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Big wheels might make the new Toyota Prius look sportier, but are they killing fuel efficiency? One owner wasn’t about to take Toyota’s word for it. Leo Ikeda, a self-proclaimed hypermiler, had a hunch that Toyota’s 19-inch factory Prius wheels were dragging his mpg down. So, he did what any efficiency-obsessed driver would do—ditched them.

“New tire wheel combo. 19 was 47lb. Now I went with 16 and it only 35.5 lb each,” he explained. That’s 46 pounds of unsprung weight gone. And according to physics (and Prius nerds), that’s a big deal. Lighter wheels mean less rolling resistance, easier acceleration, and, in theory, better fuel economy. But did it actually work?

Preliminary Toyota Prius test results: Soaring MPG, bruised ego

Ikeda hit the road in chilly Minnesota, temperatures hovering around 45°F with gusty winds. He reset his trip computer and put the new setup to the test. The numbers? “59.5 mpg going 65 mph for 21.1 mile” and “65.1 mpg” in stop-and-go city driving.

He admitted his methods weren’t exactly scientific. “This is no way accurate,” he said, but the early results were promising. Toyota claims the new Prius can hit 57 mpg in ideal conditions, but Ikeda is already blowing past that—despite the cold.

Of course, every great experiment has its skeptics. Some Prius enthusiasts insist Toyota optimized the car for its stock setup. Others, like Korben Cherkas-Clark, argued the Prius is better with even smaller wheels. “Guy came to my house saying 15s don’t fit. Had an awesome experience with those size and winter tires,” he argued.

Style? Who cares!

Not everyone swaps wheels for science. Some people just like how big rims look. But Ikeda? He couldn’t care less. “Ok. You may say it looks like aS%*%. I don’t care. I used drive 2012 Prius lol.” Priorities.

Noah Washington of Torque News spotted the post on the stock Toyota wheel MPG in the Prius 5th Generation 2023+ Facebook group. The post has already sparked debate. Some drivers are considering smaller wheels themselves. Others? Sticking with Toyota’s “sporty” setup.

The Toyota Prius owner’s verdict: MPG over everything

Toyota obviously designed the new Prius to turn heads as much as for its MPG. But does it need big wheels to do that? Ikeda doesn’t think so. And his fuel economy numbers back him up. Not to mention an improved ride. “It seems much quieter… seems softer… I’m sure it is,” he said.

His experiment isn’t over. “When temp get a bit higher I can compare how much energy used per mile,” he explained. But one thing is already clear: sometimes, smaller really is better.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.