2025 Subaru BRZ vs 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Subaru BRZ screams raw, unfiltered driving joy, powered by its 228 hp boxer engine and engaging 6-speed manual transmission mated to a rear-wheel-drive platform. In stark contrast, the 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid offers hyper-efficiency, boasting an astounding 52 combined MPG and a 45-mile electric range to slice through commutes. While the BRZ champions dynamics with its diminutive 167.9-inch length and driver-focused cockpit, the Prius leans into practicality, offering 20.3 cu ft of cargo space versus the BRZ’s minimal 6.3 cu ft. Both carry similar entry prices, hovering around $33,000, but their missions are polar opposites: the BRZ demands premium fuel for thrilling engagement, while the Prius utilizes plug-in technology for significantly lower running costs and everyday usability.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
The Prius Plug-In Hybrid is the superior commuter due to its 52 combined MPG and 45 miles of pure electric driving range.
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
The Prius Plug-In Hybrid offers significantly more utility with 20.3 cu ft of cargo space compared to the BRZ's 6.3 cu ft.
2025 Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ is the enthusiast choice, featuring 228 hp, rear-wheel drive, and a required 6-speed manual transmission.
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Despite nearly identical MSRPs (around $33,200 vs $33,375), the Prius's fuel economy offers vastly superior long-term cost savings.
Choose the Subaru BRZ if...
- You prioritize the visceral feedback of a standard 6-speed manual transmission.
- Rear-wheel drive dynamics are essential for your driving pleasure.
- You seek peak performance horsepower, offering 228 hp versus the Prius's 220 hp.
Choose the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid if...
- You want to maximize efficiency, achieving a combined 52 MPG.
- Daily short trips can be covered using the 45 miles of electric-only range.
- You need practical space, as the Hatchback offers 20.3 cu ft of cargo volume.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru BRZ | Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 167.9" | 181.1" |
| Width | 69.9" | 70.1" |
| Height | 51.6" | 55.9" |
| Wheelbase | 101.4" | 108.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | — | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | plug-in hybrid |
| Horsepower | 228 hp @ 7000 rpm | 220 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | — |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed manual | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Rear Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/27 MPG | 53/51 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 52 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 264.0/356.4 mi. | 561.8/540.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 10.6 gal. |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | — | 140/115 MPGe |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | — | 127 MPGe |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | — | 45 mi. |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | — | 26 |
| Charging Time (240V) | — | 4.0 hr. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | — | SAE J1772 |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | 4 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 37.0 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 53.6 in. | 55.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 52.4 in. | 54.7 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 33.5 in. | 36.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 29.9 in. | 35.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 51.7 in. | 52.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 45.2 in. | 51.7 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | Performance | All Season |
| Tire Size | 215/45R | 195/60R17 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | ✓ |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru BRZ and 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid.
Which car is faster in a straight line?
While the Subaru BRZ has a slight horsepower edge at 228 hp versus the Prius's 220 hp, the BRZ's connection to its 6-speed manual and lower weight likely gives it the more exciting launch feel, whereas the Prius utilizes a CVT for smooth, continuous acceleration.
Is the BRZ compatible with regular unleaded gas?
No, the 2025 Subaru BRZ specifically requires premium unleaded fuel for its 228 hp output. Conversely, the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid runs efficiently on regular unleaded fuel, contributing to lower running costs.
How significant is the size difference between these two vehicles?
The Prius is notably larger, measuring 181.1 inches long and 55.9 inches tall, making it more substantial than the compact BRZ at 167.9 inches long and 51.6 inches high.
Does the Prius have better maneuverability for city driving?
The BRZ, being shorter and featuring rear-wheel drive, often translates to sharper initial turn-in. However, the Prius's front-wheel-drive setup and potentially smaller turning circle (typical for FWD hybrids) might aid in tight parking scenarios.
What is the real-world trade-off between cargo capacity?
The difference is massive: the Prius Hatchback provides 20.3 cu ft of space, allowing for significant hauling, while the BRZ coupe is severely limited with only 6.3 cu ft of trunk space.
More Mid-Range Sedans ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool