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A Tale of Two Summer Tyres/Tires

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by hieronymous, Feb 4, 2020.

  1. hieronymous

    hieronymous Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2012
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    Location:
    Auckland, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    My PiP is a 2013 JDM, converted by Toyota for the NZ market. I bought it Feb 2017, as new apart from tyres and the odo reading (17,500 km). I replaced the Ecopia EP150's with more of the same, and have driven another 22K kms.
    I have had excellent economy from the Ecopias, but indifferent tracking and cornering - after 2mm tyre wear the car steering often needed micro-adjustments, the sidewalls felt really soft. What to do?
    Last year I bought a Hyundai Kona EV, like all Kona's, riding on Nexen Nfera SU1's. Ever heard of them? I hadn't either. In the 10 months I have had the Kona, I found the Nexens to be more than up to handling the Kona's substantial torque, very pleased with them wet or dry. A few owners found they lost grip too easily, but I'm a steady driver and I didn't experience that.

    Along with Hankook and Kumho, Nexen is a major Korean tyre brand, and exports to 120+ countries. The company markets the Nfera SU1 as a Premium Sport Ultra-Hight-Performance tyre. It would seem that Hyundai has found this tyre to provide the best range on the Kona, in the same way that Toyota has always put Ecopias on the Prius models.
    In January I had a lightbulb moment, when I realised that the Gen4 hybrid comes standard (here) with 215/45R17 tyres. I then found this size had been an option for the Gen3 as well, though not for the PiP or Prime.

    The Kona Nexens are 215/55R17, so I immediately thought, maybe here is a replacement for the Ecopias. The 215/55 Nexen is 5% oversize - this would nicely take care of the excessively optimistic PiP speedo reading (+8kph over-read at 100kph).
    Checking specs for rims raised no issues, same offset, thread size, a little different sized hub-centering spacer. The Kona wheel size is 5x114.3, the Prius 5x100. Could I get a multi-fit rim that would go on both cars, with just a hub spacer change? Yes, I could..

    So that's what I have done, new rims and 215/55R17 Nexen tyres on the PiP (and Michelin PS4s on the Kona, but that's another story).

    After a month I have found:
    Handling, cornering and tracking are vastly improved. The PiP now handles like a modern vehicle. With my conservative driving I can get away with leaving the suspension as is..

    At 100kph indicated, the PiP is now at 97kph GPS, at 50 GPS showing 52 on the speedo.

    Relative noise testing (multiple tests) on smooth seal and coarse chip showed:
    Ecopia 58dB smooth seal, 65dB coarse chip
    Nexen (on the Kona) 56dB / 63dB split
    Nexen (on the PiP) 56dB / 63dB split - no change
    For interest, PS4 (on the Kona) 53dB/63dB split
    So the Nexens are a little quieter than the Ecopia's.

    Economy:
    My typical highway economy on Ecopias invariably has been in the range 3.55L/100km - 3.85L/100km, from my usual cruise control @ 90kph (actual). So far the Nexens have been in exactly the same range. Given the higher gearing, I'm guessing that freeway economy at much higher speeds might be down a little?

    Urban economy is something else. First, a 50km city run on main roads, round trip, speed limit 50kph, flowing traffic, but at least a dozen red lights. HV only. Trip kms and Trip fuel are accurately calibrated.

    upload_2020-2-4_21-37-18.png

    Next, at purchase Toyota suggested up to 26km EV range, and I tested that at the time - 25.9km. So that test again, after 3 years and 22K kms, now on the Nexens.
    upload_2020-2-4_21-40-6.png

    No complaints, those big tyres just keep rolling and rolling...!

    Finally, wear looks good - see this post from a Kona owner who drives 1500km/week on business. 72,000km, no issues, down to 2.5mm.

    My recommendation? I would buy these tyres again, certainly ahead of the Ecopias, at a good price of course. On the PiP I can't see any downside. And they are also available in 215/45R17, the standard prius size, though not in 15".
     
    #1 hieronymous, Feb 4, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2020
    Tideland Prius and Merkey like this.
  2. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2016
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    Location:
    Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    I knew of Nexen but didn't know anything about them. The other Korean brands seem to be well regarded these days too.

    I got Bridgestone Weather Control A005 (all-season) for my front tyres last year, grip and handling seems better than what I was using previously (Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance), but efficiency is suffering.

    I'd also recommend Hybrid Assistant which will display and log most of the things you have there.

    Interesting to see the JDM version has the same speedo overread as European models, as it's almost required in the EU - but I suspect US models may differ with this.
     
  3. SuperFun

    SuperFun New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2020
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    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I replaced the tires on my Gen III with 15" Pirelli P4s. I really like those tires, I've also used them twice on my Subaru. They were pretty inexpensive and they lasted a long time and got good rain/snow traction because the tread depth is deep at 12/32" 9.5mm when new. It handled way better. I had them for 46,000 miles 74,000 km (then the car was totaled otherwise they would've lasted another 20,000 miles or so) and they were still in good condition. I only lost about 1-2 mpg with them. To me the added safety and better handling was well worth it.
     
    #3 SuperFun, Feb 18, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2020