I have read nearly every issue of Consumer Reports since the late 70s. In an act of defiance to their usually good advice, I bought four OEM size Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 tires at Costco yesterday for my 05 Prius (185-65R15). CR rated the EPs dead last in a list of 20 performance all-season tires (H-speed rating). Apparently CR hates the EPs because they did not perform well during their handling test which is "an avoidance maneuver involving a swerve into the left lane and back into the right lane, wet and dry corning grip on our skid pad, and subjective steering feel." The EP was the only tire to receive a fair rating for handling of the 20 tires tested for any all season tire. All other tires had a good or better handling rating. CR reported that three different SNOW tires had better handling than the EPs which I find difficult to believe. There's no question that handling is important when avoiding other vehicles, deer, and Mitt Romney. CR overrated it. The average Prius driver exercises better judgment, anticipates the moves of other drivers, and drives defensively. Sure there are occasions when you must avoid a road hazard or other vehicle but they just don't happen that often when you're a cautious and conscientious driver. So, thanks but no thanks, CR. I didn't heed your sage advice for this purchase. My initial impressions of the EPs after 75 miles of stop and go driving and high speed cruising is that they do not have any more of a subjective steering feel than the Goodyear Assurance Comfortreads that were just removed. The EPs are quieter (probably because they are new ), and I haven't noticed a difference in handling. Some people claim the tracking wanders with the EPs, requiring constant steering adjustment. I have not sensed this at all. Again, no difference from the previous tires. I really hope the EPs are better than the Goodyears were in snow. I dreaded the approaching winter driving season and asked myself: Are you really going to drive another Michigan winter with the Goodyears? NO, NO. NO!!!!! was the answer. It was time.
Nice write up... I'm looking forward to reading what people with experience comparing these and other tires have to say!
I purchased Four Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 195/55/16 tires back in July. I have about 8,000 miles on them and am very impressed. No noticable change in handling and my mileage has improved about 3 to 4 miles per gallon. I am very glad that I chose these tires.
What were you running before in tires and mpg? No change in what level of handling? Thanks for the info.
I had the original equipment Bridgestone Tourenzas. I got 64,280 miles on the first set of tires. No, I cannot feel a difference in handling. Lifetime MPG with old tires was 50.04. After the tire change it has been 52.5. My commuter mileage is in the very high 50's / very low 60's - but when I use the car for extended roadtrips, that really impacts my mileage. I travelled back and forth from LA to the Bay Area twice and I only get low 40's on the interstate highway.
Oops, they forgot to rate to crappy Chinese tires I see falling apart all day. I'm sure you made a good decision. They did make the top 20 list anyways.
So did I. They are a fairly poor handling tire but they are the next best alternative to the Energy Saver A/S for mpg. I'd choose the Energy Saver over the EP422 for everything but snow traction. Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Review - 17" Tire | PriusChat
Hey Avi, what do you think of the Toyo's that Les Scwabb recommends for Prius? I can't find anyone who has benchmarked 'em?
Sorry, I can't help you on that one as I don't know much about them. I've been recommending the 422s based on what I've read here. I did put a set of Falken 211s on a Prius and had a drop in MPG, however, I'm not sure if it was because of the tires.
I don't think you totally ignored CR. You choose this tire because the "weakness" CR pointed out is not your concern at all. You are a rational thinker who doesn't take other's words literary. That's what we need these days. Way too many people around don't use their own brain to think. Sad!
