Prius in the wind

You're very welcome!

I have only a Kia Soul and a 2004 Chevy Aveo (as far as small cars) to compare to how the Prius handles…otherwise, I have driven bigger cars (my partner's Camry, a 94 Grand Prix, a 2007 Impala, and a 2006 Sienna)…so comparing a Prius to any of those larger cars would be like comparing apples and oranges

 

My daily driver is a 2011 Kia Soul +. My Soul handles excellent, has zero wind issues. My Prius is my occasional summer only driver. Can't compare it's handling to my Soul because of my Prius suspension setup. There is absolutely nothing wrong with driving a Soul in any road condition. I drive mine the 5k mile round trip to Florida every winter. Zero handling issues. The Prius Plus Performance package makes the Prius handle excellent. I am speaking of the full package, springs and swaybar.

Mike

 

How much mass and how many $$$ did "the full package" add?

 

Someone will have to help me on what the full Plus Performance Package cost. I bought my car in the spring of 2012. I don't remember the exact option costs anymore If it helps, I did get the Michelin MXM4 tires which by themselves, help handling over the smaller tires a regular Prius comes with.

Mike

 

As I recalll ~500ish.
Rear sway bar is 200-250, set of springs as much. ~100$ for alignment + Labour to put it in.
Personally I'd forgo springs as they reduce clearance
Sway bar is easy to install, about30 min with minimal tools

 

My impression is that our 2012 is as stable as our other vehicles in crosswinds, and on 2-lane highways was LESS affected by oncoming semis and other trucks, possibly due to the slippery shape.

 

It felt so different to me, but any stimulus of the five senses is subjective, it's just my Soul left us feeling like we were being beaten up from the wind after a long drive, especially when there were a lot of semi trucks on the road…and the Prius seems to be more forgiving to our weathered and battle scarred backs, spines, hips, muscles and joints.

We bought the Prius with Michelin Defenders on it…and they look like they were recently installed. If the Prius is this comfortable of a ride to me, the purchase of the Plus Perf. pkg should be a wise investment in making it an even better ride.

 

I Priused into the wind once; I'll never make that mistake again.

 

I must have a exceptional Prius 11. No handling problems at all. Wind dosen't seem to bother it any more than any other car I've had. 80mph down I35 straight as an arrow, good cornering and on curves. Handles much better than the Honda we had. Had Michelin Defenders on the Honda and didn't really like them. Good wear but bad wet traction.
Yokohama AVID Ascend tires we have on the Prius handle much better and better wet traction.