Of course, if you just put larger tires on the 15" wheel model you would probably get the same result. Better handling and slightly poorer mileage.

We bought a touring model, because we did not like the floaty quality of the standard edition. We don't try to get great mileage and average 49.5 and have put about 5k on the car so far. Our first Prius, which I wrecked, worked its way up to an average of around 52. This encompasses all types of driving from smooth freeway to gridlock. So, I am always suspicious of the low MPG numbers posted by the official reviewers. I highly, highly recommend the Touring Edition.

An extra margin of safety by 3mph change in an avoidance maneuver? Huh?

What?? Are we driving this thing in a warzone?

How about the opposite conclusion? We're 3mph faster crashing into another car during an avoidance maneuver.

Safety is with the driver, not the mphs.

I'd like to see the entire results of multiple stopping attempts.

Let's see:

1st stop: 3ft shorter

2nd stop: Same as normal
3rd stop: 5ft longer (opps)
4th stop: Same as normal
5th stop: etc..etc..etc.

I'm of the opinion that it's the changes in the tire adhesion that would account for a CONSISTENT 10ft change.

I'd buy the touring model simply because of the taller tires (nicer look) and the firmer suspension.

ZC1

I agree more safety is provided by the driver then by these minor tweeks but the breaking I would have to agree with. Better tighter suspension helps breaking. Better tires help breaking. Breaking is needed when other drivers do stupid things and 10' can be a big deal.

How CR can get just 42 mpg out of the Prius I don't know. Driving it at 80mph??? Drag racing in the city???

Below is the complete written text of CR's Road Test of the Touring. (If I summon up the will to figure out how to successfully import the road test comparison charts/specs of the Standard vs Touring Prius, I'll do that later.)

Here are the points I found interesting:

1. Shorter 60-0 MPH Stopping Distance: At 143 feet dry and 152 feet wet, the Standard Prius' braking distances are subpar (they're only in about the 30th percentile of the 270+ current model cars CR has tested).
The Touring Prius' 133 feet dry and 140 feet wet braking distances are a huge improvement -- from subpar to very good.

2. Better Handling/Same Comfort: CR notes that the Touring has better handling and tested at 3 mph faster than the Standard in CR's accident avoidance/slalom tests.* Although this is an improvement, I think it's important to note that this did not result in a change of grades (e.g., from Good to Excellent) in handling or ride comfort categories. This comports with what I've read here on PriusChat from members who have driven both models extensively -- the Touring's handling is a little tighter and better; but its ride is not harsh and seems about the same as the Standard.

* Note on 3 MPH Accident Avoidance Improvement: The 2004 Standard Prius tested by CR did not have electronic stability control or "Vehicular Stability Control" as Toyota calls it; but the 2008 Touring that was tested had it.

3. HIDs Low Beam Inadequate: It's not described fully in the Road Test, but CR graded the Standard Prius halogen headlights as "Good", while it gave the Touring Prius HID headlights its worst grade of "Poor" because of the low beam performance. This poor low beam performance of the HIDs has been previously noted by several or a lot of PriusChatters.

"Road Test

The high-end Touring version of Prius has wider wheels and tires and a tighter suspension than the car's base version. Along with an option package including electronic stability control, this Touring Prius did have better handling and braking than a previously tested base model. It got through our avoidance maneuver 3 mph faster, which puts it on a par with some of the better-performing family sedans. It also stopped about 10 feet shorter from 60 mph. The main performance drawback is lower mpg: 42 vs. 44. However, the edge in performance could give drivers an extra margin of safety. We think that's worth the extra money.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The Prius's ride is well controlled and provides good isolation and compliance. The highway ride is steady and composed, but road noise is pronounced on coarse pavement. When starting, the Prius is eerily quiet if powered only by the electric motor. When needed, the gas engine starts automatically, emitting a low-level engine hum. The Prius is not particularly agile, even in this Touring edition, and exhibits moderate body lean. Its speed through our avoidance maneuver was commendable and improved from the one we tested (which did not have optional ESC) in 2004. Overall, it was predictable and secure in our emergency-handling tests. Acceleration is similar to that of most four-cylinder models in this class, although the electric motor provides more initial response on takeoff. The vehicle is classified as a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle by the California Air Resources Board. To conserve fuel, the gas engine shuts off when the car comes to a stop, starting automatically if you need strong acceleration. Otherwise, the car can be lightly driven under electric power only. The smooth continuously variable transmission (CVT) is responsive and the dash-mounted shifter is easy to get used to. The Touring Edition comes with bigger wheels and wider tires than the Base model. Our Touring test car stopped very short in both wet and dry conditions -- considerably shorter than the non-Touring model we tested in 2004. Although the brake pedal has to modulate regenerative braking as well as the hydraulic brakes, it feels quite normal once you get used to it. Low-beam Xenon (HID) lights do not provide sufficient illumination forward to allow the driver time to see and react to objects in the road. The low beams illuminate well to the sides and have very good light intensity. The high beams have excellent intensity and good illumination forward.

INSIDE THE CABIN

Interior fit and finish is very good, and the materials are high quality. The high seating position offers a good forward view, but the two-piece rear window hampers visibility aft. Taller drivers may find the pedals too close. The firm front seats offer good side support, but the lack of height adjustment limits thigh support. The roomy rear seat offers generous leg room for two adults. Head room and thigh support are both sufficient. Access is easy. A center dash-mounted display shows fuel consumption and which power unit is working. Most audio and climate functions are located on the steering wheel, but others, accessible only through the dash display, can be inconvenient to use. Cabin storage space is good. There are two sturdy cup holders, both front and rear. The 60/40-split folding seats expand the cargo area.

SAFETY NOTES

Front seatback-mounted side-impact air bags and curtain head-protection air bags -- deploying to protect both front and rear outboard occupants -- are both standard. They supplement required front air bags and three-point seatbelts for each of the five seating positions. Front seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors to help provide a comfortable and safe fit for the shoulder belt and are equipped with pretensioners to reduce belt slack in a crash. Front air bag deployment is influenced by the driver's seat position and an occupant detection system for the front passenger seat. If the occupant detection system determines that the front passenger seat is occupied by a child or if the seat is unoccupied, it will automatically disable the front- and side-air bags for that seat. Pretensioners for that seat will also not deploy if the seat is unoccupied. There are adjustable and locking head restraints in all seats. Front versions are tall enough, even when lowered, to adequately reduce rearward head travel and whiplash injury for most; the rear restraints must be raised for taller, adult-size passengers. Driving with kids: Both front- and rear-facing seats should prove secure in the appropriate passenger positions. There are three top-tether anchors on the rear seatbacks and lower LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats that are recessed but relatively easy to access.

RELIABILITY

We expect reliability to be much better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.

Tested model: 2008 Touring 4-door hatchback, 1.5-liter Four hybrid, CVT
Major options: Pkg2. w/VSC, backup camera, CD, MP3; preferred accessory pkg.

This road test applies to the current model year of this vehicle."

I don't see the correlation between a firmer suspension and fewer distance in straight line stopping under identical conditions with the identical car.

Having struts and springs and shocks that ride harder aren't going to enable faster straight line stops.

I don't think the base Prius suspension is so sloppy that it can't apply maximum brake effectiveness for another 10'.

It's the braking/tire/wheel system components that make the difference under otherwise identical conditions.

ZC1

Hi ZC1,

I think of two situation where a better suspension will help shorten braking distance.

On rough road surfaces, the better suspensions keeps the pressure between the road surface and tire patch closer to the at-rest values. Thus resulting in more braking force, before slippage.

Also, higher damping in the struts will limit the onset of nose-dive at the start of the braking, which will keep more weight on the rear wheel. So, one gets effectively 3.5 tires worth of braking force, rather than 2.5 tires worth. At least until the nose-dive sets in, and the down force on the rear tires is reduced.

Although the suspension has an affect on braking I believe the majority of the shorter stopping distance is because of the wider, higher quality tires.

Also despite no one believing me (possibly from denial) that the touring gets slightly lower fuel economy at least CR backs my claim.

Mike

Yes, I thought that was the other interesting point by CR ... confirming what you (and I think some others) have observed all along, that notwithstanding identical EPA mpg numbers for the Standard and Touring Prius, the Touring's actual mpgs are a little less than the Standard's.

Again the Touring may get higher fuel consumption but this is most likely due to fatter stickier tyres. Suspension plays a big part in braking performance, if those tyres are going to grip you better keep them on the ground.

I want the touring spoiler because I like the look, not for any other difference like handling because that would be wishful thinking.

I have an '05, there wasn't a touring edition when I got mine. Is there a really difference? CR review the 05 and being too responsive, now I'm seeing them say that it's too floaty/unresponsive. Have the recent model years changed?

CR reviewed the 04 Standard Prius, not the 05.

As far as I know, CR never said that the 04 Standard Prius they tested was "too responsive", nor are they saying now that it's "too floaty/unresponsive". The word "floaty" was used by jendbbay, not CR, and I think most PriusChatters would agree with that description. Where did you get the word "responsive" or "unresponsive" from? I don't see it anywhere in CR's review of the 04 Standard Prius.

There has not been a change in the suspension of the Standard Prius from 04 to 08 ... IMO the Standard Prius is still "floaty", has too much body lean, and handles below average for a car of its size.

I agree my 04 was floaty and it got a couple of mpg better than my 07 Touring does. Then again it might be the Touring Emblem I put on the back, slowing me down. My 07 Touring with pkg #5 with Leather added, does handle better than the non Touring 04, with pkg #4 (cloth unholstery). I sure would not go back to the non Touring. It drives and handles much better. I think the cost was only about $200.00 for the Touring in Nov .06. That may be the reason they stopped offering it for a while. They were losing money on the package.

I sure don't know the statistics between the without or the with Touring, but I am glad I got the Touring. We got 16" wheels and a larger spoiler in the package. If I had to choose to do it over again now at the higher cost. Yes I would still buy the Touring package.

I hear you. I think the Touring is well worth the price differentials.

At the pkg #2 level, the difference in MSRP is $895 (but you also get HIDs with the Touring, but not with the Standard pkg #2).

At the pkg #5 and pkg #6 levels, the difference in MSRP is $520 (HIDs are included in the Standard beginning with pkg #5).

i am kind of disappointed CR did not like the HID lights. they rated them
lower then the base prius

I too was surprised by that. Their main criticism was the short distance of the low beam, which pulled CR's grade of the HIDs to "Worst" (their lowest grade ... a big black circle). Some PriusChatters have complained about the low beam distance too. I'm wondering if the lights were not properly adjusted or self-leveling.

Touring vs. Non-Touring

Went to the parts dept at the dealership to see what the price differences were for the touring and non suspension parts.

According to the parts dept the Touring and Non-Touring use the same parts. The difference is only in the wheels, tires and spoiler.

Should I be confused... or, is the performance enhancement purely upgraded wheels and tires?

"* Note on 3 MPH Accident Avoidance Improvement: The 2004 Standard Prius tested by CR did not have electronic stability control or "Vehicular Stability Control" as Toyota calls it (no 2004 Prius did); but the 2008 Touring that was tested has it. "


Just as an FYI, my 2004 #7 AM package included VSC (vehicle stability control) and HID (high intensity discharge) lights. Love both of them. wouldn't have another car without them.

It seems the whole handling thing is subjective...depends on what you've just stepped out of to get into a Prius. My Pathfinder at the time was no slalom winner! The Mini my SO test drove was "way too fun" at the cornering thing. She bought our 2nd Prius...but it was a close 'competition'.

In the end MPG and practicality won out in both cases. We are as happy as can be, although a sunroof from the factory would be a nice touch before larger tires and "tighter" suspension.

I don't think the "Touring" model of the Prius is actually tested by the EPA since it has the same engine and transmission as the base Prius. That is why window sticker numbers match.

Just like on other cars where you can purchase different diameter tires in different option packages. They dont change the window sticker mpg numbers when you pick a different tire package.