Overview of Yokohama Tires
Yokohama is a Japanese tire manufacturer founded in 1917 in Tokyo and is the eighth largest tire company in the world. The company has grown to become one of the world’s most dependable and cost-effective tire brands. This is due, in part, to a racing background. Yokohama established itself in the United States market in 1969 and has two manufacturing plants in Salem, Virginia and West Point, Mississippi.
They sponsor and supply tires to some of the most prestigious motorsports teams and professionals, and use this knowledge to design tires for their customers that have excellent cornering abilities, steering responsiveness, long tread life, and all-season capabilities. The brand is easily recognized by soccer fans because it sponsors Chelsea Football Club, one of the most powerful football clubs in Europe.
It has over 100 years of experience designing quality and high-performance tires. Yokohama has a diverse product line that includes tires for passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks, minivans, trucks, and buses for summer, winter, and all terrain conditions, as well as ultra-high performance tires for motorsport applications.
Yokohama is one of the world’s most environmentally friendly tire manufacturers, producing tires that are 80 percent petroleum free. In recent years, the company has made efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and landfill waste by designing tires with lower rolling resistance to improve fuel efficiency.
Pros and Cons of Yokohama Tires
Pros
- A well-known brand with genuine environmental credentials.
- It has good treads on the majority of its models.
- There is a wide range of tires to choose from.
- Exceptional dry traction
Cons
- These are not the most affordable tires on the market.
- Customers’ reports of irresponsive wet braking
Yokohama Tires’ Warranty
Limited warranty: Protects new Yokohama high performance, passenger, winter, and light truck tires from workmanship and material defects. Yokohama replaces the defective tire with a comparable new one at no cost, including mounting and balancing.
Treadwear warranty: It covers select Yokohama all-season tires for the mileage specified. The treadwear warranties offered by Yokohama range from 25,000 to 80,000 miles.
30-day trial period: If you are dissatisfied with your new Yokohama tires, you have 30 days from the date of purchase to return them to the dealer for a replacement or refund.
Why Should You Buy Yokohama Tires?
- A brand committed to environmental sustainability
Yokohama is dedicated to developing tires that cause the least amount of environmental damage. Their tires are made in an effort to prevent global warming, save resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide users with safety and comfort without sacrificing performance.
Yokohama’s environmental initiatives extend to its manufacturing plants and facilities, which operate with low environmental impact. It has planted over 1.5 million trees in its various manufacturing facilities around the world in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint.
- Advanced tire technologies
Yokohama has used a variety of technologies over the years to create tires that have consistently been a favorite and sought after in the tire industry. Yokohama Nanotechnology allows tires to remain pliable in extreme weather and temperature conditions, reducing energy loss.
Furthermore, Yokohama tires use advanced rubber compounds that make them environmentally friendly and easily recyclable. The company manufactures its tires with the finest materials and processes, ensuring that their quality never falls short, but rather remains the same or even improves.
- Rigorously tested tires
Yokohama’s attention to detail ensures that all tires are manufactured in a consistent and safe manner to operate in whatever conditions they are subjected to. To accomplish this, they conduct extensive testing processes, ranging from advanced computer technologies to on-track testing, before declaring them fit for drivers.
Water evacuation, treadwear, and handling abilities are among the tests. This aids in determining the performance level of each tire and whether or not it is suitable for sale.
- A range of tires to choose from
Yokohama offers six tire lines to meet the needs of the majority of drivers, ranging from summer to winter to high performance. Their tires are intended for use in SUVs, trucks, buses, pickups, crossovers, minivans, and sports cars, among other vehicles. There is always a Yokohama tire available to get you going.
The Advan line caters to race enthusiasts and high performance seekers, whereas the Geolander is an all-terrain line for off-road enthusiasts. The BluEarth line is designed for environmentally conscious consumers who want to save money on gas and lower their carbon footprint. Parada and Avid, on the other hand, cater to everyday drivers looking for dependable handling and a smooth, quiet ride. The IceGuard takes care of all of your winter driving needs.
Yokohama Outstanding Design Features
- Matrix Rayon Body Ply
The body ply is the lining that runs along the interior rubber wall of the tire and serves to reinforce it in various ways depending on how it is angled. The rayon matrix body ply from Yokohama fits inside the tire at an angle to the sidewall to increase the tire’s lateral rigidity. This improves the tire’s responsiveness, agility, and handling for a more enjoyable driving experience. It also makes the tire lighter because it weighs less than other types of body plies.
- NanoBlend Compound
This lowers rolling resistance, resulting in lower fuel consumption and improved ride comfort. It also helps to extend the life of the tire’s tread and improve wet traction.
- BluEarth Technology
This design technology aims to improve comfort and road performance while reducing environmental impact. The “BluEarth Series” tires from Yokohama are dedicated to reducing CO2 emissions and keeping the earth as blue as possible. Yokohama’s BluEarth certified products are lightweight, requiring less energy to manufacture and drive. They also have fuel-saving properties due to lower rolling resistance and noise output.
Yokohama Industry Ratings and Customer Reviews
According to the JD Power 2021 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Consumer Satisfaction Study, Yokohama ranks ninth in the passenger car category, 13 points lower than the segment average. Sadly, the brand is not featured in other categories.
Consumer Reports ranks Yokohama eighth on the 2020 Tire Brand Report Card, trailing Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Goodyear, and Bridgestone. Overall, Yokohama tires receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers, particularly for their performance models.
Best Selling Yokohama Tire Models
1. Yokohama Geolander A/T G015: All-Terrain Tire
The Geolander A/T G015 all-terrain tire is intended for trucks and SUVs. Its Enduro tread compound provides dependable traction on dry pavement as well as long-lasting wear. Furthermore, EdgeTec grooves aid in the creation of a larger void area on the tread, which aids in the removal of dirt, sand, and mud from the tire.
Triple 3D sipes improve wet performance by providing the tire with more biting edges to navigate wet and snowy pavements. The sipes are also designed to change shape as the tire wears out, allowing them to retain traction.
The AT G015 bears the RMA symbol, indicating its ability to navigate harsh weather conditions ranging from hot asphalt to snow-packed road surfaces. The tire is more than capable of getting you through the toughest conditions, with 25% better snow braking and handling than the Geolander A/T-S it replaces.
The Geolander A/T G015 is available in sizes ranging from 15 to 20 inches, with prices starting at $115 for LT and P-matrix variations. A 50,000 to 60,000-mile tread warranty is included, depending on size.
2. Yokohama Avid Touring-S: Standard All-Season
This is a low-cost all-season tire designed to provide all-weather handling and enhanced ride comfort. It is intended for use by drivers of coupes, sedans, minivans, and smaller SUVs. The Touring-S includes Yokohama’s triplex tread compound molded into a symmetric tread pattern for increased tire life and traction.
The tire features a twin-centered rail stabilizer for increased stability, improved steering response, and noise reduction. Yokohama has also included tapered rain channels, cross traction sipes, and circumferential grooves to improve grip on wet, slush, and snow-covered road surfaces while also reducing hydroplaning. The Touring-S is covered by a 65,000-mile tread warranty from Yokohama. Tire prices begin around $70 per tire.
3. Yokohama Avid Ascend
The Yokohama Avid Ascend tire combines all-season performance with the long wear and low noise of a touring tire. It is one of the few tires that uses orange oil technology, which improves the tire’s flexibility and adherence to the road while also lowering the volume of petrochemicals in the tire.
Four circumferential grooves run through the center of the tire to help clear water from under the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and improving wet traction. The 3D sipes increase biting edges for winter and snow grip, while the tire’s variable pitch tread shape reduces road noise for a more comfortable ride. Furthermore, large tread blocks and a tapered center rib provide excellent cornering and traction on dry pavements.
This tire is ideal for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint while still getting the best all-season performance. The Avid Ascend comes with an 85,000-mile tread warranty and is available in sizes ranging from 15 to 19 inches for around $85.
The Cost of Yokohama Tires
Yokohama is a mid-tier tire manufacturer that takes pride in producing high-quality tires at a reasonable price. The vast majority of their tires range in price from $75 to $250, depending on the make and size. Yokohama premium tire models, such as the Avid Ascend GT, can cost upwards of $300. Yokohama tires also have some of the longest tread life warranties, with warranties that can go up to 90,000 miles.
Yokohama FAQS
Are Yokohama tires good?
Yokohama tires are high-quality and reasonably priced. Since 1917, it has been a well-known and trusted brand that has delivered nothing but the best. So, yes, they are worthwhile to buy.
How long do Yokohama tires last?
Yokohama tires can last anywhere from 15,000 to 80,000 miles depending on the application and conditions.
What brands are comparable to Yokohama?
Dunlop, Goodyear, and Hankook are Yokohama’s competitors. Reading reviews on the various brands will help you determine which one best meets your needs.
What is Yokohama’s market position?
Yokohama cuts across the board when it comes to its tire models. While some may fall on the premium line such as the Geolander X-MT, the brand also features a variety of more affordable and economical tires.
Final Take
Yokohama may not be one of the top three tire manufacturers, but they are a brand you can rely on to produce competent tires that not only get the job done but also provide long-lasting performance. They’ve made a name for themselves by focusing on environmental sustainability and developing innovative solutions to combat climate change. The brand is well-liked for its tread warranties, product line, and low-cost tires. When looking for a new set of treads, consider adding this brand to your list.