Question on Touring Package - 2010 Prius

[Benggolf]

Hello everyone. Am about to place our order for a 2010 Prius in Blizzard Pearl with either a Premium Pkg + solor panel/moonroof or Technology Pkg.

What caught my eye was the Touring Pkg but unfortunately we can't order it with the solar panel/moonroof here in Canada, otherwise this would be the right option package for me.

What I would like to know is other than the 17" alloy wheels/tires, are there are changes to the springs/shock absorbers, steering when you specify the Touring Package?

TIA for any information and comments.

[nola_Prius]

I believe there is a difference in the "steering box" or something like that... but honestly, I have no idea what that is exactly.
Of course, with the bigger wheels and lower profile tires, the ride will also be a little stiffer.

[eglmainz]

Originally Posted by Benggolf

What I would like to know is other than the 17" alloy wheels/tires, are there are changes to the springs/shock absorbers, steering when you specify the Touring Package?

My understanding, based on many threads here is that there are no changes to the shock absorbers, or suspension between 15" and 17" wheels. The only differences that I am aware of on the two, is that the 17" uses a brushless motor on the power steering parts, which was not installed on the early models with 15" tires, but should be shipped on all models shortly. The other difference I know is a smaller turn to turn lock ration on the steering wheel (and most 3/4 turn less with the 17's, and about a 2 foot wider turning radius when doing a U-Turn maneuver. You can search the other threads here for it, but I think that is the only difference technically between the two, as far as "wheel based" changes.

[a priori]

I'll agree with eglmainz on this: There is no difference in the suspensions of any cars shipped to North America. For cars with the 17" wheels, the steering is different. I forget the number of turns, lock-to-lock, but it is close to 3.5 for the 15" wheels and 2.5 for the 17" wheels. Other than that, I don't see a difference.

[Tideland Prius]

I haven't got an answer from Toyota Canada but in the US, all models get the same 'Euro tuned suspension'. There is a standard suspension setup available elsewhere in the world (e.g. Japan). I didn't notice a difference in ride quality btwn the two so I'd wager they're the same setup (just like in the US). The 17" alloys should give a slightly stiffer ride because of the tyres' lower profile all else being equal.

The steering ratio is definitely quicker on the Touring (great for the sea-to-sky highway). Do a right turn in the dealer's parking lot and btwn the two, you'll see the difference.