Tires size possible deal breaker on 2023 Prius?

People with model Ts might be happy in a few years Toyota should just go full hog
30x3.5 tires with 24” rims.

Scruge McDuck would be proud with the once and future use of large balloon tires.

 

In 16" (if it fits) 205/65R16 has a theoretical OD of 26.5". A fair number of options available in that size.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=205%2F&ratio=65&diameter=16&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&RunFlat=All

 

Nice. And includes a run flat too

 

Nice. And includes a run flat too

 

This probably makes the most sense for downsizing. I just wonder how much it will stick out from the fenders and cause additional drag. I really don't have any concept of how much drag coefficient impacts efficiency/range (specifically for EV mode), if that's significant whatsoever.

I'll be willing to eat a 5km loss if that's what it takes to get smaller wheels with standard sized tires. Hopefully the weight reduction in wheel size makes up for it.

 

5 mm.

Too, smaller diameter wheels tend to be lighter, and the smaller wheel is easier rolling because that mass is closer to the centre.

 

Typo in my earlier post, too late to edit.

 

I have to blame some of this on the tire companies as well as the car stylists and the accountants. I have a Chevy Sonic at present -- same tire size as the outgoing Prius LE, 195/65R15 -- and Michelin's new CrossClimate 2 isn't even available in this size anymore, as indeed a majority of tires are not. If I still have the Sonic and am still avoiding replacing it when it's time to replace my current but now-discontinued CrossClimate+ tires, I'll have to replace with Goodyear or Bridgestone; really my only two workable options for all-weather snow rated in this size.

If I do go for a Prius it will be with the 17s. No way the 19s.

 

I think they've lost direction, see the sales numbers dropping, and are looking to reverse that in all the wrong places.

In one of the 5th threads here someone asked about trailer hitches, which struck me as humorous. Toyota wants the sales dialogue to be about all the amazing new innovations, not trivia like towing capacity, spare tires, ergonomics, head room, parts cost.

 

why don't people buy prius?

it was always a market limited to tree huggers, techies and those that think it will save them money.

sales went up and down with gas prices.

idk if the changes will spur any sales, and i can't think of what would, considering the driving publics buying tastes.

 

For 195/65R15 all-weather, go with a Nokian WR G4. It's what I'm running on my gen3 with the same tire size. I don't know why Michelin dropped everything below 16" with their new CC2, but it's frustrating.

 

This makes me so nervous. I live in CT but most of my driving is in RI where the roads are a mess. I can’t afford to be replacing tires and wheels.

I guess I have to reevaluate my XLE decision. I was focusing on seat comfort and safety features.

 

Yeah stick with what you’ve got for a while longer, and consider alternatives. That’s easy, with the current “supply”, lol.

 

There are good All Weather tires in our size (195/65R15) from Nokian as well.

JeffD

 

who would have thunk wheel size would be the downfall of the gen 5 prius/prime?

maybe like the 4 seater, toyota will see the light next year

 

Unsure if this will be helpful, but I found a really great link to lightweight rims - if you want to boost that efficiency and comfort a bit higher.
https://www.gr-zoo.com/threads/wheel-weights-data.1896/
I wonder what is the correlation between rim weight compared to aerodynamic shape - at what point does aerodynamic shape prove to be more useful to the driver than a lighter alloys? I am probably overthinking it and getting to a point of "way too expensive for Prius", but I was quite a bit surprised you can get on pretty much the half of the weight of a "standard" alloy.

 

It is possible to fashion aero disc covers. People have done it using things like pizza pans. How easy depends on a person's skill set.

 

4th gen 17" rims took a a novel approach, and I think Tesla 3 base rims are similar: use a relatively spindly rim, and fill in the individual gaps with plastic inserts.

 

The 'rings' on past Prius models were always there for aero improvements.

 

There. Now I'm the guy that actually replaces his spare just because of age. Ordered from TireRack a couple days ago, it got here today, and I took it to a local shop to be mounted. My 2010 is approaching 100% mechanically and 98% cosmetically. Just in time to be replaced by a 2023 or 2024. lol