Really considering getting one

You will just need a good set of dedicated snow tires. The Prius handles winter about as well as every other properly-equipped FWD vehicle I've had. Getting a package with stability control is a good idea IMO.

 

You've got to be careful about the source of statistics.

If there are 1,000,000 Prius drivers, and 0.01% of them don't like the way it handles in the snow and 10% of those complainers come to PriusChat to complain you've got 10 people all complaining on PriusChat about how bad the handling is in the snow.

Meanwhile you've got 999,900 people who are satisfied with the handling. A few of them might come to PriusChat and post that they are happy with the performance, but unhappy people are far more motivated to tell everyone how unhappy they are than happy people are to say they have nothing to complain about.

Really, you need to take a test drive in snowy conditions and determine for yourself if the behavior of the car is satisfactory.

Personally, I've never owned a car before that handled as well in the snow as my Prius. On the other hand, I've never had a car with traction control, vehicle stability control, and front wheel drive either.

 

Well I can't really comment on how it handles with good snow tires (i.e. blizzak or hakkapellita or what have you) but it's fine with chains in the snow . My guess is that with a dedicated set of winter tires or studded winter tires it would behave just like any other FWD car.

No problems in rain or sleet thus far either on the stock Goodyears either.

 

Try to rent a Prius with snow tires. If you can't then just test out the limit of the OEM tires. Try it in the city driving, highway driving, heater, passing power, etc... I can't think of what more you can do without snow tires....

 

Don't Prius's have really bad gas mileage?

Thats one reason i wouldnt buy one.

 

I think whether or not (weather or not!) you need dedicated snow tires depends on how much deep snow you drive in.

Back when I lived in snowy Minnesota, I had regular all-season radials on my FWD Dodge Spirit... and I drove through some pretty hideous weather with them, regularly. Once, in particular, I drove through freezing drizzle from Winnipeg to Alexandria... that was nasty... I drove 30 mph the whole way, but at least I didn't end up in the ditch (there were LOTS of those that I passed). I found all-seasons good for ice, and for some snow on the road, and dedicated snow tires better for deeper snow, and not so great for ice (too much tread on the ground).

So, what are your usual driving conditions? Ice, deep snow, slush? That's what will determine which tire you need.

 

Never been to Colorado and know nothing about it's winter.

My OEM tires did fine (including non-plowed roads) during the last winter and this winter in NY, so far. Last year, I made a video in the snow that have been posted many times here.

 

I'm in Nebraska and we've had our Prius since Oct 1, and in the last few weeks we've had a good amount of snow. The Prius did fine and we have the Original tires. Traction Control has come on numerous times but overall I thought the handling of the car was very good. I don't know what the clearance the Saturn has but that is the main difference I have noticed in the Prius vs the Minivan I had previously.

 

Hello, I'm in Nebraska as well ... did you notice any problems ground clearance-wise in the last storm? May I ask what dealer you dealt with and your experience? Decent deal?

Thanks,
Husker

 

Anyone who complains about the Prius' handling in snow either doesn't have snow tires or is far too used to driving something with AWD/4WD.

I just finished my third winter in Alaska with my '05 Pkg. 1 (i.e. no VSC) and I never had an issue, and last year we had a LOT of snow. I used the same set of Blizzaks on all four wheels that I have now, and they still have plenty of tread left.

Snow tires are all you'll need.