82
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
81/100
56 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Michelin Pilot Exalto vs Yokohama AVID Ascend — Compared (May 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
90
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
91/100
23 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Yokohama AVID Ascend — better wet, comfort and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
7 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)
AVID Ascend leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Exalto | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 80 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
AVID Ascend leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Exalto | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 80 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Exalto | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 80 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
AVID Ascend leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Exalto | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 70 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
AVID Ascend leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Exalto | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 95 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Exalto | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Exalto | Yokohama AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 82 | 90 |
| Dry | 86 | 95 |
| Wet | 81 | 93 |
| Snow | – | 85 |
| Comfort | 77 | 89 |
| Noise | – | 88 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 90 |
| Handling | 80 | 80 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
82
/ 100
Tire A
90
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Michelin Pilot Exalto is widely regarded as a premium, high-performance all-rounder that excels in both wet and dry conditions. While users frequently praise its exceptional longevity and consistent grip, some enthusiasts note that its focus on comfort results in softer sidewalls and reduced steering feedback compared to more aggressive track-focused tires.
Pros
- Exceptional tread life and durability
- Strong, predictable grip in both wet and dry conditions
- Progressive handling characteristics near the limit
- High level of ride comfort
- Excellent value over the long term due to longevity
Cons
- High retail price point
- Softer sidewalls can lead to reduced steering feedback and responsiveness
- Increased road noise reported by some users
- Limited availability of specific sizes as the model ages
- Performance can drop off during prolonged high-speed/track use due to overheating
Observations
- Owners of lightweight sports cars like the Mazda MX-5 and Renault Clio 182 frequently cite this tire as an ideal match for the vehicle's handling characteristics.
- Users with modified suspension setups noted that the soft sidewalls of the Exalto can hinder the precision of aftermarket springs and anti-roll bars.
- Drivers of larger, heavier vehicles or those using 17-inch sizes noted that while the tire remains comfortable, the cost of replacement for these specific sizes is significantly higher.
The Yokohama Avid Ascend is widely regarded as a high-value, all-season tire that excels in wet weather performance and ride comfort. While most users report significant improvements in traction and noise levels compared to factory-installed tires, a small subset of owners has raised concerns regarding premature tread wear and occasional manufacturing defects.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather traction and hydroplaning resistance
- High value-to-performance ratio compared to premium competitors
- Smooth and quiet ride quality
- Reliable handling in light snow and slushy conditions
Cons
- Reports of premature or uneven tread wear in some instances
- Occasional noise issues on dry pavement
- Isolated reports of tires going out of round after moderate mileage
Observations
- Subaru Forester owners frequently cite these as a superior upgrade for both comfort and all-weather capability.
- Users of AWD vehicles, including the Audi A4 and Toyota Sienna, report high satisfaction with the tire's handling in mixed precipitation.
- Hybrid vehicle owners noted that the tire maintains fuel efficiency comparable to factory specifications.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Pilot Exalto | B · Yokohama AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Premium Touring All Season tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | — | 12/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 740 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 75,000 mi |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 51 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
82
/ 100
Michelin
90
/ 100
Yokohama
Winner: Yokohama AVID Ascend — better wet, comfort and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Yokohama AVID Ascend scores 93 vs 81 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Yokohama AVID Ascend scores 89 vs 77 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Yokohama AVID Ascend scores 95 vs 86 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Yokohama AVID Ascend scores 90 vs 83 on treadwear.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Exalto
Tire B · Yokohama AVID Ascend
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin Pilot Exalto also compared with
Yokohama AVID Ascend 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.