Wheel upgrades ............go with 17's or stick with 15's ?

17s for me. Sacrifice in MPG is about 5 mpg or more depending on your driving habits and choice of tires.

One big reason I went with the Persona were for the 17s.

Good luck on your choice.

If MPG is important to you then stick with the 15s. If not, you'll be happy with the 17s. I am.

 

I got sick of that hubcap look early, at the dealership when we were buying. It was a case of "hang on, they're alloy rims, WITH wheel covers?". We went with "Touring" model with the bare 17" rims stock, due at least in part for that reason. It's a head shaker why Toyota insists on this alloy-with plastic-wheel-covers.

Anyway, I'd entertain 15" alloys as well, you'll likely lose some mpg with 17" and wider tires. And the ride is a bit harsher. We go through winter swapped from the 215/45R17 to Michelin X-Ice in 195/65R15 (on steel rims). The ride is a little smoother with the latter, and the feel surprisingly similar.

 

17's on my Persona.
Still get 50 MPG.

 

Must be warm weather and driving at low speeds. No hills etc.

I guess if you drive and keep it at about 55-60 mph, you'll achieve 50 mpg or more.

 

I think the 17's have a rougher ride, smaller diameter so faster tire wear( and my prius already eats tires on her 15's) and less gas millage, sooo for these reasons I would lean towards the 15's when I sell my 2004 and get a new prius. Dave owner 2004/2012 both have 15's

 

So the nice new wheels sit in the garage for 3/4 of the year? Why not put the snow tires on the old wheels?

 

I swapped out the OEM tires at 60000 miles. There are too many variables to determine the hit on the fuel economy by going to the larger tires and wheels. Maybe 5mpg, maybe 10%, maybe less. How long do you expect the tires to last? Over 60000 miles how much more gas will you burn? How much do you believe that gas will cost? Add up the numbers. Are looks worth more than that to you?

My opinion: Running 17" tires at stock pressure won't provide optimum handling, tire life and fuel economy. I recommend max. sidewall pressure.

 

Show us some pictures! I like those wheels. I had the same decisions a year and a half ago with the 15" vs 17". But driving 65K miles a year I had to go 15".

 

The 17's ride and handle much better than the spongy 15's.. strictly my opinion

 

I had a 2010 III with 15's and I always felt they were loosey goosey on the freeway. My 2013 Persona with the 17 inchers handles way better. The difference was remarkable.

 

Besides the wheels there's some differences internal, steering ratio, something like that.

 

I mounted an 18 x 8 with some 8 mpg loss but it's better than having my subaru with 15-18mpg

 

I've only had 17's since I bought a new persona a couple months ago as my first prius, but the car handles great. I've read so many posts from people taking about bad handling in the prius and I can tell you with certainty that my persona with 17's handles exceptionally. My wife drives it most the time, but she's been averaging 47.5 mpgs on her 44 mile round trip commute going mostly on two lane 55 mpg roads with rolling hills. Some traffic thrown in as well. I'm pretty sure the 15's would not give her 5 mpgs more.

LG-D801 ?

 

From other owners' experience, I think she would. You should be getting in the 50's with 15s

 

On rolling hills with very little traffic going 60+ mph? She doesn't brake that often and had to give it gas to maintain speed going up the hills. I mean maybe you're right, but I doubt she's be averaging 52.5 with 15's.

LG-D801 ?