I just got a new to me 2010 Prius II, was driving a kinda beat up 2009 Touring which I read the Touring package came with a tuned suspension. What a difference the touring package made. The 2010 Prius II feels like a floaty boat compared to the 2009 Touring, which I could just toss around corners with ease. Did gen 3 offer a Touring package? Or any kind of tuned suspension package? How can I get it to handle like my 09 Touring?
In the States, the gen 3 that came with 17” wheels? That’s level “V” in 2010~2011, and level “5” thereafter. https://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/Toyota/Prius/Toyota_US%20Prius_2010.pdf In Canada the level with 17” wheels is called “Touring”. We first test drove a ‘10 with 15” wheels, found the steering and general feel vague. Then, a few days later, spotted a Touring way in the back, drove it, felt much more assured. Maybe some of the difference due to first drive jitters, and because it was dark (evening, November). Anyway, we bought that second one. Notable: it has fewer steering wheel turns lock-to-lock, a wider turning radius (not in love with that), and purportedly some suspension variations.
240k miles but the shocks are good. This car was meticulously maintained. Yes it's very vague compared to the Touring. I think the 16" wheels and lower profile tires surely help but there is most certainly suspension differences also.
The steering feel of our ‘10 CDN Touring seems about the same, with 17” stock wheels, or the 15” Michelin snow tires (currently on Plug-In Prius rims).
It's definitely the lower profile. I went from 65R15 in my Gen2 Prius down to a 60R15 and just that tiny change in tire profile made it feel like a race car on the back roads rather than a couch.
