Had a unique opportunity last weekend to take both our Prii out on a weekend getaway. I thought this would be a good opportunity to see the improvement of fuel consumption of the 4th Gen Prius over the 3rd Gen Prius. It was mostly highway driving (probably 85-90% of the recorded distance). Speed limit was 110km/h (68mph). Yes there maybe differences in driving styles but DRCC was used for most of the trip by both drivers. Stats: 2016 Prius Touring (215/45R17 OEM rims/tires) set at factory spec 471.7km, 4.3L/100km, CAD$26.60, 21.798 litres (calc'd: 4.6L/100km) 294.8 miles, 55mpg, US$20.15, 5.759 gallons (calc'd: 51.2mpg) ----------------------------- 2010 Prius Technology Package (195/65R15 Nokian WRG3 set 36/34) 470.7km, 4.9L/100km, CAD$29.54, 24.171 litres (calc'd: 5.1L/100km) 294.2 miles, 48mpg, US$22.34, 6.386 gallons (calc'd: 46.1mpg) Basically, the 2016 Prius performed just over 10% better than the Gen 3. Keep in mind that the Gen 4 had the 17" alloys instead of the 15" alloys which reduces mpg and the Gen 3 had WRG3s which are different from the OEM Bridgestone Ecopias that came with the 2010 from the factory which may also reduce mpg. It's completely non scientific but I thought it was a fun chance to compare the two generations on the same trip.
Nice comparison - thanks. I just bought WRG4’s (new for this year) for our gen 3 - looking forward to see how they do in the winter (but I very much want to enjoy summer with them first!)
Your numbers for the 2016 are almost exactly what I get on mine with Michelin Defenders, which reduce mileage but ride much better than the Ecopias it came with.
I'm eager to hear your experiences on the WRG4. I like the WR and it's still my favourite generation. The WRG2 was a bit noisy at 70mph. The WRG3 doesn't do well in the rain or wet (non-snow) surfaces so I can trigger the traction control.
I found WRG2 imposed a significant mpg penalty, compared to the all-season Ecopia EP20 we ran the rest of the year (on a Civic Hybrid). To be fair, the WRG2 were on through winter. Still, I'd peg it at 10% drop. WRG3 literature makes a point of mentioning low rolling resistance IIRC, so maybe. As far as 3rd gen vs 4th gen mpg, if you look on Fuelly you see a definite uptick with 4th gen.
I thought Nokian claims they're all LRR but I'm guessing the LRR standard is a moving goal post. I don't feel that the WRG3 roll as well as the factory Ecopias. The Ecopias were also softer riding compared to the WRG3's stiffer sidewall.
For me, the Ecopias were fine. They felt much less planted and sure footed than the Michelin Defenders do. But they didn't feel unsafe to me as the tires that came on my Gen 2 Prius did.
Can anyone compare anything to the Dunlop Enasave's? I just went from a 2012 that had the factory 17" wheels that had a no name all season tire. My 2018 has 15" with said Dunlops and while the ride seems plush any on ramp or curve taken at even 50% "frisky" and they feel like they are folding over and sliding (which they might be) I guess I was hoping for a bit better, my only other experiance with "Eco" tires was from Michelin and they were great.
