Video summary

【自腹検証】パフォーマンスダンパーは走りにどう効く！？　ラブカーズtv 河口まなぶ が愛車で試す！

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product Reviewed

“Performance damper” option parts (TRD × Yamaha logos) for Toyota Prius PHEV

What It Is / How It Works

  • Not a strut bar/support rod.
  • A damper/cushion that mounts to the left and right body to connect them.
  • Purpose: reduce vibrations and improve ride input control.

Installation considerations

  • Placement matters. Installing in the wrong location (example: between the customer’s feet) can reduce steering feel and cause other side effects.
  • This kit is intended for the front and rear overhang areas, as described in the video.

Installation / Usability

  • Purchased as an optional part.
  • Work time: about one day (the car must be left with the shop once).
  • Dealer mentioned: Toyota Mobility Tokyo (Mitaka Nozaki Kita store).
  • Kit/setup details:
    • Includes the damper itself
    • Protective/mounting parts
    • Bolts

Main Effects Experienced (User Experience)

Positive changes (before → after)

  • Ride quality feels more solid
    • Body feels like it’s been upgraded to a more “high-class” feel.
  • Steering feel improved
    • Wheel feels more precise/crisp around neutral
    • Clearer “cutoff” feel from neutral (sharper response)
    • Slight increase in steering weight/resistance, described as quality-focused rather than heavy or awkward
  • Low-speed vibration elimination
    • Low-speed vibration reported as completely gone
    • Feels like the car was upgraded by “one or two classes”
  • Smoother, flatter highway feel
    • Around 80 km/h on the Metropolitan Expressway, the car feels like it’s settling smoothly
    • Less up/down movement on undulating surfaces; suspension feels like it’s working well
    • In curves and during sharper turns, steering has a strong “set” feeling
  • PHEV/EV-like improvement
    • Since it was driven mostly in EV mode, the reduced vibration made it feel even more EV-like

Comparison mentioned within the video

  • The reviewer previously installed a door stabilizer, which already improved ride quality significantly.
  • After installing the performance damper:
    • The reviewer says it becomes even better, with further refined steering precision.
  • Hyodo-san (another perspective):
    • Said there are more bumps, but the reviewer concluded the positives outweigh the negatives (acknowledging trade-offs).

Downsides / Cons (Reported Limitations)

  • Not a “perfect everywhere” solution
    • Damping varies depending on situation and road.
  • Resonance / shaking at higher speeds
    • On intercity highway speeds, around 80–110 km/h, there are times when the car shakes/bounces/wobbles slightly.
    • The reviewer attributes this to resonance (not fully preventable).
  • Sensitivity to joint/expansion gap conditions at certain low-ish speeds
    • Depending on the expressway joint height, the reviewer sometimes feels a jarring input
    • A speed range is shown in subtitles as 367–423 km/h (numbers appear anomalous, but it reflects a specific condition range in the video).
    • Some joints/steps feel fine, while others feel overly jarring.
  • Rough road sound
    • Sound level didn’t seem to change much, but ride quality improved substantially overall.

Price / Value

  • Price: over 100,000 yen
  • Despite the cost, the reviewer felt the effect is strong and satisfying.

Ratings

  • Score: 90 points
    • 10 points deducted because in some areas the shaking feels “too much” (not fully eliminated).

Overall Verdict / Recommendation

Recommended for Prius PHEV owners who want a noticeable upgrade in ride quality and steering precision—especially from low speeds to typical expressway ranges.

Caution

  • Benefits are not uniform.
  • There are specific road conditions/speeds where resonance or jarring shake can still occur, so it’s not a complete cure-all.

Unique Points Mentioned (Consolidated)

  1. Performance damper differs from a strut bar: a flexible damper/cushion section.
  2. Mounts in front & rear overhang positions; placement mistakes can worsen steering feel.
  3. Reduces vibration by connecting left/right body.
  4. Installation takes about a day; car left with shop once.
  5. Includes damper + protective mounting parts + bolts.
  6. After install: body feels more solid; steering wheel feel changes; more precise near neutral.
  7. Low-speed vibrations reportedly fully disappear.
  8. Highway feel becomes flatter; smoother settling around 80 km/h.
  9. Feels more like an EV (PHEV EV-mode driving improved).
  10. Some resonance-related shaking around 100–110 km/h (expressway), noted in the discussion.
  11. Jarring inputs can occur at certain joints/step heights; some numbers are shown in subtitles.
  12. Rough-road sound not much changed, but ride quality improved a lot.
  13. Compared with a previously installed door stabilizer, the performance damper makes it even better.
  14. Reviewer gives 90/100, losing 10 due to occasional shaking.
  15. Future follow-up mentioned: downsizing wheel plan (19” → 17”).

Speaker Views / Roles (From Subtitles)

  • Main reviewer (Kawaguchi, Lovecas TV / 河口まなぶ)
    • Discusses installation, ride/steering impressions, pros/cons, and the 90-point rating.
  • Hyodo-san (mentioned)
    • Notes there can be more bumps, but overall positives outweigh the negatives.

Original video