2015 Prius v (lowercase v) Suspension vs 2014 Prius v Suspension

Trim 5 has lower profile tires so the ride might be a little harsher.

 

Maybe you should consider an Avalon Hybrid, gas mileage is excellent and the ride, quiet wmf comfort are several levels above the Prius family. If however you need room for things like wheelchairs the v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon, as mentioned above) is a better choice. Also the price should be comparable.

 

The 17" rims/tires are certainly a firm ride with great directional control and stability, but not "harsh"

 

I've seen comparison books where a car manufacturer tells the sales force what changes/improvements they have made from model year to model year so the sales force can use them as selling points. Ask to see one.

There may have been front suspension changes involved in the changes to meet the front offset crash tests. But have never seen any forum comments on noticeable by the driver differences.

Tire pressure can influence the comfort level of the ride a great deal. A trade off of plushness against MPG. So if you rent, test the tire pressures before you go, know the tires and the tire size.

As soon as you are back, try the car at the trim level you want to buy and do the same measurements and mentally compare the two even on a shorter ride. Dealers mostly do not inflate to optimum MPG but rather for a soft ride. You could even ask them to inflate the tires to the same settings if you wanted to. If they hesitate, mumble to the sales manager about ADA and reasonable accommodation.

Wife has an Avalon, I prefer the v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon as mentioned above), she doesn't.

 

The years shouldn't matter. As rjparker said, Trim Level Five should have a firmer ride with the 17 inch tires.

New for 2015, you may want to consider trim level Four for the Prius v wagon - that will have a softer ride with the 16 inch tires, plus it will have the softex, power driver's seat, etc. However, it won't have the active safety features that are available on the trim level 5 (radar cruise, pre-collision braking, etc.)

For the 2014, there is no trim level four on the v - the highest trim level with the 16 inch tires is trim level three.

 

If you compare also note the tire brands. Often a Michelin will ride better than a Goodyear or Bridgestone. But that difference is smaller than the feel of a low profile 17" versus a higher profile 16". The sidewall rubber vertical size increase of the 16" provides more flex in the overall suspension ride quality, much like an air ride spring uses it's rubber air spring to offer a close to optimum, dynamically adjustable ride on some luxury cars. Regardless, the Prius v rides better than most of the standard Prius models and certainly better than the earlier generation 2 Prius cars.
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I have a 2015 v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) My previous vehicle was a 2012 Nissan Leaf which I really enjoyed driving. I also own a Infiniti QX56 SUV which is super comfy but drives large. I can say my Prius rides far better then my Leaf. Its not harsh at all and is very comfortable. I drive with the Family on 120mile trips often and everyone is quite comfortable.

 

I wonder if you bought the five and then offered a three owner to trade wheels and tires to get the 16s onto the five. Would have to be new tires and sensors but someone who wanted 17s might do that.

 

It would impact the speed readouts

 

...and, if you don't want your wife to ride in your v, for a REALLY firm ride you can do as I did and swap out the OEM springs for lower and 5% stiffer Tanabe (or Cusco) springs. Better handling and only a bit stiffer ride.

But then my handling mods including ENKIE RP F1 17" wheels and 5 model size 50 profile tires, 3 under-body braces, stiffer front sway bar and a strut tower brace. You'll have a lot more control if you have to make sudden evasive maneuvers.