Skip to main content
CaralogyCaralogy
HomeBrandsRoad TripBudgetDuelGuides
Caralogy

The car comparison platform. Physics simulation, road trips, real costs.

Navigation
All brandsCar duelRunning costsMotorwayMethodology
Simulators
Motorway simulatorRunning costsPerformance duel
Brands
VolkswagenBMWMercedesToyotaTeslaAudi
FRENDEESIT
© 2026 Caralogy · All rights reserved
  1. Home
  2. /Duel
  3. /Sedans
APriusPHEVvsB320iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsPrius · 320i

Toyota Prius PHEV vs BMW 320i G20: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2023 vs 2019 · Methodology
ToyotaPHEVFaster

Prius PHEV

223 hp · 270 Nm · 1,540 kg · 2023

VS
BMWPetrol

320i G20

184 hp · 300 Nm · 1,460 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

AToyota Prius PHEV

6.88 s

Gap0.17 sin favour of Prius PHEV
BBMW 320i G20

7.05 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasurePrius PHEV320i G20Gap
0–100 km/h6.88 s7.05 s0.17 s · Prius PHEV
400 m standing start15.10 s15.12 s0.02 s · Prius PHEV
1,000 m standing start27.47 s27.81 s0.34 s · Prius PHEV
Top speed (electronically limited)262 km/h234 km/h28 km/h · Prius PHEV
Power-to-weight ratio6.91 kg/hp7.93 kg/hpbetter ratio · Prius PHEV

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

ToyotaPHEVPrius PHEV
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol320i G20
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StagePrius PHEV320i G20
0–30 km/h1.67 s1.38 s
0–50 km/h2.68 s2.44 s
0–80 km/h4.96 s4.84 s · tight gap
0–100 km/h6.88 s7.05 s
0–120 km/h9.75 s · tight gap9.85 s
0–160 km/h17.29 s18.13 s
0–200 km/h28.70 s33.99 s
400 m standing start15.10 s · tight gap15.12 s
1,000 m standing start27.47 s27.81 s
Top speed262 km/h234 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Toyota

Prius PHEV

6,91kg/hpratio better by 1,03 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power223 hpInline-4 M20A-FXS (2nd gen Dynamic Force, Atkinson cycle)
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 540 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearboxe-CVT (Hybrid Synergy Drive)
BMW

320i G20

7,93kg/hpcompensated by −80 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 460 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Prius PHEV hits 100 km/h in 6.88 s versus 7.05 s for the 320i. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 320i is 4 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 320i is doing 119 km/h against 121 km/h for the Prius PHEV. The gap is 0.11 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Prius PHEV crosses the line in 15.09 s versus 15.11 s. The 0.02 s gap represents roughly 1 m of track

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Prius PHEV continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 169 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Prius PHEV finishes in 27.46 s versus 27.81 s, with a 0.34 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 235 km/h, the 320i never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.54 seconds. The 0.17 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSToyota

225xe iPerformance vs Prius PHEV

AudiVSBMW

A4 40 TFSI vs 320i

PeugeotVSToyota

408 Hybrid 225 e-EAT8 vs Prius PHEV

AudiVSBMW

A5 Avant vs 320i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Prius PHEV wins (6,88 s vs 7,05 s).

Prius PHEV goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,88 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Prius PHEV: 223 hp, ratio 6,91 kg/hp. 320i G20: 184 hp, ratio 7,93 kg/hp.

Prius PHEV: 262 km/h. 320i G20: 234 km/h.