for all Gen 4 owners, please comment on your new prius's noise and comfort level compare to a gen 3. I have heard that Toyota have done NVH improvement onto this chassis. But real world experience will be always different. I appreciate your input.
Seems to be a very subjektive experience! Some reviewers noticed a big improvement while others said it's only marginal noticeable. If it's only a slight improvement it would be a bit dissapointing,because Toyota claimed in their teaser videos it even surpasses quietness of luxury vehicles. Maybe it also depends on the wheels you have,the 15- or 17" !? A big weakness gen 3 . has is the poor insulation,if any,of the wheel housing and therefore a great deal of tyre noise . I know they improved the floor insulation,but to be honest I haven't read a word about improvement on wheel housing insulation .
My Gen-4 Prius 3 has Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 plus tires (P195/65R15) and another member with a Prius 2 eco indicated they have the same tires.
In Japan, the trims with the 17" are equipped with a never seen before Toyo Nanoenergy R41 , i'm wondering if kitkit Prius 4 "flat" have the same Toyo R41 line but 15" + BigFan request. Oddly enough, the 17" Prius alloy wheel is a RONAL R41.
@Maxwell61 Maybe a modified Ronal R41? There's some spy shots with bare 17" rims, showing some (very utilitarian) lugs at each spoke, presumably to hold the plastic pieces. Hopefully some 4th gen touring owners'll post pics, rim with plastic removed.
Very likely. Same thing for those Toyo tires that seems customized for Toyota: at the moment does'nt exist any trace on the web for any Toyo Nanoenergy R41 or Nanoenergy A29. The Nano R41 thread design seems a close fit of my Nanoenergy 2, which is excellent news for rolling resistance (not so good news for wet grip) don't know for those A29 posted because you can't see the threads.
My new 2016 Two Eco has the same Toyo Nanoenergy tires. My 110 mile trip home from the dealer was enough to put these on my short list of things to replace with a better quality. They resonate into the cabin much more than any tire I had on my 05 , Michelin fuel saver, X radial or the GY Integrity.
Makes sense, 30% stiffer around the doors and tires that don't absorbe as much energy, seems buyers beware, it you want to feel like your driving a rolls, get a rolls, if you want 55+ mpg, get a gen4 Eco
Yes, my tires are also Toyo Nanoenergy A29 and I find them loud after going past 40mph. I've had Energy Saver X before and I can say these are louders.
Not sure what tires I have on my 2016 4 Touring, but the cabin is MUCH quieter than my wife's 2010. Of note, my car lacks the spare and apart from a few cavities, the filler piece under he carpet has a great deal of sound deadening material. Not sure how much cabin noise comes from the rear, but that has to make a difference.
