Yokohama iceGUARD iG65 review
The Yokohama iceGUARD iG65 is perceived as a specialized winter tire that prioritizes performance on icy surfaces over dry or wet road handling. While users appreciate its reliability in harsh, frozen conditions, it is generally considered less capable in deep snow and dry, cold pavement compared to premium European winter tire alternatives.
Owners rate it 12.2 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
59%By road tests
71.2%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 3 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Yokohama iceGUARD iG65 is perceived as a specialized winter tire that prioritizes performance on icy surfaces over dry or wet road handling. While users appreciate its reliability in harsh, frozen conditions, it is generally considered less capable in deep snow and dry, cold pavement compared to premium European winter tire alternatives.
Pros
- Reliable traction and grip on icy road surfaces
- Effective clearing of slush and snow from tread patterns
- Predictable handling in severe winter conditions compared to budget-tier tires
Cons
- Mediocre to poor performance on dry, cold pavement
- Limited grip in deep snow conditions
- Noticeable compromise in handling characteristics when compared to premium European winter tire segments
Worth knowing
- Users transitioning from European-style winter tires to this Nordic-style tire report a distinct change in handling characteristics from the first kilometer.
- The tire is noted to be best suited for drivers living in mountainous or rural regions where icy road conditions are more prevalent than cleared urban highways.
1 published test appearance
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2018 Vi Studded Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
6th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Ice Braking | 6th of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 4th of 8 |