Tire Recommendation (Defender or Truecontact Tour?)

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Junepak, Nov 14, 2022.

  1. Junepak

    Junepak Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2016
    9
    1
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four


    After scouring the forum and reviews from CR and tirerack.com, I'm leaning towards replacing my 15" tires with either Michelin Defender ($100/tire at Costco plus fees) or Continental Truecontact Tour ($130/tire not Costco). I'm in suburban Chicago so would like decent snow performance with all-season tires. Was hoping to get some feedback on which one you would recommend.

    Cheers
     
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,709
    1,740
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    If you want decent snow performance do not buy "All Season Tires" buy a set of "All Weather Tires". There are several models available from a few manufacturers. My favorite is the WR series by Nokian (Finland, not offered or reviewed by tire rack).

    JeffD
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Patron saint of newly poured sidewalks

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    51,273
    36,372
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    If you opt for the Defender (T+H, whatever that stands for...), Michelin X-Tour, also sold by Costco, are supposedly the same tire, and a little cheaper.
     
    Pulse07 likes this.
  4. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2020
    253
    132
    0
    Location:
    East Bay, California
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e
    Thats correct. The X Tour is a Costco exclusive supposed to be the Costco Exclusive "Defender". But if you want snow traction get the Michelin CrossClimate , three mountain peak rating.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  5. Junepak

    Junepak Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2016
    9
    1
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Do you have any idea how much of an impact, CrossClimates will have on gas mileage (mpg) during non-winter driving?
     
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,709
    1,740
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
Loading...