2018 Prius: Touring vs. No-touring

Mpg tends to take a hit too, with Touring. Personally I'm not impressed with 4th gen 17" rim appearance, it's colour, and all the plastic bits.

 

Our 2010 has the 17", and you can see from Fuelly badge it's not terrible, but it's acknowledged there's a "hit". I mainly just couldn't stomach the 15" wheel covers. Also, in 2010 at least there was some mechanical differences in the steering: we test drove both a 15" and 17" model, and with the latter I instantly felt "at home", the steering felt planted. The 15" had a more "vague" feel.

It's not just the wheels either: in winter we swap over to 15" X-Ice, and I don't notice a difference in steering feel, just a cushier ride, lol.

My understanding is that this variation is no longer the case though. If possible, maybe test drive both, to see for yourself, with 4th gen.

 

It's the balance, the 17" are what all the Press cars are, to give a good impression of driving characteristics.

Someone posted only in the last few days that he got rid of his 15" ECO tyres and put performance tyres on instead - then said "The car handles MUCH better, though, than it did before. I think it’s worth the trade-off. With the stock LRR tires, the car got skittish when cornering at speed or under acceleration. That problem has disappeared with the new tires." But - he lost what looks like 10-15% efficiency.

Drive the 2 - see which you like best. Here, it's not such a difficult decision, as the 17" tyre version is an extra $8,000 - nope.

 

The tire brands vary on each individual 15" tire car, likely dependent on factory stock. There are other suspension enhancements that can help increase handling performance, usually without taking an mpg hit.

@sfv41901 and others can advise further.

 

I wonder if he (or she) is just trying to justify the upgrade. I notice no difference, apart from cushier ride with the 15", compared to stock 215/45R17 Michelin Pilot MXM4 on stock 3rd gen rims. I did notice a difference, driving a 2010 that came stock with 15" rims. If there's still differences, I'd suspect it due to different steering ratio, mechanics whatever.

 

Firmer suspension then? Some of it might be the low profile tires too, they tend to rattle fillings a bit more.

 

Definitely rougher ride. On my short list when I bought PRIUS were a few cars which, if you bought the "top of the line" model with all the extras - you HAD TO take the fat, low profile tyres. In at least 2 cases, that absolutely ruined the car, though it did handle better.

But crazy idea - but marketing guys seem to know what people want, but they don't seem to ask the actual potential purchasers. The trouble was, the demographic for the cars was >50 yr old or even older - who would prefer a car which was quiet, smooth, but with all the gizmos, even if it didn't handle like a Ferrari.

 

I'd like quiet, smooth, Ferrari handling not required. All the gizmos? Drop-kick 'em off the driveway. Edgy, edgy styling, which equals insane repair costs: punt away too.