Used 2021 Toyota Prius Prime for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime cost?

Prices are up 1.87% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 296 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 2021 Toyota Prius Prime is a packaging-first plug-in hybrid that gives you a good list of standard equipment, strong efficiency, and useful electric range. It also earns an 8/10 from experts for safety, and the model scores 8/10 across Form and function and Safety.

The trade-offs are clear: acceleration is slow, the infotainment system is hard to use, and the cabin design can feel polarizing. That makes it a better fit if you care more about efficiency and standard features than driving excitement or a highly intuitive interior.

35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you a decent chance of finding a competitive offer.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The 2021 Prius Prime is built around Toyota’s hybrid know-how, and its plug-in setup is aimed at buyers who want efficiency and everyday practicality. Its powertrain is described as competent rather than exciting, but it is still designed to deliver the kind of dependable, low-drama ownership experience many used buyers want.

Toyota also backs the car with a hybrid battery warranty and hybrid-related components coverage, which adds peace of mind for long-term ownership. For used buyers, the main risk is less about the concept and more about finding a well-kept example with a clean service history and no hidden wear.

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

At 71.6% 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 a prior collision. Focus on overall condition, panel fit, and how the cabin electronics and controls operate, since those are the areas most likely to affect day-to-day satisfaction. If you’re comparing multiple listings, put the cleanest, best-documented example at the top of your list.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The three trim levels are LE, XLE, and Limited. The LE gives you the core Prius Prime experience, while the XLE and Limited add technology upgrades; the base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more convenience features.
• Powertrain: It uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, a plug-in hybrid setup, and front-wheel drive. It delivers 133 MPGe in electric mode, plus 55 mpg city and 53 mpg highway in hybrid mode.
• Safety package: Every version gets Toyota’s Star Safety System, 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, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a WiFi hot spot. An 11.6-inch touchscreen is available, along with a wireless smartphone charger and a 10-speaker JBL audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: It returns 55 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, and 54 mpg combined in hybrid mode, plus 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 trim that gives you the core Prius Prime formula without pushing the price higher than necessary. If you want the efficiency, standard safety tech, and plug-in capability at the most approachable entry point, this is the one to start with.
• XLE: This is the best-value trim if you want more convenience and tech without jumping straight to the top. It adds the features that make the cabin easier to live with, which matters because the base setup is already a little sparse and the infotainment is a weak point.
• Limited: Choose this if you want the most equipment and are willing to pay for it. It makes the most sense if you care most about feature content and want the most complete version of the Prius Prime experience.

Every trim gets Toyota’s standard safety suite, so you do not need to move up the lineup 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, selective-buyer market, so you should shop carefully and compare listings rather than rushing.

• Deal availability: 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 296 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.87% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 71.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,940, 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 $22,932 sits slightly above last year's $22,511.

That upward move suggests the Prius Prime has held demand reasonably well, even as the market has become more competitive. For a future seller, that kind of price stability can help support a stronger resale position if your car is clean, well maintained, and documented. The year’s modest gain also suggests buyers still value the Prius Prime’s efficiency and plug-in appeal.

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 rating from NHTSA and Good crashworthiness ratings from IIHS, with an Acceptable result in the small-overlap front-passenger side test.

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

Toyota gives every version of the Prius Prime 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, and it applies across the lineup.

The main caveat is the IIHS result on the front-passenger small-overlap test, along with Acceptable headlight ratings. Those are worth keeping in mind if safety is a top priority and you are comparing this car with newer rivals.

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:

• 35.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.87% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out for its standard advanced safety features and impressive electric range.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,584, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,932 average.
• It is built around efficiency above all else.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model year with strong safety, solid owner satisfaction, and a still-reasonable market price, the 2021 is the better default choice. If your priority is spending less up front and you can live with an older version, the 2020 is the price-sensitive alternative.

How does the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime compare to the 2022 Ford Maverick?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Toyota Prius Prime:

• Pros: Fuel-efficiet, Standard advanced safety features, Impressive electric range.
• Cons: Potentially polarizing design, Poor ergonomic design.

2022 Ford Maverick:

• Pros: Great ride quality, Excellent value for money, Standard hybrid powertrain.
• Cons: Older infotainment system.

Our experts score the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime 6.5/10 and the 2022 Ford Maverick 8.2/10. The Prius Prime leans harder into efficiency and electric-range appeal, while the Maverick offers stronger overall value and a more appealing ride. If you want the plug-in advantage and standard safety features, the Prius Prime has the edge; if you want the better all-around package, the Maverick is the stronger pick.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.