17"Tires for a 2010 prius V???!! Help!

Local tire shop put on a set of Pro Contacts on a friend's Prius by mistake in early December. He hadn't noticed right away but did a couple of days later. Shop didn't have the Pure Contacts, so they let him drive on the Pros for a couple of weeks. I drove this car with the pros, and must say they were very quiet and smooth rolling tire, compared to the well worn Avids they replaced.

Pure's came in and were installed. Even with the larger snow friendly tread pattern on the Pure Contact, I found the tire as quiet as the Pros, so far. It's been pretty cold in this part of the country this Winter, so mpg differences have been tough to gage. On a couple of the "warmer" days we've had, mpg did move up toward what we would consider normal Prius levels around 50 mpg.

If we didn't have to deal with snow, I would probably go with the Pro Contact, but since we drive on snow at times, the Pure's win out. That's if you don't mount a set of good snow tires for Winter conditions.

I haven't decided yet. We don't drive our Prius in snow to keep the salt and rock chip damage away. The old Winter car (beater) gets full snows and is sacrificed to the salt and whatever evil chemicals they add to melt snow down to near 0 degrees. That stuff eats metal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

17's weigh more than 15's
You will burn more gas and brake pads using them.
Wheels are un-sprung weight.
Lower weight on the 4 cornors GREATLY improves accerelation and stopping distances.
It also affects cornering and suspension issues.
Bigger wheels look great but will cost you more than $$$$.

 

Have had 3 sets of Ecopia' s Love them
Trying some Kuhmo's

 

Anyone have experience with the Pirelli Cinturato P7 all season tire? Excellent reviews on Tirerack, they come in 205/50 17, are LRR, and with the choice of the 93H version you get a UTQG of 700 A A. Most reviewers note how quiet this tire is.

 

I have the 2010 Prius V trim, now at 104K and experience with a few sets of tires. I can provide some comment on my last two. I purchased the Yokohama AVID Envigor at 70K and I was not impressed. Wet traction seemed very average, and light snow traction was non existent. I literally felt every bump in the road, and noise was not at all muted. A barrage of potholes in the greater NYC area this winter finally destroyed one tire sidewall and when I went in for a repair there was very significant tire wear all around (at 30K for the tires). Ended up replacing the set with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3. These are very, very good tires. The wet traction is excellent, the ride is noticeably more cushioned (vs. Yokohama), and they are quiet. The tires are new, and mileage is down a bit, so I can't comment on MPG longer term. A great tire, IMO.

 

I have had bad luck with Yokohama's

 

Did you consider the Primacy MXM4 tire? I am looking for a set of 215/45/17 for my 2010 and have these in mind. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

Need tires very soon to replace the horrible Toyo's. Reading and considering everything here.

 

The brand new Continental TrueContact comes in a 215/45/17. I would seriously consider that tire as a replacement.

 

Thanks. Will add that to my list to consider.

EDITS:
Nice looking tire. Not a lot of reviews yet, as it is fairly new.