Hello everyone. Am about to place our order for a 2010 Prius in Blizzard Pearl with either a Premium Pkg + solor panel/moonroof or Technology Pkg. What caught my eye was the Touring Pkg but unfortunately we can't order it with the solar panel/moonroof here in Canada, otherwise this would be the right option package for me. What I would like to know is other than the 17" alloy wheels/tires, are there are changes to the springs/shock absorbers, steering when you specify the Touring Package? TIA for any information and comments.
I believe there is a difference in the "steering box" or something like that... but honestly, I have no idea what that is exactly. Of course, with the bigger wheels and lower profile tires, the ride will also be a little stiffer.
My understanding, based on many threads here is that there are no changes to the shock absorbers, or suspension between 15" and 17" wheels. The only differences that I am aware of on the two, is that the 17" uses a brushless motor on the power steering parts, which was not installed on the early models with 15" tires, but should be shipped on all models shortly. The other difference I know is a smaller turn to turn lock ration on the steering wheel (and most 3/4 turn less with the 17's, and about a 2 foot wider turning radius when doing a U-Turn maneuver. You can search the other threads here for it, but I think that is the only difference technically between the two, as far as "wheel based" changes.
I'll agree with eglmainz on this: There is no difference in the suspensions of any cars shipped to North America. For cars with the 17" wheels, the steering is different. I forget the number of turns, lock-to-lock, but it is close to 3.5 for the 15" wheels and 2.5 for the 17" wheels. Other than that, I don't see a difference.
I haven't got an answer from Toyota Canada but in the US, all models get the same 'Euro tuned suspension'. There is a standard suspension setup available elsewhere in the world (e.g. Japan). I didn't notice a difference in ride quality btwn the two so I'd wager they're the same setup (just like in the US). The 17" alloys should give a slightly stiffer ride because of the tyres' lower profile all else being equal. The steering ratio is definitely quicker on the Touring (great for the sea-to-sky highway). Do a right turn in the dealer's parking lot and btwn the two, you'll see the difference.
