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Gen 4 Prius w/17 inch wheels must be Touring model w/ upgraded suspension? Also 2017 Sonar/BSM

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by DC_2004_Prius, Sep 29, 2019.

  1. DC_2004_Prius

    DC_2004_Prius Member

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    Or is it possible to get a 2017-2019 gen 4 Prius with the 5 spoke 17 inch alloy rims and lower profile tires - but it isn't touring and doesn't have the suspension upgrade?

    Could any of the used Prius's I"m seeing online that do not say touring - but do show the 17" rims - mean they are mislabled and they have to be either 3 or 4 touring models?

    THanks for any help. Looking at Gen 4 Prius's and really like the feel/handling of the 3 touring I drove - and wonder if this suspension/wheel only comes in Touring models for 2017-2019 ?

    Also - when Toyota made the Intelligent Clearance Sonar and Blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert - standard on all models - how do I know this is the case on a used prius? Does any Gen 4 with "blind spot monitor" mean it must have all of those advances/side sonar that was only part of the advanced technology package ATP before mid 2017?

    thanks in advance.
     
    #1 DC_2004_Prius, Sep 29, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2019
  2. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    The Features tables in the Prius sales brochures for 2017 (PDF), 2018 (PDF), and 2019 (PDF) will answer many of your questions, at least for cars that were built for sale in the U.S. mainland.
    The 17-inch wheels and “touring-specific suspension” were always sold together on the Touring (2016–2018) or XLE and Limited (2019–2020) models.
    That’s the most likely explanation, but Toyota or aftermarket 17-inch wheels could have been installed after the car was delivered, of course.
    The best way to verify the grade (trim level) and factory-installed equipment is to enter the VIN on Toyota’s Vehicle Specification page. This doesn’t work for cars from Hawaii, however.
     
    #2 Elektroingenieur, Sep 29, 2019
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  3. DC_2004_Prius

    DC_2004_Prius Member

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    THank you Elektroingenieur. So someone could have upgraded to 17 inch rims on a regular 3 or 4 but not have the higher level suspension of the Touring models? Wonder what that drive/response is like if that's the case?

    In regards to the addition of the Sonar/Blind Spot/parking assist as standard features beginning in mid 2017 - if a car lists any of these - it means it has everything related to the sonar sensors/blind spot/side/rear collision avoidance/warning - that was previously only with the ATP (advanced technology package)?
     
    #3 DC_2004_Prius, Sep 29, 2019
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Very easily.

    Not sure with 4th gen. FWIW, when we were shopping for a 2010, we did an initial test drive in (the CDN equiv. to) a level V (aka 5), with 15" rims. Maybe first drive jitters, maybe because it was after dark, but I did not feel that comfortable driving that car. The steering felt somewhat disconnected, hard to explain.

    A day or two later we went back and wandered around the lot. Way in back of a storage shed we found a Touring model, with the 17" rims, and suspension/steering differences. They dug it out and we did another test drive, and I felt right at home; the steering felt natural and easy.

    Also: every fall I swap over to 15" snow tires, but the steering feels about the same.

    Again, this is 3rd gen.

    As to your question: I would research all the differences between Touring and non-Touring, look for other clues.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Sep 29, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2019
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  5. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    You’re welcome, and I have no idea. I bought my Three Touring because it was the only grade that had both SofTex seats and a spare tire, and at the time, they were plentiful in dealer inventory.
    Perhaps, but if these features are important to you, I’d check on the specific vehicle. Intelligent Clearance Sonar, and on some grades, Blind Spot Monitor, were actually part of zero-cost option packages, which might conceivably have been omitted from cars built for fleet customers or for other reasons.
     
    #5 Elektroingenieur, Sep 29, 2019
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  6. sorka

    sorka Active Member

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    Pretty sure the 16-18 "Touring" models will have the upgraded suspension.

    The 19-20 just says Limited so I wouldn't be surprised if the Limited just as the 17" wheels with the regular suspension. My 2019 Limited feels nowhere near as firm as my 2009 Touring but it does seem to handle the corners better even though it feels softer. Probably due to the improved suspension geometry in the rear compared to 2nd gen.
     
    #6 sorka, Sep 29, 2019
  7. srbinoki

    srbinoki Junior Member

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    Look for fog lights in addition to the factory 17” wheels to help identify a true Touring model. Also, the rear bumper valance is different.


    iPhone ?
     
    #7 srbinoki, Sep 30, 2019
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  8. sorka

    sorka Active Member

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    ...and the 2019 Limited doesn't have the fogs or accent lights.
     
    #8 sorka, Sep 30, 2019
  9. srbinoki

    srbinoki Junior Member

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    My post is for 2016-2018 model years only. Discrepancy noted.


    iPhone ?
     
    #9 srbinoki, Oct 1, 2019
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