lowering springs and 195/65/15

Lowered my '06 with the TRD springs/struts kit and went to the 16" touring wheels and the widest, fattest performance tires I could get on the rims. Only a teensy bit of rubbing on the plastic fenderwell liners when the car would bottom over a severe bump in the freeway at high speeds. No problem at full lock doing a u-turn or like that.

I suspect you'd have no trouble whatsoever with the smaller wheels, don't know about the 17s though.

The car still won't be a canyon carver—the spongy HSD and numb electrically boosted steering will see to that—but it'll be better than before.

 

I had a bit of rubbing in the front when I ran Kumho ecsta ASX 215/45/17s. When I switched to the Michelin MXM4 s in the same size the rubbing went away. The Michelin s are a bit taller than my 185/65/15s so should be similar to the 195/65/15s.

I disagree with the idea that the Prius cannot be a canyon carver. With 17s or larger plus lowering springs the car can hit corners hard and fast. Add a rear sway bar upgrade and it gets even better. Taking corners at well over double the recommended speed is easy. I think Pintogirl's problem was the tall sidewall on those 16s. When I put my 15s back on the cornering ability drops significantly.

 

Just to give you an idea of the handling difference lowering springs and larger wheels can make. I could have gone much faster but I was holding my cellphone and trying to watch the screen and road at the same time. I don't have the upgraded sway bar yet so I, still have a tiny bit of body roll.