The stock Toyo tires that came with my 2016 Prius are cracking and has a leak only after 32k miles (5 years) which is really disappointing. But I figured it would be a good time to gather some tire recommendations and get new tires. I live in the PNW where it can be pretty wet half of the year. Plus I go on gravel roads a lot for hikes. I was wondering if people have any recommendations for a tire that can handle those roads without sacrificing too much on mileage since I still do drive mostly on highways/city. I plan on shopping at Costco for tires if that helps and the options are Michelin Primacy AS, Defender T+H, X-Tour, X-Ice-Snow or Bridgestone Ecopias.
Ive honestly loved the Ecopia EP422(Japan made) that came with my Prius that i just installed the same ones a few weeks ago https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Ecopia+EP422+Plus&partnum=965SR5EP422PL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2016&autoModel=Prius&autoModClar=Two
Michelins in general are great for traction, braking but you won't get good gas mileage. Ecopias as mentioned got me decent gas mileage and do a decent job in many categories, just not snow which you aren't concerned about.
I just wanted to update this thread - currently available tires that are good for Prius Gen 2 as of Spring of 2022. I took the recommendation above plus some extra research and saw that the Ecopia's were spec'd on some new Prii? I just rolled home from Costco with 4 new Bridgestone Ecopia EP422+ Grand Touring A/S 185/R15/88H out the door for just under $450. Bridgestone promotion, installation, and road hazard included. My gosh these are smooth and quiet. It's like a new car. The reported fuel economy as reported by the multi-display unit is now at 50.7 mpg. That's higher than I've ever gotten by a few tenths.
Apologies Dunlop SP BlueResponse https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dunlop-Sport-BluResponse-205-55R17-95-Y-Tire/977574419
Costco - I bought the Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack tires for the its side-sipes, which I believe in for rain driving, and have been happy with them at speed in rains. They are rated toward the high-range for all areas of tire features, but aren't a 10 out of 10 in any one area. When I write 'rain driving,' I mean I'm doing 60 MPH where others are doing 45 MPH in substantial highway rains. They cut through the water well. I wanted quiet tires that did rain well, and these seemed to be an option. I would rather have had Michelins, but Costco didn't offer any Michelins with acceptable-sized side-sipes to allow rain water to escape the tread for my liking.
We've gotten 195/15 Dunlop Enasave 01 tires (which were OEM on our 2019 Prius) at America's Tire (in California, they're called "Discount Tire" elsewhere. Gas mileage is over 60mpg in mixed driving, 3 season traction (dry/wet) has been fine, have driven on some rough Forest Service roads with sharp holes and rocks (carefully). 42,000mi. to 4/32 tread, and not the best on snow. Will buy a 3rd set unless we can find something better that gets good mileage.
I'm on my 4th set of Ecopia 422+ at 230,000 miles. They were OEM on my 2016 and I've gotten 70k miles on each (save the one set I "experimented" with rotation on, it only got 55K). I drive strictly asphalt so I wonder if your forays onto gravel might be causing/exacerbating your issues. We get tons of rain here in summer/rainy/hurricane season so I doubt that is the issue. I get punctures in every set, 5-8 per, so far. Plug 'em, patch 'em too if they're bad enough, and keep on driving. I get 55-63 mpg (summer/"winter").
You are getting great miles out of those. I went with the Quiettracks. I doubt I'll get that mileage out of them, but then I'm not driving as slowly as you seem to be.
