Ecopia 422 plus vs Michelin

I also put the Ecopia 422+ on my 2017 Prius Four. From BJ's wholesale club. About 9 months and 30k miles in (I put a lot of miles on my car!). I haven't noticed the problems you state, but while it might be my bad luck, I have to say I've had at least 4 punctures to be patched and one tire had to be completely replaced when it had a 2nd puncture too close to the first one! Thankfully it was within six months of purchase and so the replacement was free. So I've been wondering myself if these tires are somehow more susceptible to picking up nails and screws. Thankfully also, the TPMS system does a great job of warning me when a tire is low.

 

Costco also sells the Michelin X-Tour which is the exact same tire as the Defender, just relabeled for warehouse clubs. They are about $10 less per tire than the Defender.

I have had the X-Tours for about a year and a half. I am very happy with them. I don't think 15" rims are the issue. We don't have much in the way of rain grooves here, just pot holes, so I can't speak to that.

After a bit more than a year and 11,000 miles, I got a puncture that was close to the tire edge and couldn't be fixed. Costco replaced the tire with a new one for a total charge of $14.16. Tire wear was so minimal that putting a new one on with the remaining three has not been a problem. Great service and great tires in my opinion..

 

Food for thought:

Better Handling On A Budget ! | PriusChat



Rob43

 

Haven't had an issue with any Bridgestone tire that we've run on any of the cars - several demo Honda CRVs, my Insight's Bridgestone Potenza 165/65R14, or the Prius' Bridgestone Ecopia 185/65R15. Bridgestones are great tires.

If you go Michelin, I'd recommend the Michelin Energy Saver.....if they can even be found in the Prius' size anymore.

 

I got the michelin defenders at 45k miles (at 60k now) and it does handle much better but my gas mileage definitely took a hit, even pumped up to max sidewall pressure. Had the original toyos and never really found the noise super bad. The defenders are great tires otherwise than the MPG hit. One may say that the MPG hit is worth it but it is annoying to get a few less MPG going the same speed than with the Low rolling resistance tires. Realistically I went from hitting above 60 MPG most every tank to averaging 57 or 58 a tank. Definitely 3-4 MPG hit.

 

That could cost $150 or so over the life of the tires but most likely would be partially made up by longer tread life for the Defenders. So, in the long run the cost issue isn't much. I do understand that it is nice to see that 60 mpg figure.

 

Toyota sets these chassis up from the factory with (IMO) A LOT of toe in, but if your prime is running the Bare Minimum of acceptable toe in it will favor tramlining. Take it to any alignment shop that gives a Free alignment check, get that printout and post up a clear picture of your results.


Rob43