As a car enthusiast, I often find myself pondering the age-old question: Michelin vs Yokohama? These two tire brands have been renowned in the industry for their exceptional performance and quality.
In this post, we will delve deep into their history, analyze their dry, wet, and snow performances, compare their mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, and uncover their pros and cons.
By the end, we will determine which brand reigns supreme.
Let’s embark on this thrilling journey and discover the ultimate tire champion.
Michelin vs Yokohama – Comparison Table
| Michelin | Yokohama | |
| Country of Origin | France | Japan |
| Year Founded | 1889 | 1917 |
| Made In | Canada, France, Germany, Spain, and the United States | Salem, VA, West Point, MS, or Tokyo, Japan |
| Parent | Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA (France) | Furukawa Group (Japan) |
About the Brands
1. Michelin
The Michelin brand has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1889 in France.
Originally established by the Michelin brothers, André and Edouard, the company quickly gained recognition for its innovative tire designs.
Over the years, Michelin has become synonymous with excellence in the tire industry.
It has pioneered numerous advancements, including the first removable pneumatic tire, the radial tire, and the run-flat tire.
These innovations have revolutionized the automotive industry, enhancing safety and performance.
Michelin’s commitment to quality and durability has earned the brand a reputation for producing high-performance tires trusted by drivers worldwide.
As part of the Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA, the brand continues to push boundaries, constantly striving for excellence and remaining at the forefront of tire technology.
Today, Michelin remains a global leader in the tire industry, providing a wide range of high-quality tires for various vehicles and applications.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Commercial trucks
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
- Racing cars
- Aircraft
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 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs the Yokohama Advan Sport V105.
In my evaluation, I rate the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S with a dry performance score of 4.7 out of 5.
This tire has garnered high praise for its exceptional dry grip, precise steering and handling, short braking distances, and its Multi-Compound Construction.
Its endorsements from renowned manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz AMG and Ferrari further attest to its strong dry performance capabilities.
On the other hand, the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 receives a score of 4.8 out of 5.
It offers superior handling, wider tread blocks for enhanced dry performance, maximum grip, a quiet ride, and positive customer reviews.
Given their close ratings, I declare it a tie between these two tires in terms of dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT.
Based on my research and personal wet performance rating, I would rate the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tire at 4.4 out of 5.
It offers good wet traction and grip, performing well in wet conditions.
The Yokohama Avid Ascend GT tire, on the other hand, receives a slightly higher rating of 4.6 out of 5.
It excels in wet performance, with excellent hydroplaning resistance and stable handling.
Therefore, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT tire edges out as the better choice for wet performance.
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 – Michelin X-Ice Xi3 vs Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c.
As an evaluator of snow performance, I rate the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tire at 4.6 out of 5.
Its exceptional grip, resistance to hydroplaning, and long-lasting performance make it a top contender.
The specialized V-shaped tread pattern and Flex-Ice compound ensure reliable traction on icy and snowy roads, enhancing its overall snow performance.
On the other hand, the Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c tire earns a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
It boasts an extra-wide center rib, large control blocks, slush grooves, deep treads, and optimal traction.
Both tires excel in snowy conditions, but if I had to choose a winner, it would be the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 due to its slightly higher rating.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Michelin | Yokohama | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 90,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Michelin tires are designed to last between 45,000 to 85,000 miles on average. | Yokohama tires can last anywhere between 50,000 to 85,000 miles. |
After researching, I found that Michelin tires offer a treadwear warranty of up to 90,000 miles, while Yokohama tires have a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles.
On average, Michelin tires can last between 45,000 to 85,000 miles, while Yokohama tires typically last between 50,000 to 85,000 miles.
Therefore, Michelin tires have a slightly longer mileage warranty, but both brands offer tires that can provide a similar lifespan on the road.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Michelin 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:
| Michelin | Yokohama | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $112 to $1,160 /ea | $68 to $805 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | X-ICE Snow goes from $112 – $493 /ea | Iceguard IG53 goes from $68 – $197 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Pilot Sport 4S goes from $236 – $1,160 /ea | Advan Sport goes from $255 – $805 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Michelin
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Probably the most reputed brand in the industry | ❌ Some of their tires can get very expensive |
| ✔ Michelin tires are known for their high quality and durability | |
| ✔ Their tires are equipped with advanced technologies that provide maximum fuel-saving, noise reduction, and performance |
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 Michelin:
- Pilot Sport 4S
- Defender T+H
- Premier A/S
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 key factors such as dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, and average lifespan, it is clear that both Michelin and Yokohama offer excellent tires.
However, when taking all aspects into account, I would declare Yokohama as the better pick overall.
It excels in wet performance, offers good value for its cost, and provides stable and safe handling.
While Michelin has a strong reputation and advanced technologies, Yokohama’s overall performance and reasonable pricing make it the winner in this comparison.