scores 8/10 across Form and function and Safety.

The 2021 Prius Prime stands out for packaging, with a good list of standard equipment and features, plus the range and efficiency plug-in hybrid shoppers want. It also brings impressive electric range and standard advanced safety features, which strengthen its value proposition.

The trade-offs are clear: Toyota’s hard-to-use infotainment system and poor ergonomic design can make daily use frustrating, and slow acceleration is another drawback. If you want a plug-in hybrid that prioritizes efficiency and equipment over driving excitement, this is the kind of car that fits that brief.

36.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Prius Prime’s reliability case is helped by Toyota’s long hybrid experience and its focus on efficiency-oriented engineering. The expert assessment also points to a car that does its core job well, even if it feels dated in some areas.

Its plug-in hybrid setup, battery system, and hybrid components mean you should still pay close attention to service history and charging-related wear when shopping used. A clean maintenance record matters most if you want to minimize long-term ownership risk.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota Prius Prime?

At 71.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in any collision. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs that the interior electronics and charging system work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LE, XLE, and Limited share the same basic design, but the higher trims add technology features while the base trim keeps things simpler.
• Powertrain: It uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, front-wheel drive, and an e-CVT. It offers 25 miles of all-electric range, 133 MPGe in electric mode, and 54 mpg combined in hybrid mode.
• Safety package: Every version gets Toyota’s Star Safety System, plus automatic emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, road-sign assist, and Lane Tracing Assist automated lane centering.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a head-up display. An 11.6-inch touchscreen is available, along with wireless smartphone charging.
• Fuel efficiency: It returns 55 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, and 54 mpg combined in hybrid mode, along with 133 MPGe in electric mode.

Which 2021 Toyota Prius Prime trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Prius Prime is offered in 3 trim levels: LE, XLE, Limited.

Here's the short version:

• LE: This is the most straightforward choice if you want the Prius Prime’s core efficiency, standard safety tech, and plug-in capability without paying for extra convenience features.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim if you want more tech and comfort equipment while still staying below the top trim.
• Limited: Choose this if you want the most feature-rich version and are willing to pay for the added equipment.

Every trim gets Toyota’s standard safety suite, so you do not need to move up the lineup just to get the core driver-assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota Prius Prime?

This looks like a moderate buyer’s market, so you have some room to shop selectively without waiting for a dramatic discount.

• Deal availability: 36.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 304 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.08% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 71.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,925, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime's resale value?

The current average of $23,163 sits slightly above last year's $22,916.

That modest increase suggests the Prius Prime has held value reasonably well in the near term. For a future seller, that kind of steady pricing can help support a more predictable resale outcome, especially if the car remains in clean condition and has a strong service history.

The market is also showing continued interest, which matters for a plug-in hybrid with a clear efficiency pitch. If you keep mileage reasonable and maintenance records organized, you should be in a better position when it is time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime safe?

The 2021 Toyota Prius Prime earns a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, and IIHS gives it all "Good" crashworthiness ratings except for an "Acceptable" result in the small-overlap front-passenger side test.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota equips every version with its Star Safety System, plus automatic emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, road-sign assist, and Lane Tracing Assist automated lane centering. That is a strong standard safety list for the class.

The main caveat is the IIHS small-overlap front-passenger side result, along with "Acceptable" headlights. Even so, the overall safety picture is still strong for used-car shoppers who want a well-equipped hybrid.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Prius Prime or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 36.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.08% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out for its strong packaging, standard advanced safety features, and impressive electric range.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $23,359, the 2020 costs more than the current year's $23,163 average.
• It is especially appealing for shoppers focused on saving the most money on gas.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced buy, the 2021 is the cleaner choice because it combines strong efficiency, standard safety tech, and a slightly lower average price than the 2020. If your top priority is maximum fuel savings and you are comfortable with an older model-year value proposition, the 2020 can still make sense for price-sensitive shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.