I was looking around at replacement tires for our gen5 prime. There are a lot of good tires out there, but very few of them are available in size 195/50R19. In fact, is it still just two options for all-season, Toyo and Michelin? Hoping maybe there are updates on tire selection that I am not aware of. We do get snow and ice in New England, so l am wondering what folks have found and/or can recommend in good quality, long lasting, low rolling resistance all-weather tires in size 195/50R19. And that don't appreciably harm mileage or EV range. I know there's a large group here that would say switch to 17" rims, but I prefer to just stick with the rims that came with the car. And, I do not want to use a dedicated snow and switch out tires, although I also know many here would recommend that approach. Thanks.
You need to resign yourself to getting stuck with $$$$ tires on 19" wheels. I bought a set of 16" aluminum alloy wheels and michelin x-ice winter tires for the same price as the 19" rubber tires only. I've been happy with the x-ice snow and ice traction and find I get really decent fuel economy as a snow tire. I'm in snow country and 3-season "all season" tires don't cut the mustard. To each his own.
You are probably right, maybe I need to face up to changing out the OE rims, although I would likely go to 17" as at least it is OE on the lower trim model, so just feels like it is a more sure thing for the car. I would be ok with Michelin Cross Climate 2, that would be good enough tire for my driving habits, though I do appreciate your point on dedicated snows, I just don't want the inconvenience of storing and swapping every year. As you say, to each his own.
The only choice I can give you for all-weathers is to import a set of CrossClimate3 in 205/50R19 from Europe. But the cost on that is almost certainly a deal killer for most people. (I'm very salty that Michelin has decided not to bring the CC3 to North America for the foreseeable future.)
Close up of the stock 19" rim: If I'm not mistaken that's clearcoat on machined aluminum? Virtually impossible to touch up curb rash. Our 3rd gen's body colour is Classic Silver Metallic (code 1F7), and I found by happenstance, the rims are identical colour. Get a little scrape, smooth it a bit with an abrasive fiberglas pen, wipe down, then brush a stroke of the touch up colour, damage disappears, barring a real close inspection.
