When it comes to choosing the right tires for your vehicle, the options can be overwhelming.
In this post, I’ll be delving into the world of Nokian vs Yokohama tires, comparing their histories, dry and wet performances, snow capabilities, mileage warranties, average lifespans, prices, and uncovering their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme in the tire arena.
So, let’s dive in and discover the tire that will take your driving experience to new heights.
Nokian vs Yokohama – Comparison Table
| Nokian | Yokohama | |
| Country of Origin | Finland | Japan |
| Year Founded | 1988 | 1917 |
| Made In | Finland and Russia | Salem, VA, West Point, MS, or Tokyo, Japan |
| Parent | Nokian Tyres plc (Finland) | Furukawa Group (Japan) |
About the Brands
1. Nokian
Nokian Tyres, a renowned tire brand, was founded in Finland in 1988 and is currently a subsidiary of Nokian Tyres plc.
With a rich history spanning over three decades, Nokian has established itself as a leading global tire manufacturer.
The brand’s commitment to innovation and high-quality products has earned it a strong reputation in the industry.
Nokian is particularly known for its expertise in winter tires, thanks to its Finnish roots and the country’s demanding weather conditions.
The brand’s tires are designed to provide exceptional grip, safety, and durability in harsh winter conditions, making them popular worldwide.
Nokian’s continuous research and development efforts have resulted in numerous breakthroughs, including the introduction of unique technologies and eco-friendly materials in their tire manufacturing processes.
Today, Nokian Tyres continues to deliver cutting-edge tire solutions, catering to diverse customer needs across different regions.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Light trucks
- Heavy machinery
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 Nokian zLine vs the Yokohama Advan Sport V105.
As the one giving the dry performance rating from 1 to 5, I would rate the Nokian zLine at 4.2 and the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 at 4.8.
The Nokian zLine impresses with its precise handling, good dry traction, and sporty performance characteristics.
However, the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 offers superior handling, wider tread blocks for enhanced dry performance, maximum grip, and a quiet and comfortable ride.
Based on these findings, the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 emerges as the better tire for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Nokian WR G4 vs the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT.
In my evaluation, both the Nokian WR G4 and Yokohama Avid Ascend GT tires exhibit exceptional wet performance, earning a wet performance rating of 4.6 out of 5.
The Nokian WR G4 tire impresses with its excellent wet grip, stability, and control during cornering, thanks to its all-weather design and asymmetric tread pattern.
Similarly, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT tire showcases outstanding hydroplaning resistance and stable handling on wet surfaces, aided by its all-season construction and TriBLEND compound technology.
Therefore, it’s a tie between the two tires in terms of 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 – Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 vs Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c.
As the one giving the snow performance rating from 1 to 5, I have carefully considered the research on both tires.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 receives a rating of 4.8, indicating reliable snow performance with its Double Block Grip design, uncompromised grip, predictability, and eco-friendly focus.
On the other hand, the Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c receives a rating of 4.5, suggesting improved grip and control through features like the extra-wide center rib, large control blocks, slush grooves, deep treads, and optimal traction.
Based on these ratings, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 stands out as the better tire for snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Nokian | Yokohama | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | The lifespan of Nokian tires can vary but on average they can last anywhere between 40,000 to 85,000 miles. | Yokohama tires can last anywhere between 50,000 to 85,000 miles. |
After conducting research, I found that both Nokian and Yokohama tires offer a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, which indicates their expected lifespan.
On average, Nokian tires can last between 40,000 to 85,000 miles, while Yokohama tires can last between 50,000 to 85,000 miles.
Therefore, both brands provide comparable mileage warranties and average lifespans, making them reliable choices for drivers seeking long-lasting tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Nokian 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:
| Nokian | Yokohama | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $73 to $585 /ea | $68 to $805 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Nordman 7 goes from $73 – $177 /ea | Iceguard IG53 goes from $68 – $197 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Hakkapeliitta 10SUV goes from $173 – $696 /ea | Advan Sport goes from $255 – $805 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Nokian
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Your go-to brand for winter tires and only tire manufacturer in the world with its own permanent winter tire testing facility | ❌ Limited market presence |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, and heavy-duty equipment | |
| ✔ Innovative technology, such as the Hakkapeliitta R3’s “Aramid Sidewall Technology,” which uses the same material used in bulletproof vests |
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 Nokian:
- Hakkapeliitta R3
- WR G4
- Rotiiva AT Plus
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, and average lifespan of Nokian and Yokohama tires, along with their pros and cons, I have reached a conclusion.
In terms of dry performance, Yokohama Advan Sport V105 emerges as the better tire.
For wet performance, both Nokian WR G4 and Yokohama Avid Ascend GT showcase exceptional performance, resulting in a tie.
However, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 stands out as the better tire for snow performance.
Both brands offer comparable mileage warranties and lifespans.
Considering all these factors, I declare Nokian as the better pick overall.
