Nokian WR G2's vs. Toyo Versados

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Thanks for the info. How did the Toyo Versado do?


In the "Performance All-Season" group both the Nokian WR G2 and the Toyo Versado LX were tested, in the H-rated and V-rated categories, respectively.

The ratings for the WR G2(H) are first, with the Versado LX(V) second...

Dry Braking = Very Good / Excellent
Wet Braking = Very Good / Very Good
Handling = Very Good / Excellent
Hydroplaning = Very Good / Very Good
Snow Traction = Good / Fair
Ice Braking = Good / Good
Ride Comfort = Very Good / Good
Noise = Good / Very Good
Rolling Resistance = Very Good / Fair
Tread Life = Fair / Fair

The Nokian WR G2 came in third overall in its group, with a recommendation. The Toyo Versado LX scored a fifth place in its group, without a recommendation. The Toyo was outscored in its category (V-rated) by the similarly priced Dunlop Signature, which had a better snow traction rating and was recommended.

Hope that helps.

 

[DaveL]

On my 2005 V70 (wife's car), I run Versado's in the summer and WR's (predecessor to WRG2) in the winter. I have two other cars on which I run the WR G2 year round. In my experience, both the Versado and WR G2's are very good tires, but if I were selecting one of them for year round use in a climate that got much snow or slush, it would be the WR G2s.

I did have one startup problem with the Versado's. The shop could not get them balanced to my satisfaction and ended up (after extended discussions and their 4th attempt at balancing) replacing them with a new set that balanced just fine. The shop claimed that they could not tell that the tires were out of round, but agreed that they were never able to balance the first set as well as they should have balanced.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: rshunter
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Thanks for the info. How did the Toyo Versado do?


In the "Performance All-Season" group both the Nokian WR G2 and the Toyo Versado LX were tested, in the H-rated and V-rated categories, respectively.

The ratings for the WR G2(H) are first, with the Versado LX(V) second...

Dry Braking = Very Good / Excellent
Wet Braking = Very Good / Very Good
Handling = Very Good / Excellent
Hydroplaning = Very Good / Very Good
Snow Traction = Good / Fair
Ice Braking = Good / Good
Ride Comfort = Very Good / Good
Noise = Good / Very Good
Rolling Resistance = Very Good / Fair
Tread Life = Fair / Fair

The Nokian WR G2 came in third overall in its group, with a recommendation. The Toyo Versado LX scored a fifth place in its group, without a recommendation. The Toyo was outscored in its category (V-rated) by the similarly priced Dunlop Signature, which had a better snow traction rating and was recommended.

Hope that helps.


It does help and thanks very much! I started reading reviews on the Dunlop Signature and several of the reviews stated they were horrible in wet and snow conditions....contridicts what CR says........grrrrrrr this is frustrating!

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: DaveL
On my 2005 V70 (wife's car), I run Versado's in the summer and WR's (predecessor to WRG2) in the winter. I have two other cars on which I run the WR G2 year round. In my experience, both the Versado and WR G2's are very good tires, but if I were selecting one of them for year round use in a climate that got much snow or slush, it would be the WR G2s.

I did have one startup problem with the Versado's. The shop could not get them balanced to my satisfaction and ended up (after extended discussions and their 4th attempt at balancing) replacing them with a new set that balanced just fine. The shop claimed that they could not tell that the tires were out of round, but agreed that they were never able to balance the first set as well as they should have balanced.


What kind of road noise do you get with the WR G2's on dry pavement? Do they wear good? Also did they get another set of Versados for you balanced properly or get you another tire all together?

 

[DaveL]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.

What kind of road noise do you get with the WR G2's on dry pavement? Do they wear good? Also did they get another set of Versados for you balanced properly or get you another tire all together?


On some roads at moderate speeds (20-30 mph) I get some humming on the WRs - but I have never noticed the same noise from the WR G2s on the other cars(Accord and Forester). At higher speeds the WRs are slightly louder than the Versados, but not objectionable.

I don't keep track of the mileage at which I switch winter/summer tires, so I can't say for certain about the wear. My impression is that they are wearing well. This will be the 5th (and maybe last) winter I am running the WRs. I might end up running them through next summer, but I tend to retire winter use tires no later than about 4/32, sometimes sooner.


I got another set of Versados.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: DaveL
Originally Posted By: Chris B.

What kind of road noise do you get with the WR G2's on dry pavement? Do they wear good? Also did they get another set of Versados for you balanced properly or get you another tire all together?


On some roads at moderate speeds (20-30 mph) I get some humming on the WRs - but I have never noticed the same noise from the WR G2s on the other cars(Accord and Forester). At higher speeds the WRs are slightly louder than the Versados, but not objectionable.

I don't keep track of the mileage at which I switch winter/summer tires, so I can't say for certain about the wear. My impression is that they are wearing well. This will be the 5th (and maybe last) winter I am running the WRs. I might end up running them through next summer, but I tend to retire winter use tires no later than about 4/32, sometimes sooner.


I got another set of Versados.


Did you ever drive in the snow with the Versados? If so how did they do? Thanks again!

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
It does help and thanks very much! I started reading reviews on the Dunlop Signature and several of the reviews stated they were horrible in wet and snow conditions....contridicts what CR says........grrrrrrr this is frustrating!

Keep in mind that the speed rating can make a big difference, even in the same model.

 

[DaveL]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Originally Posted By: DaveL
Originally Posted By: Chris B.

What kind of road noise do you get with the WR G2's on dry pavement? Do they wear good? Also did they get another set of Versados for you balanced properly or get you another tire all together?


On some roads at moderate speeds (20-30 mph) I get some humming on the WRs - but I have never noticed the same noise from the WR G2s on the other cars(Accord and Forester). At higher speeds the WRs are slightly louder than the Versados, but not objectionable.

I don't keep track of the mileage at which I switch winter/summer tires, so I can't say for certain about the wear. My impression is that they are wearing well. This will be the 5th (and maybe last) winter I am running the WRs. I might end up running them through next summer, but I tend to retire winter use tires no later than about 4/32, sometimes sooner.


I got another set of Versados.


Did you ever drive in the snow with the Versados? If so how did they do? Thanks again!


Never used the Versado's in more than a light dusting - when I was late getting the winter tires on. For that kind of very light snow they were fine. I had already planned to use a winter tire when I got the Versados. I didn't try them in snow and then decide I needed something better.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: DaveL
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Originally Posted By: DaveL
Originally Posted By: Chris B.

What kind of road noise do you get with the WR G2's on dry pavement? Do they wear good? Also did they get another set of Versados for you balanced properly or get you another tire all together?


On some roads at moderate speeds (20-30 mph) I get some humming on the WRs - but I have never noticed the same noise from the WR G2s on the other cars(Accord and Forester). At higher speeds the WRs are slightly louder than the Versados, but not objectionable.

I don't keep track of the mileage at which I switch winter/summer tires, so I can't say for certain about the wear. My impression is that they are wearing well. This will be the 5th (and maybe last) winter I am running the WRs. I might end up running them through next summer, but I tend to retire winter use tires no later than about 4/32, sometimes sooner.


I got another set of Versados.


Did you ever drive in the snow with the Versados? If so how did they do? Thanks again!


Never used the Versado's in more than a light dusting - when I was late getting the winter tires on. For that kind of very light snow they were fine. I had already planned to use a winter tire when I got the Versados. I didn't try them in snow and then decide I needed something better.


Talked to my local Volvo repair shop today. They said they have been using Versados for a while and mentioned they did really good in snow. They also mentioned I should look into a tire called "extenza" if I remember correctly. This shop is starting to use these and found them to be great in snow and also hot dry roads as well. They said the Extenza may bet better then Versado but they are not 100% sure yet. They did say some of their other Volvo customers bought the Nokian WRG2's and really like them.

 

[rjundi]

After our first major winter storm. My wife has nearly new Continental ExtremeContact DWS's and noticed a significant loss of control vs her well worn Nokian WR G2's(>40k).

She misses her Nokian WR G2's.

 

[Astro14]

Just got a chance to try the WR G2s in real winter conditions (12+" of snow in Virginia Beach, icy slushy roads still).

They are great winter tires and are comparable to the Hakkapelitta line...

On the dry pavement, they are quiet and smooth.

These are the best all-seasons I have ever owned...worth every penny.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
Just got a chance to try the WR G2s in real winter conditions (12+" of snow in Virginia Beach, icy slushy roads still).

They are great winter tires and are comparable to the Hakkapelitta line...

On the dry pavement, they are quiet and smooth.

These are the best all-seasons I have ever owned...worth every penny.


Good to hear! How many miles do you have on them and what kind of car?

 

[Astro14]

2002 Volvo V-70 XC. The AWD masks low traction very well and puts the power to the ground in awful conditions, but it was the turning/braking performance on wet ice that impressed me...

About 3K total on the tires, replaced a set of Yokohama Avid TRZs. The Yokos were good in the dry and wet, but only fair in snow/ice...and they wore out quickly...at 30K they were down to about 3/32" tread depth.

The AWD means that you have to keep tires pretty close in diameter (max difference in tread depth between all 4 tires is 2/32").

Tread depth below 4/32" results in reduced wet performance. Anything below 6/32" reduces snow performance...so this fall I replaced all 4.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
2002 Volvo V-70 XC. The AWD masks low traction very well and puts the power to the ground in awful conditions, but it was the turning/braking performance on wet ice that impressed me...

About 3K total on the tires, replaced a set of Yokohama Avid TRZs. The Yokos were good in the dry and wet, but only fair in snow/ice...and they wore out quickly...at 30K they were down to about 3/32" tread depth.

The AWD means that you have to keep tires pretty close in diameter (max difference in tread depth between all 4 tires is 2/32").

Tread depth below 4/32" results in reduced wet performance. Anything below 6/32" reduces snow performance...so this fall I replaced all 4.


Thanks again. So how do they grip on dry hot/cold pavement? I have Michlen Pilots on my Volvo S40 AWD and they are aweful. almost bald with only 24,000 miles on them. Rotated every 5K and at 10,000 miles they became so loud is was embarassing. Oddly enough the car still does great in snow! Must be the AWD. Can't wait to get new tires and a set or the WR's will probably be the ones.

 

[Astro14]

Interesting question - I haven't really driven the XC hard to know how the WR G2s do on dry at the limit. Just looking at the tread, I doubt the WR G2s are close to the Pilots or the Continental DWS (which I have on my V-70 T5) for ultimate cornering - tall tread blocks and open design will probably squirm in hard cornering/braking.

If you're looking for pilot-like performance, you should consider the Continental DWS...They do very well in dry/wet cornering, but not quite as well as the WR G2s in the snow/ice...

I am impressed that this set of WR G2 all seasons would come close to dedicated winter tires...

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
I am impressed that this set of WR G2 all seasons would come close to dedicated winter tires...

Yes, if I had an AWD car, and did not live in the northern tier 'ice belt', I would use them as a dedicated winter tire as well.

They also look like they would be the perfect compromise tire for Pro Rally stage workers/marshalls (very good on the dirt/gravel/muddy forest stage roads, but also decent handling on the dry asphalt transit roads).