All models except the top-of-the-line Prius Five come with 195/65R15 tires, which by today’s standards probably qualify as “high-profile.” The Prius Five uses 215/45R17 tires, which are low-profile.
A tire’s profile refers to how tall the sidewall is compared to the width of the tread. In the case of the Prius Two, Three and Four, the sidewall is 65 percent of the width of the tread, and on the Prius Five it is 45 percent. This is often clearly visible in that a low-profile tire will have narrow sidewalls, and in some cases the tires may look flat.
Both tire sizes offered on the Prius are of the low-rolling-resistance type. That means the treads are designed to have less friction with the road, so they yield higher gas mileage but produce less cornering grip than more performance-oriented tires. You can learn more about different types of tires in the Cars.com Advice section.
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