Even though there have been a massive surge of popularity for electric and hybrid cars in the recent years, Toyota Prius remains one of the most iconic environmentally-friendly cars made yet. Despite that, Prius poses as challenge as to what tires one should pick for it.
Obviously, your first thought would fall on economical and fuel-saving tires, but they aren’t always as efficient as usual touring tires, and you shouldn’t forget about the role of your Prius as a vehicle. Fortunately, there are many options that combine these two aspects in one way or another.
Michelin Energy Saver AS
Upsides:
- Great dry and wet performance;
- Lessened fuel consumption;
- Comfort and quiet;
- Decent handling
Downsides:
- None
As far as touring tires go, Michelin Energy Saver is one of the few that can offer you both great road performance and valuable fuel efficiency. In dry and wet environments, they are more reliable and even some non-saving tires, and that’s saying something. It also applies to handling – the tires are very responsive.
Moreover, Michelin also cared about adding comfort and smoothness to this experience. As a result, Energy Saver doesn’t produce too much noise and generally behaves like a well-mannered tire, if you catch the meaning.
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
Upsides:
- Great dry performance;
- Awesome wet performance;
- Comfort;
- Lessened fuel consumption
Downsides:
- None
Fuel Max is a summer-oriented all-season touring tire. Obviously, one of the main advantages of this product is that its rolling resistance has been substantially reduced. This, in turn, lets it consume fuel on a smaller scale and reduce emissions – good for environment, in short.
From practical aspect, they are very good as a dry road solution and an especially nice tire when it comes to rainy weather. The pattern was especially tailored for hydroplaning removal, for some reason. As a result, wet traction is almost on par with dry grip. And, as a cherry on top, it also drives comfortably.
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus
Upsides:
- Fuel efficiency;
- Great wet and dry grip;
- Comfort and lack of noise;
- Durability
Downsides:
- Noise;
- Cost
Now, Ecopia is one of the costlier ecological treads. Bridgestone enhanced the composition to retain its road performance, while still allowing it to be neat in terms of road resistance.
This lead to an effective combination of decent overall traction and massively reduced carbon emissions. From characteristics alone, this tire is optimal for hybrid drivers. However, it should be noted that it’s also costlier than most tires on this list. But at least you get decent longevity for your money – around 115,000 km in total.
Hankook Kinergy ST H735 AS
Upsides:
- Comfort and quiet;
- Outstanding wet and dry performance;
- Ecologically sound;
- Great handling;
- Durability
Downsides:
- None
Kinergy is a bit more shifted to performance rather than comfort and fuel saving. It’s still very comfortable, quiet and emits less carbon than any touring tire, but Hankook also banked heavily on performance – especially wet performance.
They added a lot of sipes and grooves meant to improve hydroplaning. This same pattern also provides biting edge and necessary grip for dry driving. In this field, they are actually better than some performance touring tires, especially in terms of control and handling.
Furthermore, they are going to last for at least 120,000 km – great for a fuel-saving tire.
Yokohama Avid Ascend GT
Upsides:
- Outstanding summer grip;
- Decent winter grip;
- Great handling;
- Fuel efficiency
Downsides:
- Slight discomfort
Avid Ascend is an outstanding bargain if what you want from a tire is year-round grip, handling and better fuel consumption. This one is basically it. Yokohama added a lot of grip-enhancing additives into the compound. It made wet and dry performance exceptionally great, and it’s even viable on thin snow.
Now, you could think this tire won’t be as good as a fuel-saver, but you’re wrong. Yoko made a valiant effort to make it light, not roll-resistant and basically friendlier to environment.
Kumho Solus TA11 All-Season
Upsides:
- Comfort and quiet;
- Decent dry performance;
- Great wet performance;
- Handling and stability;
- Fuel saving
Downsides:
- None
Solus TA11 is a versatile tire. Although it’s an efficient fuel-saver, its most prominent property is the ability to ride smoothly and quietly through the highway. It’s also stable and responsive because of that.
Neither did they forget about traction – the grip on these tires is outstanding all-year round. Of course, it’s better in summer – especially on wet roads, where its excessive grooving and superior compound make driving over water as comfortable and efficient as on dry land.
It’s an efficient tire from all sides, and not even a particularly costly one – a bargain, overall.
Sumic GT-A
Upsides:
- Decent wet traction;
- Good dry traction;
- Quiet and comfortable;
- Fuel-saving;
- Good handling
Downsides:
- None
Sumic GT-A is a more affordable eco-tire variant, although it’s not necessarily made poorer than its counterparts. In fact, it can boast outstanding responsiveness, great wet maneuverability and efficient grip overall. As a bonus, you get lessened rolling resistance and quieter driving.
The tire isn’t as ecological as most on this list, but it still makes an impact for a smaller price. That said, it’s not terribly cheap, just cheaper in comparison.
Falken Sincera SN250 AS
Upsides:
- Great dry and wet traction;
- Decent winter performance;
- Lessened rolling resistance;
- Great handling;
- Noiseless;
- Durable
Downsides:
- None
Falken Sincera is one of the more efficient fuel-savers in the category. They improved its economical properties on fronts, lessening its rolling resistance and even battery usage. Moreover, it is a good bargain, overall. It might be costlier than most tires on the list, but it’s also going to roll for at 130,000 km at least.
Falken siped their tire very excessively and very carefully, and in turn it reduced noise significantly, improved wet driving (and dry driving, of course), and even made riding over snow somewhat viable. In short, if you have enough money, this tread will give you everything you want as a Prius driver.
Michelin Primacy MXM4
Upsides:
- Very effective summer grip;
- Viable in winter;
- Comfortable, noiseless;
- Fuel-efficient
Downsides:
- Pricy
Primacy MXM4 is somewhat of a wild mix between a sports tire and an all-season eco-tire. It’s actually heavier than most tires on the list, which somewhat increases the fuel consumption of an otherwise very economical tire.
In terms of grip, however, this tire knows little competition in the realm of eco-tires. The traction is superb on dry and wet land. It’s even viable on snow, but only on thin layers of it. In short, this tire is definitely fit for high-performance. Because of it, MXM4 costs more than most usual eco-tires, actually.
Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring
Upsides:
- Comfort and quiet;
- Great summer and winter performance;
- Steering comfort;
- Durability
Downsides:
- Quite cumbersome
Uniroyal is not a very fuel-saving tire. In fact, if you think your Prius does enough environmental impact already, you might consider buying all-season tires that do a very good job regarding grip. Tiger Paw, for instance, is very effective on dry and wet land, and even on snow, if you’re careful.
Because of its symmetric continuous pattern, steering ends up being pretty comfortable, even if handling overall could be much more flexible. In the end, the tire is going to last you for at least a good 130,000 km mileage.
Dunlop Signature HP
Upsides:
- Outstanding dry and wet grip;
- Stability and responsiveness;
- Comfort
Downsides:
- Low durability
Signature HP will provide an edge for those Prius users who prefer to use their car to travel at higher speeds (which the newer versions are pretty fit for). These tires are outstanding both for dry and wet performance, and, crucially, their stability and handling are amongst the best on the list.
What’s more, you won’t feel much while driving in them, owing to their smooth riding and reduced noise. This tire is actually considered a sports high-performance model, which is why the longevity isn’t its strongest suit – with only 70,000 km in store.