As winter was approaching here in CO, I went to TireRack and ordered new 16" wheels and Blizzaks that are easy to find in this size. I hate the run flats that came with the car but will drive them til worn down.
@daisy555, have you considered a 2021 Prius Prime Limited PHEV with TSS 2.0 instead of a Gen 5 Prius HEV? Prius HEV is really a thing of the past with the BEV switch underway. Used-car prices have fallen a lot, and there is a $4,000 federal tax credit on used PHEVs and BEVs if the purchase price is below $25,000 and it is at least two model years old, as well as state, local, and utility-company credits. You will end up saving about $20,000 and then save on fuel costs by doing BEV driving. It is a win–win.
It would make sense for me if it was an actual rebate. I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of a tax credit. I would prefer 2023 Prime but I have no place to charge and the price is a bit steep for the people who are funding the purchase. I could make it work financially but I’m not crazy about the interior of the new Prime. I love red but don’t like the accents for some reason. Silly but it’s one of the things on my con list. : } What does TSS 3 have that TSS 2 doesn’t have? Time is passing and I can’t remember. Yikes! I know I want the car to assist with stopping if a pedestrian is behind me or jumping in front of me.
A used Gen 4 Prius Prime could still be substantially cheaper. TSS 3.0 has proactive driving, front side radars for protection at intersections and from nearby lanes, and improvements in LTA and LKA to detect objects other than lane markings, as well as many other improvements in existing functions. The following explains what changed from TSS 2.0 to TSS 3.0. You may need to right-click to save and then select keep. https://www.toyota.com/content/dam/toyota/brochures/pdf/tss/CFA_TSS_3.pdf Also note that the parking sensors will cause the car to brake if you come too close to any object while you are slowly moving.
True. Thanks for the details on TSS 3. I think you missed one of my previous posts from a while back (one of many ha!) It’s an inheritance situation and if I get an older, less expensive car I don’t get to keep the money that is saved on the purchase. With an older car I would save a little on annual property tax and insurance but I would be missing out on the new car warranty. I just wish I was buying a car that so loved the look of. Not crazy about 2023 Prius or 2022/2021 prime. Doing my best with what’s currently available.
I don't think many US Priuses have the front side radar. Afaict, they're added as part of the LCA+FCTA "sub-package" globally, and as such they're only in the XSE and XSE+ variants of the Prime in the USA. (And they enhance the other functions like PCS, plus you get a capacitative steering wheel touch sensor it seems).
Back with earlier gens, in 195/65R15, there were three itterations of Bridgestone Ecopia EP442, distiniguished in part by their countries of origin: Japan, USA and Mexico. All three had distinct specs, tread patterns. And yeah, exactly the same name... I'd check tirerack, see what it comes up with; your Bridgestones are likely made in Japan, and may be hard to come by in North America. Well, there is a Bridgestone Ecopia option: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=0&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2023&autoModel=Prius&autoModClar=LE&width=195%2F&ratio=60&diameter=17&sortCode=49588&skipOver=true&minSpeedRating=H&minLoadRating=S&performance=ALL
There are 4 OE tires: Toyo Extensa A/S II Michelin Primacy All Season Bridgestone Ecopia NH200 Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 The Toyota factory in Japan gets all four of those. But in the North American market, only the Toyo is available for aftermarket sale right now in both 17" & 19", the Bridgestone is available in 17", and the Michelin is available in 19". The Yokohamas are available in Europe. There are also currently two winter tires available in North America in stock sizes: Michelin X-Ice Snow (both 17" and 19") Pirelli Ice Zero Asimmetrico (only 17" and only Canada) Yokohama is making several options for Europe: BluEarth-4S AW21 (17"/19") - all weather - comparable to a CrossClimate 2 BluEarth-XT AE61 (17") - mild SUV BluEarth*Winter V906 (17") - mild winter Advan dB V552 (17"/19") - quieter than OE iceGuard Studless iG53 (17"/19") - Nordic friction Europe also gets a winter option from Toyo: Observe GSi-6 (17"/19") - Nordic friction Japan gets a few other options from Bridgestone: Playz PX-RV II (17") - more a minivan tire, but it would fit Newno (17") Blizzak VRZ2 (17") Blizzak VRX3 (17"/19") There are probably other options in other markets, but I think I've gone way more in depth than I should have already. lol
For the 17" in the US, the only current replacement options appear to be the Bridgestone and Toyo. Checking Michelin's site, they haven't yet released a Primacy in 195/60R17 to the US. Yokohama doesn't list a compatible tire either. Suspect they'll both eventually make it here, but there is probably little demand yet.
You're completely correct about the Michelin and Bridgestone in 17". I went back and rewrote my previous post with a big expansion.
While Pirelli's are "available" in Canada, at least where I live, no one has them in actuality. The Michelin's are easy to find. And the dealer had Toyo extensa winters as well for the 17" size.
I swapped abysmal 19" stock wheels for 17" Braids Fullrace A TCT with Pirelli ICE Zero Asimmetrico 195/60 R17 90H M+S - tires are quite noisy for my liking, but they stick really good, and they did not impact efficiency negatively ... they are probably even more efficient than stock summer tires Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51. For summer, I am planing some nicer Braids (probably Forged I+) and Michelin Primacy 4 195/60 R17 90 W.
2024 PP XSE in US CA. Came with 19" wheels Toyo Extensa A/S II 195/50 R19 88H Tread 2 steel, 2 polyester, 1 nylon; Sidewall 2-polyester Snow Flake symbol (M&S).