I need new tires again, whats the "best out there?"

I just replaced my Yokahamma Envigors with new ones. Got 65k. mi. out of them and am very happy with them

 

My mileage dropped when I went with the Michelin Energy Saver A/S. They were quiet and better traction than stock.

 

The Michelin Energy Saver A/S were the tire for the 2nd Gens in my opinion for max mileage. When we finally used our last set up I switched to Bridgestone Ecopia EP422s, the four rib variant vs the five. I didn't choose the Defenders for the exact reason the OP has experienced. While the 422s are not quite at the Energy Saver's potential for mpgs they are way closer than the Defender apparently.

 

me neither, i love mine.

 

Here are some of tire rack's recommendations.

Best Tires for a Toyota Prius - Steve's Tire Selections | Tire Rack

 

They are still producing them? Supply is just spotty?

Right now at Costco (for 195/65R15, 3rd gen size) I could get Energy Savers, the tire without the A/S suffix, a "summer" rated tire. In our stock 215/45R17 size I'm SOL, no Energy Savers (summer or all-season) available. The Energy Saver seems a bit of an odd-duck on TireRack, limitted sizes, mixed reviews.

 

i think the gen 2 is rare, or not available at all.

gen 3 is in stock every time i look.

 

When my last (the second) set of Michelin EnergySavers needed replacing (about 3 years ago) I found that my size (16") were in short supply, so I went with a set of Antares Ingens A1s for about ½ the price of the Michelins. I didn't need "All Seasons" (since I already had a set of snows for the winter months) and it was pointed out to me that Michelins, although they enjoy a great reputation, their tread tends to outlive the rest of the tyre, and I noticed that on my set of EnergySavers, the walls had started developing micro-cracks! - that, and the fact that they were about 60% worn, and, in snow, about as "useful as a one-legged man in an arse-kicking contest!" to quote our old Dad!
hope this helps - Wil

 

When I was looking at Costco, checking in 195/65R15 size (3rd gen), the prices for Michelin was quite a spread:

Energy Saver (not A/S): $176
Premier A/S: $130
X Tour A/S T+H: $108

(The latter are apparently rebranded Defender T+H)
(All prices rounded up one cent)

 

I don't like the Energy Savers enough at that price to buy another set. They cracked bad on me and I don't mean sidewall cracks.
Three out of four were bad and the only reason the fourth one wasn't bad was because I lost one and it was newer. I found the cracks while rotating tires. Would a tire shop take time to look at your tires the way you would?

 

Comfort or mileage.

Comfort: Kumhos
Mileage: The hardest tire known to man Goodyear Integrity’s. That’s the stock tire. Best mileage worst ride.

 

If I was shopping 15" that would be strong contender for me. It sure seems to be Defender, in all but name. Does the one X-Tour you have have the Green-X badge? It might be neither here-nor-there though, if they're trying to de-badge the side wall.

Our OEM's are 17", I actually have an extra set of 15" rims (PIP rims), but they will likely be relegated to snow tires when they need replacement. 17" tires are expensive, frustrating.

 

I bought new Goodyear Triple treads 2 years ago. Regret them they start making alot of noise after 10,000 miles. Rough ride.
Miss the Kumbo solar I had on there.

 

That's disappointing - I'd heard the Michelin ES A/S were one of the better low rolling resistance tires out there. I searched high and low for them and ended up with the Defender. They're lasting well and the mileage seems on par with my old OEM Bridgestone Ecopias, but the grip is far better.

 

The original tires on my 2008 Prius were the Goodyear Integrity. I didn't care for them and couldn't wait to get them off. I was always breaking the right front tire loose and seeing the traction control light come on but I got great gas mileage with them. At about 36,000 I replace them with the Michelin Energy Saver A/S and my mileage dropped a couple of miles per gallon. The next set of tires I put on were not low RR tires and my mileage dropped another couple of miles per gallon. Consumers Report did their testing of four LRR tires back then and the GoodYear Integrity's were the best they said for gas mileage and I agreed with them. My thought is Toyota put the best LLR tire on the Prius they could find but that is just my thought. They wanted the highest MPG they could get, it's about braging rights.

Check out post #13

 

Nobody recommends continental true contact? I was always wondering which is better between defender and truecontact. The truecontact is quite cheaper while offering the same 90,000 miles warranty. But other than that I have no idea which has better mileage, less cabin noise, better handling, etc. Is there anyone who can answer the question?

 

We purchased Michelin Defenders ( Costco variety ) for our 2010 last summer. Probably not the absolute best for MPG's. However, the fact that they are well regarded for longevity makes up for that. As others have mentioned, the Defenders do have far better grip than the Ecopias we had on previously...and a noticeably better ride.

Since we have to suffer through Minnesota winters, and our kids drive this vehicle, I also wanted something better in ice/snow than what the 'best' LRR tires can offer. The Defenders have delivered this winter...no problems at all in ice/snow. Now that they have broken in I'd estimate the MPG hit at around 2 MPG or so. Will have to wait for warmer weather to be sure.

Bottom line...I heartily recommend them!