LE / SE tire options (17" rim)

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by Templeton, Sep 6, 2025.

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  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    I'm very skeptical of that. FWIW, the only 5th gen Prius for sale with 17" rims is the Plug-In version. Non-Plugin, in Canada, it's gotta be 19" wheels, and AWD.

    WHY Toyota upped the wheels on the new Prius, ostensibly a fuel-economy centric car, is mind boggling to me. There's a guy up the block from us, carpenter/woodworker by trade, has a Ford Transit in the driveway:

    upload_2026-1-17_8-59-6.png

    It's got 16" wheels.
     
    #41 Mendel Leisk, Jan 17, 2026 at 11:59 AM
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  2. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    Looks like it's gonna tip over in a stiff breeze, lol.
     
    #42 VelvetFoot, Jan 17, 2026 at 12:02 PM
  3. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    They do have bigger front brakes.
    Base PHEV still has the same 17" wheels/tires as the HEV.
    19" wheels are just for looks. Although, those tiny rotors aren't a show stopper, looks-wise, lol.
    My theory is that the wheel covers hide the smallness of the rotors. But that's just a theory. :)

    upload_2026-1-17_12-11-14.png
     
    #43 VelvetFoot, Jan 17, 2026 at 12:16 PM
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  4. Templeton

    Templeton Active Member

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    Not sure about canada, but, in the usa, the gen5 hybrid LEs and phev SEs are all on the same 17" aluminum rims. And you can check part numbers, in the usa, all the usa gen5 phev priuses do all indeed have slightly bigger calipers on the front (likely because of the greater curb weight of the bigger traction battery). Although I believe the gen5 AWD hybrids also have the same bigger front calipers.

    About wheel choices, all other things being equal, a slightly bigger overall tire/wheel diameter is going to have less rolling resistance than an identical set up with a smaller overall tire/wheel diameter.

    However, all other things being equal, lower profile tires set up on bigger rims are going to give you more more rolling resistance than an identical overall wheel/tire diameter of somewhat higher profile tires set up on smaller rims (but this comparison of rolling resistance is only true if you keep the outer diameter of the tires exactly the same).

    My SE has 17" rims with 60 series tires which give decent efficiency and also a pretty decent ride. But, you are totally right, the higher trim gen5s with 19" rims (and the 50 series tires) are terrible in every way: worse efficiency and worse rolling resistance, harsh ride, and worse real world durability. I think toyota did the goofy 19" wheels because some people think they "look cooler". o_O
     
    #44 Templeton, Jan 17, 2026 at 12:16 PM
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2026 at 5:24 PM
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Ah, ok. Interesting.
     
    #45 Mendel Leisk, Jan 17, 2026 at 2:36 PM
  6. Winston Smith

    Winston Smith Active Member

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    I'll second the sentiment that the dealership not being able to re-use the OE 17" wheels with the new tires doesn't track. Brake clearance can't be an issue if they are the OE wheels, and several people here have fit 215/55r17 tires without issue.
     
    #46 Winston Smith, Jan 17, 2026 at 5:20 PM
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