As a tire enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by the eternal debate: Firestone vs Yokohama.
Today, I aim to settle this age-old comparison once and for all.
In this post, we will delve deep into their histories, examine their performances on dry, wet, and snow-covered roads, explore their mileage warranties, average lifespans, prices, and uncover the pros and cons of each brand.
By the end, we’ll uncover the ultimate champion.
Stick around, because this is one showdown you won’t want to miss.
Firestone vs Yokohama – Comparison Table
| Firestone | Yokohama | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Japan |
| Year Founded | 1900 | 1917 |
| Made In | United States, Vietnam, Brazil, Canada, and Costa Rica | Salem, VA, West Point, MS, or Tokyo, Japan |
| Parent | Bridgestone Corporation (Japan) | Furukawa Group (Japan) |
About the Brands
1. Firestone
Firestone is an iconic American tire brand that traces its roots back to 1900 when it was founded in the United States.
The company quickly gained recognition for its high-quality tires, becoming a leading player in the industry.
Throughout its history, Firestone has been committed to innovation and performance.
In 1988, Firestone became a subsidiary of the Bridgestone Corporation, a Japanese multinational company.
This acquisition allowed Firestone to benefit from Bridgestone’s global reach and technological advancements.
Over the years, Firestone has continued to thrive under Bridgestone’s ownership, leveraging its expertise and resources to maintain its position as a trusted tire brand.
Today, Firestone offers a wide range of tires for various vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles.
With a rich heritage and a legacy of excellence, Firestone remains a prominent name in the tire industry.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Trucks
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Light trucks
- Medium trucks
- Buses
2. Yokohama
Yokohama is a renowned tire brand with a rich history that dates back to 1917.
Founded in Japan in a joint venture between Yokohama Cable Manufacturing and B.F. Goodrich, Yokohama tires have become synonymous with quality and performance.
The brand is now a subsidiary of the Furukawa Group.
Over the years, Yokohama has established itself as a global leader in the tire industry, offering a wide range of products for various vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs.
With a focus on cutting-edge technology and tire engineering, Yokohama has consistently delivered high-performance tires that provide excellent traction, durability, and fuel efficiency.
The brand’s commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a loyal customer base worldwide, making Yokohama a trusted choice for drivers seeking reliable and high-performing tires.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Performance cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Mini vans
- Crossovers
- Trucks
- Vans
- High-performance vehicles
- Commercial vehicles
- Tractors
- Bicycles
Differences
1. Dry Performance
I’m going to compare the performance of two summer tires as they are the ideal type in dry weather.
I’m taking a look at the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 vs the Yokohama Advan Sport V105.
In my assessment, as the one providing dry performance ratings from 1 to 5, I would rate the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 with a score of 4.5.
It has shown impressive handling, quick steering response, great grip, stability, and a comfortable, quiet ride.
The tire’s new tread compound and wide shoulder blocks contribute to its performance and comfort.
On the other hand, the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 receives a slightly higher rating of 4.8 due to its superior handling, wider tread blocks, maximum grip, and positive customer reviews.
Both tires offer excellent dry performance, but the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 edges slightly ahead.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Firestone WeatherGrip vs the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT.
In my evaluation as the rater of wet performance on a scale of 1 to 5, the Firestone WeatherGrip achieves a rating of 4.3.
This tire exhibits commendable wet traction with its shorter braking distances and resistance to hydroplaning.
The design elements, such as open shoulder slots, further enhance its ability to resist hydroplaning.
With its all-season performance design, this tire ensures reliable stability and traction in wet weather conditions.
On the other hand, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT receives a wet performance rating of 4.6, indicating its excellence in this aspect.
This tire showcases outstanding hydroplaning resistance and stable handling on rainy roads.
Its TriBLEND compound technology contributes to exceptional handling and powerful braking on wet surfaces.
Based on these ratings, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT emerges as the winner for wet performance, albeit with a marginal advantage.
3. Snow Performance
We all know that you need dedicated winter tires if you’re going to be driving on harsh winter conditions.
That’s why I’ll be comparing the snow performance of two specialized winter tires – Firestone Winterforce 2 vs Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c.
In my evaluation, both the Firestone Winterforce 2 and Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c tires exhibit excellent snow performance, with ratings of 4.5 out of 5.
The Firestone Winterforce 2 stands out with its cold weather compound, open shoulder slots, sipes, and 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification.
On the other hand, the Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c impresses with its extra-wide center rib, large control blocks, slush grooves, deep treads, and optimal traction.
Given the similar snow performance ratings, I declare it a tie between the two tires.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Firestone | Yokohama | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 55,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Firestone tires are expected to last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on average. | Yokohama tires can last anywhere between 50,000 to 85,000 miles. |
Based on my research, the mileage warranty and average lifespan of Firestone and Yokohama tires differ.
Firestone offers a treadwear warranty of up to 55,000 miles, while Yokohama provides a warranty of up to 80,000 miles.
On average, Firestone tires last between 40,000 to 60,000 miles, whereas Yokohama tires can endure anywhere from 50,000 to 85,000 miles.
Therefore, Yokohama tires generally have a longer mileage warranty and average lifespan compared to Firestone tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Firestone vs Yokohama.
I’ll be using one of the biggest tire and wheel retailers in the US for this comparison – Discount Tire.
Here is a comprehensive table that showcases each brand has to offer:
| Firestone | Yokohama | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $82 to $603 /ea | $68 to $805 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | FT140 goes from $82 – $170 /ea | Iceguard IG53 goes from $68 – $197 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Destination M/T 2 goes from $229 – $603 /ea | Advan Sport goes from $255 – $805 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Firestone
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Firestone tires have good performance | ❌ Their shop is very expensive and they might try and sell you unnecessary services/things |
| ✔ Wide availability | |
| ✔ Good option for those who live in areas with harsh winter conditions |
Yokohama
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Reasonable pricing, offering good value for their cost | ❌ None |
| ✔ Excellent traction, particularly in dry conditions | |
| ✔ Stable and safe handling |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Firestone:
- Destination LE3
- Firehawk Indy 500
- WeatherGrip
Some of Yokohama’s best tires are shown below:
- Advan Apex V601
- Avid Ascend GT
- Geolandar A/T G015
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After considering the dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, average lifespan, and pros and cons, I declare Yokohama as the better pick overall.
It has superior ratings in dry and wet performance, comparable snow performance, longer mileage warranty, and a reasonable pricing range.
With excellent traction and safe handling, Yokohama tires offer great value for their cost.
