Is the V suspension different? C&D says yes..

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by CenVal

Not able to address your question. May want to ask the Prius Team or some of the senior members.

I don't have a definitive answer on the topic, but can say this. I took one test drive at the dealer weeks ago in a III. Took it through its paces esp hard turning etc.

I got my V in last week. It feels like a different car (well it WAS, but you know what I mean...). A bit firmer ride and of course tighter steering. But seems to be far less body roll and extremely crisp cornering. Not sure if it's all tires and steering. Almost feels as if the shocks are tuned differently as well. I was a bit worried about having a new car that would "wallow" around, but very pleasantly surprised.

[wave_slider]

Thank you Cenval. The question has been posed to me before and I could only say that I have not heard anything about a different suspension. I am getting a III, but I would like a firmer, performance oriented ride myself. Looking forward to any suspension upgrades coming in the future.

[eldiee]

I can tell you that our new V is a totally different animal than our 2005 Prius. It handles and corners like a touring car. It is better than a friends touring Prius.It is awesome to drive.

[CenVal]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

I got my V in last week. It feels like a different car (well it WAS, but you know what I mean...). A bit firmer ride and of course tighter steering. But seems to be far less body roll and extremely crisp cornering. Not sure if it's all tires and steering. Almost feels as if the shocks are tuned differently as well. I was a bit worried about having a new car that would "wallow" around, but very pleasantly surprised.

I test drove a II, IV & V. Big difference in the driving characteristics of the V compared to the other two! Ditto!

[CenVal]

Originally Posted by wave_slider

Thank you Cenval. The question has been posed to me before and I could only say that I have not heard anything about a different suspension. I am getting a III, but I would like a firmer, performance oriented ride myself. Looking forward to any suspension upgrades coming in the future.

Glad the information was useful!

[wvgasguy]

Some of you are a lot better at searching the internet and digging out information than others (me). Is there not a place where specific information about specifications are available? Things like spring rates, sway bar diameters, etc? Looks like there would be somewhere this information is kept or maintained?

I recently looked for the handling and performance spec's for a 1981 BMW 320i. I really wanted to do a thourough comparison of what many feel is an enthusiast car as compared to a 2010 Prius V. I'm guessing they are pretty close in most categories although the Prius would go about it very quietly whereas the BMW (as best I can remember when I was flogging it) makes a lot of noise and can get squirley on you). I do remember the smog days when sports cars had 0-60 times above 10 seconds. Now we consider that almost unacceptable in an economy car!

[Boo]

There are already quite a few aftermarket performance mods available for the 2010 Prius, including TRD Sportivo shocks and springs and a full line of braces, including a strut tower brace (which after I had taken a noninvasive look under the hood of a 2010, I didn't think would fit):

Sigma Automotive – Toyota Hybrid Prius 2010+ OEM & JDM auto accessories