Twenty years ago, the automotive landscape shifted as the Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car, quietly entered the U.S. market. Since then, the Toyota Prius has become synonymous with hybrid technology, selling over 1.9 million models in the U.S. alone by 2019. To commemorate this milestone, Toyota introduced the 2021 Toyota Prius 2020 Edition, a special model based on the well-equipped XLE FWD grade, limited to just 2,020 units. This anniversary edition celebrates the Prius’s legacy while offering unique styling and enhanced features for the new model year.
The 2021 Toyota Prius 2020 Edition is available in Supersonic Red and the new Wind Chill Pearl, and it immediately stands out with its black exterior trim. This blackout treatment includes black inserts for the 17-inch alloy wheels, blackout headlight components and trim, B-pillars, and mirror housings, giving the car a sporty and sophisticated look. Adding to its distinctive appearance, the 2020 Edition also features a color-keyed rear spoiler. Inside, unique “2020” insignia key glove/fob and floor mats, along with a black shift knob, interior A-pillar trim, and smoked HVAC vents further distinguish this special edition.
Beyond aesthetics, the 2021 Toyota Prius enhances its safety features by upgrading to Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard. This advanced suite of driver-assist technologies includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Low-Light Pedestrian Detection: Designed to help mitigate or avoid collisions by providing alerts and automatic emergency braking if a potential collision is detected, even in low-light conditions and with pedestrian detection.
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a preset distance from the vehicle ahead, even in stop-and-go traffic, enhancing driving convenience and reducing driver fatigue on long journeys.
- Bicyclist Detection: Expands the Pre-Collision System’s capabilities to detect bicyclists, further improving safety in urban environments.
- Lane Departure Alert: Alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane, helping to prevent unintentional lane departures.
- Automatic High Beams: Automatically switches between high and low beams depending on surrounding traffic conditions, optimizing visibility for the driver and other road users.
- Road Sign Assist: Detects and displays road signs such as speed limits, stop signs, and yield signs on the multi-information display, keeping drivers informed and aware of traffic regulations.
In addition to TSS 2.0, the 2021 Toyota Prius also comes standard with Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Intelligent Parking Assist, providing comprehensive safety and driver assistance in various driving situations. For tech-savvy drivers, all 2021 Prius models except the Limited trim now include Android Auto compatibility, joining the previously standard Apple CarPlay, ensuring seamless smartphone integration.
The Prius’s name, meaning “first” or “original” in Latin, perfectly encapsulates its pioneering role in the hybrid vehicle segment. The 2021 Toyota Prius continues this legacy as part of Toyota’s extensive lineup of 11 electrified vehicles for 2021, which includes 10 hybrid models and the Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). Other notable Toyota hybrids include the Corolla Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, and Prius Prime, demonstrating Toyota’s commitment to diverse electrification strategies.
The iconic silhouette of the 2021 Toyota Prius remains a key design element, engineered for aerodynamic efficiency with an ultra-low 0.24 coefficient of drag (Cd). Features like the automatic grille shutter, which closes when radiator airflow is not needed, further reduce drag and enhance fuel economy. Standard Bi-LED headlamps and LED rear combination lamps provide superior lighting while consuming less energy. The full-width glass panel beneath the rear spoiler not only aids rearward visibility but also reinforces the distinctive Prius design.
At the heart of the 2021 Toyota Prius is the Toyota Hybrid System II, an evolution of the original Prius hybrid system. It combines a highly efficient 1.8-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine with two motor-generators, managed by an electronically controlled planetary-type continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Power Control Unit optimizes power delivery and fuel efficiency, allowing the Prius to often start on electric power alone and seamlessly integrate gasoline engine power as needed. The gasoline engine itself achieves over 40 percent thermal efficiency through low internal friction and efficient combustion. The intelligent air conditioning system with a quiet electric compressor and S-FLOW mode, directing airflow only to occupied seats, further maximizes energy efficiency.
Despite its aerodynamic shape, the 2021 Toyota Prius offers surprising practicality. Classified as a midsize car by the EPA, the front-wheel-drive models, including the 2020 Edition, provide 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, rivaling some small SUVs. The XLE grade, upon which the 2020 Edition is based, comes generously equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, Safety Connect, heated SofTex-trimmed power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, Smart Key system, Qi wireless phone charging, and Toyota Audio system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility.
Continuing a Prius tradition, the 2021 model features a central screen interface with a 4.2-inch color Dual Multi-Information Display. This customizable display provides real-time data including Energy Monitor, Hybrid System Indicator with Eco Score, and various vehicle function readouts. Reflecting on its history, the original Prius marked a significant leap in fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA-estimated 41 combined MPG. Subsequent generations have consistently improved upon this, with the third generation reaching 50 combined MPG and introducing new models like the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and Prius c. The fourth generation, built on the Toyota New Global Architecture, further enhanced efficiency and introduced the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid and Prius AWD-e.
The 2021 Toyota Prius 2020 Edition not only celebrates the Prius’s 20-year journey but also embodies its ongoing innovation and commitment to fuel efficiency, advanced safety, and user-friendly technology. As Toyota continues to expand its hybrid lineup, the Prius remains a cornerstone, demonstrating the enduring appeal and practicality of hybrid vehicles in today’s automotive market.
