Compare the2022 Toyota Prius PrimeVS 2021 Porsche Taycan

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 Taycan 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 Taycan doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Prius Prime Limited’s standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Taycan doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

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 Taycan doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Prius Prime and the Taycan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 and rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Acceptable” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Prius Prime the rating of “Top Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 162 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Taycan has not been tested, yet.

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

There are over 6 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Prius Prime’s warranty.

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 64 points higher than the Taycan.

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 Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 19th in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is ranked 24th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Porsche is ranked 9th.

On the EPA test cycle the Prius Prime running on electricity gets better mileage than the Taycan:

The Prius Prime’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 652 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Taycan’s range is only 199 to 227 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 22 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 11 hours.

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 Taycan doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Prius Prime’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Taycan w/Rear Axle Steering’s (33.4 feet vs. 34.1 feet). The Prius Prime’s turning circle is 6 feet tighter than the Taycan Cross Turismo’s (33.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Toyota Prius Prime may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 1800 pounds less than the Porsche Taycan.

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

The Prius Prime is 9.6 inches narrower on average than the Taycan, making the Prius Prime easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Prius Prime has standard flush composite headlights. The Taycan has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Prius Prime Limited is quieter than the Taycan Turbo S:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Prius Prime a Mid-size car, while the Taycan is rated a Compact.

The Prius Prime has 3.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Taycan (91.5 vs. 88).

The Prius Prime has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the Taycan.

The Prius Prime has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Taycan (19.8 vs. 14.3 cubic feet).

If the windows are left open on the Prius Prime the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (Your Toyota service department must activate this window function.) The driver of the Taycan can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Prius Prime’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Taycan’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Prius Prime has standard extendable sun visors. The Taycan doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Prius Prime owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Prius Prime will cost $9355 to $12380 less than the Taycan 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 Taycan only retains 44.02% to 44.06%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Prius Prime will be $108462 to $131731 less than for the Porsche Taycan.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Prius Prime as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Porsche Taycan isn't recommended.