Compare the2022 Toyota Prius PrimeVS 2021 Audi A7

The Prius Prime has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The A7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Prius Prime Limited has standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A7 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Prius Prime’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Prius Prime and the A7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Prius Prime 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Prius Prime for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A7.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Prius Prime’s warranty.

The A7’s redline is at 6700 to 6800 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Prius Prime has a 4000 RPM redline.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Prius Prime’s reliability 84 points higher than the A7.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 19th in initial quality. With 48 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Audi is ranked 14th.

On the EPA test cycle the Prius Prime running on electricity gets better mileage than the A7 55 TFSI e running on electricity (145 city/121 hwy vs. 64 city/74 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Prius Prime running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the A7 running its gasoline engine:

The Prius Prime’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 25 miles, 32% further than the A7 55 TFSI e’s 19-mile range.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Prius Prime uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A7 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Prius Prime higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi A7 (5 to 7). This means the Prius Prime produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A7 every 15,000 miles.

The Prius Prime has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The A7 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Prius Prime’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the A7’s (33.4 feet vs. 36.4 feet). The Prius Prime’s turning circle is 7.3 feet tighter than the A7 55 TFSI e’s (33.4 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Toyota Prius Prime may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 to 1400 pounds less than the Audi A7.

The Prius Prime is 1 foot shorter than the A7, making the Prius Prime easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Prius Prime is 5.8 inches narrower than the A7, making the Prius Prime easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The design of the Toyota Prius Prime amounts to more than styling. The Prius Prime has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .25 Cd. That is lower than the A7 (.28 to .29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Prius Prime get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Prius Prime uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A7 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Prius Prime Limited is quieter than the A7 Prestige:

The Prius Prime has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the A7.

The Prius Prime Limited’s Intelligent Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The A7 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Prius Prime owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Prius Prime will cost $4230 to $6255 less than the A7 over a five-year period.

The Prius Prime will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Prius Prime will retain 46.7% to 46.86% of its original price after five years, while the A7 only retains 40.11% to 40.89%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Prius Prime will be $46921 to $50380 less than for the Audi A7.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Prius Prime as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.