18" wheel opinions/reviews before buying

Mention anything other than the 15" factory wheels and tires and you hear all kinds of negatives. Nice wheels are very important to me. I replaced my factory wheels with the Prius 5, five spoke 17" wheels within the first week. I don't see an issue unless you go ultra low profile tires. Personally, I'd think 18" wheel would provide the perfect look for the Prius, but I haven't seen anything I like better than the 17" Toyota wheels. I don't see the need to lower my Prius, so I can't answer the question, 18" wheels on a lowered Prius. Once the sales guy talked you out of the 18" wheels, did he suggest any alternatives?

 

It sounds like you know the answer. Going to an 18" wheel is going to cost you more than an inch and a half of sidewall, and you'll likely be increasing the unsprung weight. Yes, it's going to ride worse.

 

OP - the 2011s were still fraught with interior noise and rattle issues (carry-over from the 2010s). By upping the wheel dimension, you will probably up the cabin and road noise factor (NVH) too, especially during winters.

 

As stated, I have 17" wheels on my Prius, with tire pressure 42 front and 40 rear. I don't have a issue with the ride quality.

 

Had 18s on mine since the first month I bought it, I think it rides fine. My wife drives it, however I went with a little taller tire and rolled my fenders. I am also lowered on Teins. I didnt buy my prius to ride like a cadillac, that is what my cadillac is for. I bought it to get 45+ mpg, and that is what I get.

Reference pic

 

Sandog,
That looks hot. Is it matte wrap? What did you do to your emblems, any close ups? I want to delete my rear wiper and change out the antenna.

 

Yes, it is 3m matte gray metallic. Getting ready to redo it in another color. 3m just came out with some new ones. The emblems in the back I just filled the holes temporary with hot glue, and wrapped over them. Cannot even tell. The side emblems I removed to wrap, painted black and stuck back on. The front and rear emblem I removed and wrapped behind them with carbon fiber. Hope this helps.

 

Helps a bunch. I think I will go spray my emblems with plasti-dip now. lol

 

I recently purchased a CPO 2010 Prius III with the Five Axis Design package, which includes lowering springs and 18" wheels. It rides significantly rougher than my wife's stock 2012 Prius II, but I love the looks and can put up with the rougher ride since I just use it for commuting. We use my wife's Prius as the family car.

 

I was watching HBOs House of Lies last night. Don Cheadle comes driving up in a black Telsa S with the optional 21" wheels. Great looking car and wheels. The biggest negative with larger wheels and low profile tires, they're more prone to wheel damage. The issue of harsher ride is overstated. Many cars with larger wheels are lowered, and that's the reason for the complaints, along with rough roads. With the Prius, many run higher than normal tire pressure than what's recommended. Ten PSI makes a big difference. For me, the 15" factory Prius wheel is too small, appearance wise. That's why I chose the 17" wheels with zero complaints.

 

Mine are Pirelli Pzero Nero 215/40 18. I'd like to see if I can fit a 215/45, but hopefully I won't need to replace these tires until next year.