Toyota Prius vs Lexus UX
What's the difference?

Toyota Prius

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2021 price

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Lexus UX

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2026 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2021 Toyota Prius

2026 Lexus UX

By Tom White

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 1.8L

Inline 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

3.4L/100km (combined)

4.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Seamless hybrid drive
Incredible fuel efficiency
Comfortable and spacious

Solid on-road handling
Great fuel economy
Long time between fills

Dislikes

Polarising exterior
Dorky central instrument cluster
Not so engaging to drive

Reminds you too often its a base grade
Drive modes largely indistinguishable
Cosy back seat

2021 Toyota Prius Summary

What to say about the Toyota Prius in 2021? A car that was once a technology trailblazer seems now to have become properly retro, even while it’s still being built and sold.

The awkward-looking wedge, an eco-punk icon, not only brought Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive to the masses, it also debuted the brand’s excellent TNGA architecture and set the scene for the company's absurd hybrid success, which now sees the RAV4 version topping the sales charts.

So, after all these years (25 to be precise), is the Prius’s time finally over? Or does this quaint hybrid hero still have more to offer? I took a top-spec I-Tech for a week to find out.

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2026 Lexus UX Summary

Replacing the long-standing UX250h, the more powerful Lexus UX300h hybrid sits at the luxury end of the compact SUV segment, and the latest update brings a refined line-up along with tweaks to both design and technology. In this review, I’m looking at the base Luxury grade to see what it's like to live with this hybrid day-today and how it stacks up against its nearest rivals.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Toyota Prius 2026 Lexus UX

Verdict

The Prius can rest its weary head. The Age of the Hybrid has begun. Even though this iconic eco car might have lost its ultimate purpose to more mainstream models in the last few years, it’s still the best execution of Toyota’s hybrid tech on the market and if you can look past its divisive-as-ever looks, it’s comfortable and practical, too.

The brand’s Australian division promises the Prius will stick around in one form or another, so we’re keen to see what its next iteration will look like. Plug-in? Fully electric? Time will tell.

Verdict

The updated Lexus UX300h Luxury is a solid entry in the premium compact SUV segment. It doesn’t break new ground, and there are areas that could be improved, but it handles well, offers a thoughtful selection of amenities for a base-grade luxury model, and its compact size makes it easy to park almost anywhere. For buyers seeking a stylish, efficient, and practical hybrid with a luxury badge, it’s a dependable choice.

Toyota Prius vs Lexus UX What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota Prius vs Lexus UX
What's the difference?