2024 Prime SE - stock Toyos must go

Drove a familiar country road route today, and concluded the 195-60-17 Toyos really are not delivering. Pressures were 39/37, so I think they will not improve. They are definitely BEHIND the Michelin X-Ice of the same size that I run in the winter. I will be going up 1% in tire diameter, and about 20mm wider (215-55-17).

I've been reading reviews and have got it down to four replacements. Would appreciate input from anyone with experience on these choices, or others that should be brought in.

1. Vredestein Hypertrac - seems a big favourite with many. How loud are they?

2. Vredestein HiTrac - seems a slightly updated version of (1). Anyone tried yet?

3. Michelin PS AS 4 - a bit more than the Vredes. Worth it??

4. Michelin PS 2 - priciest of all, and only a summer tire, but I've got X-Ice for the colder months. Also, lowest tread wear. Remember these from years ago on true performance cars.

Thanks in advance.

 

Well, I ordered and just got the new tires mounted. I chose the Vredestein HyTrac because they were very well reviewed, save 3 lbs per wheel unsprung weight vs, the Michelin PS4 AS, and cost less. Will post more about the changes noticed, but driving home from the shop I was immediately impressed with the handling (much crisper), and smooth road surface noise level (noticeably quieter). I did notice areas of damaged pavement are transmitted loudly, though, but maybe that's to be expected with a wider, heavier, stiffer tire. It will be interesting to see what the MPG(e) change is. If it's 10% or less I'll be thrilled.

 

A quick note in case anyone wonders: Totally love the 17 inch Borbets and Vredestein Hy-Tracs. The car is a little quieter over most surfaces (than the stock Toyos) and feels positively stable, even in some fairly tight corners. The V-rating is probably responsible for the handling edge, along with an extra 20mm of width. Had the first rain drive this morning, and the car felt "glued" to the road. I'd heard the Vreds were legendary performers in rain, so this was gratifying. The EV mileage hit has come in at 8-10 per cent over the stockers. Highly recommended!

 

I chose 215-55-17 for 20mm wider contact area with 1% added diameter. This, and the V-rating and lower profile improves handling and also corrects most of the speedometer error that is there (and is in almost every car I've owned!).

 

VI2, sorry didn't see your question. To answer, yes there's about an 8-10 per cent loss of EV range, a trade-off I am happy to make to get rid of the sloppy handling of the Toyos that came with it.

A bit more on the car's handling, now that I've driven a couple more weeks. My benchmark for comparing is my seat-of-the-pants memories of the 17 WRX I had. That car really shone in handling, with great turn-in, stability through corners, etc. The Vredestein's with stock suspension are about 75 per cent of the WRX handling. It's perhaps 40-50 per cent better in the corners than the 22 Prime with stock tires was. It's not a sports car, but is solidly in the "GT" category in my estimation. To radically improve handling further (talking track-level) would require more than better tires, and I don't want to fundamentally alter the car's basic characteristics, which are really more than adequate for the way I drive. The Vred's really shine in the rain. The V-rating and extra width are really appreciated deep into turns. Really, I don't think I could ask for more. And since I put on the X-Ice before the first snowflakes (in Canada, that means late October or early November) their all-season capabilities are fine for what I would expect to encounter with a freak early dusting of snow in the Maritimes.

 

Well, yes, but I still have the stock 17 inch alloys with the wheel covers, which hold my 195-60-17 X-Ice winter tires. I actually like the black ugly wheel covers for winter use, as they help keep some of the road wash off the alloys and brake components. The 17 inch Borbets I got for the summer use are about the same weight (maybe a pound or two less) than the stockers, and the 3 lbs savings is for choosing the lighter Vred tires over the Michelin Pilot Sport all season tires I was considering. Net-net, the new Vred/Borbet setup is about the same weight unsprung as the Toya and stock 17 inch Toyota alloys. I think the 8-10 per cent loss of EV range (and, presumably gas mileage too) is probably from the extra 20 mm width and the "stickier" tire compound.

 

Just a quick update on the Vredestein tires - still a happy customer. As the temps have risen in the Maritimes, the tire pressure has been creeping up from the 38/36 zone when temps were in the fifties (low teens Celsius), to now at 40/38 as we enter the seventies (20's Celsius). I've gotta say, the handling really firms up at 40/38. It is clear these V-rated Vreds start to really perform at that pressure. I'll probably leave them where they are, as we will be getting into upper seventies and eighties soon. These tires definitely over perform, especially in the wet.