Choosing new tires for your Toyota Prius really comes down to your lifestyle and how you drive. When Toyota first picked out tires for the Prius, they had a few key goals in mind: keeping costs reasonable, making them last a decent amount of time, helping fuel efficiency, and providing good performance. So the tires it comes with do a bit of everything pretty well. But let’s be honest, while those original tires are solid, they might not be perfect for you.
Do you mostly drive in the city? Or are highways more your thing? And how much cold winter weather do you deal with? No worries – whatever you need, we’ve got you covered. We’ll go over the best tire options that will work great for your Prius, depending on what you’re looking for.
Key Takeaways:
- For fuel economy, the Michelin Energy Saver A/S is a top choice.
- The Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max balances savings at the pump with good performance.
- The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack offers a refined ride but at a premium price.
- The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is ideal for performance and handling in dry conditions.
- Evaluate needs like fuel economy, wet weather traction, and driving experience when selecting the right Prius tire.
#1. Best Overall Tire for Toyota Prius
MICHELIN Energy Saver Tire – 225/65R17 100T
The Michelin Energy Saver All-Season Tire is a great match for Prius owners who want to get every last mile out of their gas tank. This eco-friendly tire can boost your already killer fuel economy even more – music to any Prius driver’s ears!
The secret sauce is Michelin’s EnergySaver Construction, which keeps the tires running cool – think of it like a tire AC system. How does that help mileage? Well, cooler tires mean less energy wasted as heat, so you can squeeze out more miles per gallon. We’re talking about saving up to 400 bucks on gas over the life of these tires! Not too shabby.
Now for the tread – it wears nice and evenly so you won’t get caught off guard one day with bald tires. That’s a wallet-friendly feature for sure. Less surprise expenses!
And the tires are covered for up to 55,000 miles warranty. For most drivers that’s like 3 or 4 years of smooth rolling. As long as you’re not curb-hopping every day, these tires will stick with you for the long haul. The sturdy interior construction means no weird tire issues either before they’ve put in the miles.
The grooves in the tread help channel water away, so hydroplaning isn’t really a problem. You can drive with confidence in the rain.
But, here’s the catch – snow. This tire isn’t exactly a snow warrior. So if you’re planning on tackling serious winter weather, you may want to look at other options. The Michelin just isn’t cut out for heavy snow duty.
The bottom line: For Prius owners focused on saving gas money and want even treadwear, the Michelin Energy Saver tire delivers. But it’s not the tire if you need to conquer the frozen tundra.
Pros:
- Boosts fuel economy for Prius drivers looking to maximize mpg
- EnergySaver Construction keeps tires cool to reduce wasted energy
- Even treadwear means tires last a long time without sudden bald spots
- 55,000 mile warranty covers tires for 3-4 years for most drivers
- Grooved tread helps prevent hydroplaning in wet conditions
Cons:
- Not well suited for heavy winter driving and snowy conditions
#2. Best Fuel Efficient Tire for Toyota Prius
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max Tire – 215/55R17 94V
Most run-of-the-mill tires out there kinda suck when it comes to fuel economy. They also give you a bumpy ride, struggle on wet roads, and are useless on snow and ice. But the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max breaks the mold. Let me explain why it’s different.
According to Goodyear, this tire has 27% less rolling resistance compared to similar tires. That translates to saving up to 2,600 miles worth of gas before you need to replace the tires. Not bad!
Now for the design – it uses a dual-tread setup. The shoulders have Goodyear’s Dry Tread Zone, which beefs things up for stability and grip in hot weather driving.
In the middle is the Wet Tread Zone, with water channels and grooves that kick water out from under the tires. So even heavy rain won’t leave you hydroplaning all over the place. And when it gets icy, this zone keeps the traction you need.
The 65,000-mile treadwear warranty might not seem as epic as what premium tires offer. But for a mid-range tire that saves a ton on gas costs, it’s actually pretty sweet.
So if you want a tire that can help your wallet and perform well in all kinds of weather, the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max is a great pick. The gas savings alone make it worth a look.
Pros:
- 27% lower rolling resistance saves up to 2,600 miles worth of gas
- Dual tread design enhances performance in dry and wet conditions
- Beefed up shoulders add stability and grip in hot weather
- Grooves and channels prevent hydroplaning on wet roads
Cons:
- Treadwear warranty isn’t as good as premium tire warranties
#3. Best All-Season Touring Tire for Toyota Prius
Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack Tire – 225/55R17 97 V
These are like the VIPs of tires – justifying their higher cost with awesome performance on dry and wet roads. And they’ll keep your Prius ride feeling smooth for ages.
Bridgestone went all-out with their QuietTrack tech to make these as quiet as a library, even at highway speeds. No more cranking up the radio to drown out road noise. And the cushy ride is so plush, passengers might even catch some zzz’s with the comfy cruise feel.
The secret behind the peaceful, shake-free driving is Bridgestone’s QuietTrack and Comfort Cruise technologies. The latter increases contact with the road for improved fuel efficiency – score!
They back these tires with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty. That’s like a personal guarantee they’ll be rolling with you for the next 6-7 years. The grooved tread keeps you steady in the rain without hydroplaning scares.
Now for the not-so-great stuff. The price is a bit steep. And the wet braking performance is just okay – could be better.
So if you want a super-refined drive and don’t mind paying more, the Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack is a winner.
Pros:
- QuietTrack technology reduces road noise for a peaceful ride
- Comfort Cruise improves fuel efficiency and gives a smooth feel
- 80,000-mile treadwear warranty covers tires for 6-7 years
- Grooved tread prevents hydroplaning in wet conditions
Cons:
- Wet braking performance is just okay, could be better
#4. Best Summer Performance Tire for Toyota Prius
MICHELIN Pilot Super Sport Tire – 275/35ZR19/XL 100Y
Picture this – you’re cruising in your trusty Prius and want a tire that handles tight corners with ease, gives killer steering feedback, and shuts up road noise. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport checks all those boxes and then some.
The awesome steering and cornering comes from the aggressive tread pattern and beefy shoulder blocks. There’s also a twin steel belt that keeps the tire stable when you’re pushing the limits.
For road noise, Michelin’s Acoustic Tech saves the day. There’s noise-absorbing foam in the tread to hush up noises from the road. Suddenly, even highway driving feels as peaceful as a lazy Sunday.
It has a 30,000-mile warranty. That’s crazy good for a summer performance tire. But there’s always a catch. While it’s a champ in dry conditions, the wet grip takes a nosedive. When it rains, this tire goes from hero to zero pretty quickly.
To be blunt, the wet handling could be a little better. But if you want a tire focused on summer performance, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is tough to beat.
Pros:
- Aggressive tread and shoulder blocks provide excellent cornering ability
- Twin steel belt enhances stability during high-performance driving
- Acoustic technology reduces road noise for a quiet ride
- Impressive 30,000-mile warranty for a summer performance tire
Cons:
- Wet grip and handling could be better
What Tires Does My Toyota Prius Have?
The current model of the Prius has four different versions, each with two types of tires:
All versions come with standard 15-inch wheels and 195/65R15 tires. The original tires that come with these are either Toyo Nanoenergy A41, Dunlop Enasave 01 A/S, or Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus.
If you have the Limited or XLE model with front-wheel drive, you also have the option of 17-inch wheels and 215/45R17 tires. The tires that originally come with these models are either Yokohama Bluearth S34 or Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus.
When to Replace Tires:
- Tread depth is less than 2/32 inches – This is the legal limit in most states. Check the tread with a penny test or tread depth gauge.
- You see damage like cracks, bulges, cuts, or exposed cords – This indicates tire failure. Replace immediately.
- Tires are more than 6 years old – Rubber breaks down over time. Replace even if the tread looks okay.
- You notice changes in handling, vibration, or noise – This can signal irregular or uneven tread wear.
UTQG Ratings:
- UTQG stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading. It’s a rating system for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
- Treadwear – Rated 1-200, with higher being better. A 200 treadwear tire could last twice as long as 100 treadwear tire, in theory.
- Traction – AA, A, B, C ratings. AA has the best braking traction. Important for winter driving.
- Temperature – A, B, C ratings. Indicates a tire’s heat resistance at high speeds.
How to Read Tires:
- Tire size – Shows width, sidewall aspect ratio, and rim size. Example: P215/55R17 (215mm width, 55% ratio, 17″ rim)
- Service description – Contains load index and speed rating. Example: 95H (load index of 95, speed rating of H=130mph)
- UTQG ratings
- Manufacture date – The last 4 digits of DOT code are the week/year made. Ex: 2218 = Week 22, 2018
Regularly checking tires and following manufacturer mileage recommendations ensures you maximize tire life and know when to replace them.
FAQs
What are the top all-season tires for a Prius?
The Michelin Energy Saver A/S, Continental PureContact LS, and Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max are excellent all-season options that provide a balance of fuel efficiency, durability, and wet/dry traction.
Which tires will give me the best fuel economy?
The Michelin Energy Saver A/S is specifically designed to boost fuel efficiency in the Prius. Other good options are the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 and Continental PureContact LS.
Do I need special low rolling resistance tires?
Low rolling resistance tires like the Energy Saver A/S can eke out more miles per gallon but aren’t mandatory. Many all-season tires balance efficiency with other factors.
What are the quietest tires for a Prius?
The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack and Michelin Primacy MXM4 are two of the quietest options thanks to sound absorbing technology.
What are the best high performance tires?
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4, Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06, and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 are top choices for handling, traction, and braking.
How long do Prius tires last?
Around 50,000-60,000 miles is typical but aligns with manufacturer treadwear warranties like Michelin’s 55,000 miles or Goodyear’s 65,000 miles.
How do I know when to rotate the tires?
Most experts recommend rotating every 5,000-8,000 miles to equalize treadwear. The Prius has a tire rotation reminder in the dash.
Should I get the same OEM tires?
The original equipment tires are decent but upgrading to something like the Michelin Defender provides longer wear and better performance.
When he’s not working his magic under the hood, Ethan Wilson is usually sharing his love for Toyota cars through his writing. Ethan’s got a special talent for breaking down complex car topics into easy-to-understand articles, making him a go-to source for Toyota enthusiasts everywhere.
