89
/ 100
Objective (60%)
76/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
92/100
10 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop Winter Response 2 vs Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
Tire B
Toyo
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP
78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
70/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
82/100
14 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Dunlop Winter Response 2 — better treadwear, wet and snow. Pick the Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP if dry matters most to you.
Read full
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Category breakdown
6 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Observe GSi-6 HP leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Winter Response 2 | Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 89 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter Response 2 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | Winter Response 2 | Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 94 | 68 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 88 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 98% | 81% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter Response 2 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Winter Response 2 | Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 94 | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 88 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Response 2 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Winter Response 2 | Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 93 | 85 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter Response 2 leads by 22
Why this score
| Source | Winter Response 2 | Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 65 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Winter Response 2 | Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 82 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Winter Response 2 | Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 89 | 78 |
| Dry | 86 | 89 |
| Wet | 92 | 76 |
| Snow | 96 | 84 |
| Comfort | 93 | 85 |
| Treadwear | 87 | 65 |
| Handling | 82 | 82 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
89
/ 100
Tire A
78
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/12 · 2018 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 175/65 R14 | 5% #19/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +44.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% #3/31 · 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | 99% #8/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -0.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 98% #3/51 · 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | 81% #7/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +16.8 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Winter Response 2 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction in snow and wet conditions. Users frequently highlight its balanced performance, noting that it maintains impressive grip and low noise levels even in dry, cold weather, making it a strong value proposition in the premium winter segment.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and confidence in deep snow and icy conditions.
- Excellent wet weather grip and handling stability.
- Low road noise levels, even at motorway speeds.
- Strong value for money compared to other premium winter offerings.
Cons
- Some reports of faster-than-expected tread wear.
- Noticeable sidewall roll during cornering at higher speeds.
- Inconsistent performance ratings across different tire widths in independent testing.
Observations
- Users noted that the tire remains remarkably quiet on smaller vehicles like the Renault Clio, particularly in 185/55 R15 sizing.
- Longevity appears sufficient for moderate usage, with one user reporting 46,000 km of service while maintaining 4mm of tread depth.
The Toyo Observe GSI 6 HP is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet, slushy, and snowy conditions while maintaining impressive dry-road handling. Users frequently praise its quiet operation and exceptional lateral stability, though experiences regarding tread longevity are polarized, with some reporting high mileage and others noting premature wear.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and stability in snow and slush
- Impressive wet-weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- Remarkably quiet ride quality for a winter tire
- Predictable handling and feedback on icy surfaces
- Strong dry-pavement performance suitable for performance-oriented vehicles
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life reports, with some users experiencing premature wear
- Occasional reports of structural failure or tread separation
- Slightly vague steering feel at lower speeds
- Can be noisier than some competitors depending on the vehicle and speed rating
Observations
- EV owners noted that the tire handles high-torque acceleration well, though heavy electric vehicles may experience accelerated tread wear.
- Drivers of performance sedans and coupes appreciate the tire's stiff sidewall and handling characteristics, though some report it is firmer than alternative winter options.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Winter Response 2 | B · Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | — |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
89
/ 100
Dunlop
78
/ 100
Toyo
Winner: Dunlop Winter Response 2 — better treadwear, wet and snow. Pick the Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP if dry matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop Winter Response 2 scores 87 vs 65 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Dunlop Winter Response 2 scores 92 vs 76 on wet.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Dunlop Winter Response 2 scores 96 vs 84 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop Winter Response 2 scores 93 vs 85 on comfort.
Tire A · Dunlop Winter Response 2
Tire B · Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Winter Response 2 also compared with
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.