Goodyear TripleTred or Michelin HydroEdge

[FJRGerry]

It's time I replace the OEM tires (Bridgestones 195/55R16's) on my 2007 Prius Touring edition. I've nearly gone crazy researching the different choices, but have decided on either the Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds, or the Michelin HydroEdge. I'm going to replace with 205/55R16's since I think I'll get better handling - I'm not concerned if I take a small MPG hit. If you use either of these models would you mind posting your opinion?

Thanks.

[hyo silver]

I chose TripleTreds over Hydroedges, mostly for the better snow performance. They are indeed excellent tires. I haven't noticed much of a difference in mileage over the stock Integrities, but the handling is so much better in all conditions that I'd rate the OEMs as dangerous. I don't know why manufacturers go to so much trouble with research and design, only to cheap out on the most important part of the whole car.

[brick]

My wife has the TripleTreads, I have a new set of HydroEdges. One absolute certainty is that the TripleTreads murder fuel economy while the HydroEdges just beat on it a little. Both are excellent in the rain. The TripleTreads contribute to a nice, stable ride since they have to be had in a 195 treadwith (vs. the stock 185 which is available in the Michelin.) On the other hand the Michelins are much quieter (though they do sing a bit) and they still handle the corners very well. I haven't had the Hydroedges long enough to have run them in the snow but we ran the TripleTreads through a good storm in RI last year and they were excellent.

If you need snow handling I think the TT is the proven option. If you don't need to use them in the snow then I would go with the Hydroedge. And I wouldn't bother with the 205 width because you will be getting a much better tire and you won't need extra width to get better handling.

[Boo]

I'm happy with TripleTreds. I've put them on three cars now. They're also less expensive than HydroEdges and other premium passenger all season tires.

I can't compare the fuel economy of the TripleTreds against my OEM Integrities (or your Touring's OEM Turanzas) because I got rid of the Integrities after 1000 miles and I also bumped up treadwidth from the OEM 185mm Integrities to the 195mm TripleTreds.

I also can't compare firsthand the TripleTreds against the HydroEdges because I've never had the HydroEdges.

However, I know of two independent, third party, apples-to-apples road tests between the TripleTreds and the HydroEdges -- the one done by Consumer Reports in 2005 and the one done by TireRack.com.

Both tests rated the TripleTreds higher than the HydroEdges. And note that Consumer Reports rated the rolling resistance of the two tires the same.

Here's the Consumer Reports' ratings chart:

Consumer Reports Ratings Passenger All Season Tires.doc

And here's a link to the TireRack.com tests:

Comparing Our Top-Rated Passenger All-Season Tires

I understand that you're opting for 205/55R16 tires in part out of necessity, as there are very few non-runflat tires in the Touring's OEM 195/55R16 size.

Good luck.

[PriMPG]

If price isn't a huge factor, I'd recommend checking out the Yokohama Super dB e-spec tires. Just put there on my GenIII prius and not only are they enviro friendly (made with orange oil) but they have better LRR than either of the other tires mentioned here. So far my mileage appears to be the same as the OEM tires and they aren't even broken in yet. Good luck with your decision!

[djasonw]

I have the tripletreds and have not noticed a big drop in mpg. I care more about safety and the OEM tires (integrity) are the most horrible tire on the market. I too consider them dangerous. I like the hydroedge too but they are more expensive, noisier (from reports I have read), snow performance better on TT. If you're looking to save money, there is a tire on tirerack that looks just like the tripletred and the consumer rating is very, very high. It is called General Tire altimax I think. Have a look. The price is great. I MAY try those next time I need tires.

[FJRGerry]

Now I'm rethinking it again and may go with the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max. Oh the choices!

[jdenenberg]

Originally Posted by FJRGerry

Now I'm rethinking it again and may go with the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max. Oh the choices!

The GREAT Nokian WRg2 is available in 195/55R16 in both run flat (Do't, lower MPG as in all run flats) and regular (great MPG - LRR). Sorry to add another option. These will not only give you better MPG, but will give great traction in all weather conditions.

JeffD

[Aegison]

I haven't noticed it referenced elsewhere, so I wanted to note that TireRack.com has an August 2009 summary of road test results of several different tires -- all on a fleet of Prius's. The tires were 15", not the 16" touring tires, but the results are interesting just the same.

The tires reviewed were:
Bridgestone Ecopia EP100
Goodyear Assurance ComforTred
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
Goodyear Integrity
Michelin Energy Saver A/S
Michelin HydroEdge with Green X
Yokohama dB Super E-Spec

The article is at:
When Round and Black Becomes Lean and Green


My extended family has just put new tires on three different vehicles. A small SUV got Kuhmo's -- highly rated for that use. On a minivan and also on a sedan we put Goodyear Assurance TripleTred -- results so far are that these are great tires -- not just in comparison to the worn tires taken off, but based on other drivers' opinions vs their own cars with newer tires. Were I looking for new tires now, I'd make them one that I'd consider, even though they're not engineered primarily for low rolling resistance.

[mgb4tim]

I had the triple treads on my Deville - I loved them. Much better than the michelins I had been buying for years.