Anyone driven the "euro" suspension back-to-back with the standard version? Comments on ride and handling? I haven't heard anything from magazines or forums on this change.
Howdy junglebike I did just that last November. I had been driving my '04 Prius for over 2 years, looking to trade up to an '07. The dealer had both Touring and Standards in stock. I drove both. I had the advantage of 2 years in my '04 plus driving both Standard and Touring '07's. I found the Touring Edition to handle a bit better, particularly on turns. The ride was more 'firm' and had a little 'more in control' feel than the standard. I theorized that the Bridgestone Turanza tires would provide greater grip on the pavement with their larger 'footprint.' The package I wanted {loaded = Package 6} was only $270 more than the same package in the Standard which I thought was incidental... in fact, the dealer absorbed more than that in the trade offer. After trading for the 2007 Touring Edition, I tried the 40/38 psi tire pressures which I had been using on my 2004 Prius, but within a few weeks changed back in steps to the Toyota-recommended 35/33 psi for the better ride. It appears I took about a 2 MPG reduction in my fuel economy. My 2¢ worth.
