Nokian WR G4 Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 85%
Wet Conditions – 92%
Snow – 90%
Comfort – 85%
Noise Reduction – 84%
Durability – 81%
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At its release in 2018, the Nokian WR G4 was dubbed by many as the ‘all-season tire killer’. This was because it promised to combine excellent dry handling (which A/S tires are famous for) with the kind of cold weather traction and grip A/S tires can’t offer.
Fast forward five years, and the above prediction is yet to come true. However, that isn’t because of any inherent shortcomings in the WR G4. As our review of this all-weather tire will show, the WR G4 has most things needed to earn a place on your car or SUV.
Think of excellent road manners when the roads are dry. Short braking distances in the rain and snow. The ability to wear evenly for long-lasting tread life. All these (and multiple other) qualities make the WR G4 one of the best all-weather tires on the market.
Yet there are areas where it could do better. During our testing, the WR G4 showed visible signs of struggle upon hitting a small patch of ice. As such, if someone tells you that this tire has what it takes to replace premium winter tires, they aren’t speaking the truth.
Pros
- Comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Performs reliably on snow-covered roads
- Short stopping distances on dry and wet pavement
Cons
- Isn’t the most responsive
The Features of the Nokian WR G4
Several features make the WR G4 one of the market’s leading all-weather tires.
Start with its ‘Dual Performance’ tread compound. Containing silica and resin in unequal parts, the compound gives the rubber an optimal balance of summer and winter properties. Additionally, it also provides this model with strong wear resistance.
Then there are the multiple sipes, or, as Nokian calls them, Centipede Siping. These jagged sipes along the tire’s longitudinal rib help maximize the contact area. They are the primary reason why the WR G4 offers much-improved control over sun-baked surfaces.
Next comes the presence of aramid fiber in the sidewall. The aramid fiber has reinforced the sidewall against possible damage caused by cuts, chips, and punctures. In doing so, it offers peace of mind to drivers who regularly drive in challenging conditions.
Finally, Blade Grooves and Snow Claws guarantee sure-footed snow performance. The former ensure quick water evacuation to shorten braking distances in the rain. The latter, meanwhile, improve this tire’s longitudinal grip to make it more stable in harsh weather.
Nokian WR G4 in Dry Conditions
Although it’s designed with a focus on bad weather, the WR G4 does remarkably well when it’s sunny out there.
A casual drive around the neighborhood will confirm this. The WR G4 is quick to accelerate and brakes smoothly when you want it to. It also offers decent traction in the corners, even when you’re driving at high speeds. The risk of understeering or oversteering is slim.
Another impressive thing that this tire manages to do is enhance your vehicle’s fuel economy. Several drivers have stated that the WR G4 offered great mileage, especially during the first few years. So you can expect to save quite a few bucks at the petrol pump.
All in all, the WR G4 performs like premium all-season tires on dry roads. Which is perhaps the best thing you could say about any all-weather tire given their great penchant for cold weather.
Nokian WR G4 on Wet or Slippery Roads
As expected, it’s on wet surfaces that the WR G4 comes in its own.
Whether the roads are still wet from a heavy downpour or it’s still raining, this tire won’t care. It will offer the same amazing levels of traction and grip that you may expect from one of the market’s leading all-weather tires. Put simply, you’d be able to drive with confidence.
Another thing you could afford to be confident about is this tire’s aquaplaning resistance. With Blade Grooves evacuating water particles almost as soon as they enter the tread, the risk of moisture hurting the tire’s road contact and inviting slippage remains slim.
Thus, if it rains frequently where you live, the WR G4 is a no-brainer.
Nokian WR G4 in Snow
Since it’s a 3PMSF-rated tire, it should surprise no one that the WR G4 performs reliably on snow.
The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol is only awarded to tires that have met or exceeded the rater’s strict criteria for severe snow performance. Its awarding criteria is so strict that even most winter tires fail to match it, let alone all-weather or all-season tires.
Thus, the fact that the WR G4 is 3PMSF-rated should be enough to convince you of its snow-driving credentials. However, if you need more proof, the above-mentioned pliable tread compound, Snow Claws, and multiple biting edges should be enough to sway you.
Bear in mind, though, that the WR G4 may struggle on ice. It may be unable to match the traction and grip levels it offers on snow, sleet, and slush. This, in turn, may lead to longer stopping distances, though they’d still be reasonably shorter than that of rival all-season tires.
Nokian WR G4 Off-Roading
While it isn’t an off-road tire by any stretch of the imagination, the WR G4 does have what it takes to tackle challenging conditions and surprising events.
Take, for instance, the Aramid Sidewall technology. This technology has reinforced the sidewall to better withstand cuts, chips, and blows that could have broken the tire in its absence, letting you test the WR G4 on rural or broken roads every once in a while.
However, if your off-road exploits are more frequent than once every few months, then there are options out there that will better ensure your safety and your vehicle’s stability.
Nokian WR G4 for Sporty Driving
Can a tire that aims for excellent winter grip be good for sporty driving too?
While Nokian wants you to believe that the WR G4 could tick both boxes (hence why it uses the term ‘performance’ in this tire’s name), my experience suggests otherwise.
I’m not saying that this model’s sidewall will start flexing uncontrollably the moment you put your foot down the accelerator. Or that its tread will suffer visible wear after a few hundred miles of hard driving. The WR G4 can tackle such scenarios well.
It’s only when you compare its high-speed performance with that of dedicated summer tires that the WR G4 comes second best on all the metrics that matter. Think of steering response, road feedback, straight-line tracking on dry roads, and more.
Which was expected given where this tire’s priorities lie. So, I don’t think that anyone who’s in the market for an all-weather tire would look at these ‘flaws’ of the WR G4 and say to themselves, ‘Nah, these are deal breakers for me. Let’s check out another option’.
Does the Nokian WR G4 Ride Comfortably?
At the cost of sounding biased, the WR G4 is one of the most comfortable tires I have ever driven.
Many other all-weather tires I have driven over the years ticked one of two boxes. They either absorbed vibrations or dissipated road noise. Only a few could do both things to the level that got me excited (and my fellow passengers relaxed).
Luckily, the WR G4 belongs to that minority. This tire has the unique ability to repel road noise before it could enter the cabin and hurt ride quality. It’s also very good at dampening ride-related shocks, letting you enjoy the drive in (almost) absolute silence.
Nokian WR G4 Warranty
Nokian backs the WR G4 with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.
A 5-year workmanship and material defects guarantee is also on offer, provided no exceptions to warranty coverage apply. This guarantee can be availed if the tire becomes unserviceable as a result of workmanship or material-related defect.
On face value, both these warranties seem unremarkable. Dig deep, though, and there’s plenty to appreciate about the 60K tread guarantee. That is because it’s rare to find a tire with a focus on wet and snow performance to come with such an extended backing.
Nokian WR G4 Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
At the time of writing, the WR G4’s asking price starts from $102.99.
The above figure might make you think that Nokian is ripping you off. In reality, though, the WR G4 is more affordable than rival all-weather tires.
Take the Michelin CrossClimate 2. This all-weather tire is a direct rival of the WR G4, and, with prices starting from almost $170, is much more expensive.
Considering that the WR G4 performs better on dry roads, offers enhanced wet traction and is equally reliable on the snow, the price difference is inexplicable.
Should I Buy the Nokian WR G4?
Do you regularly drive on wet roads? Don’t want to invest in a separate set of winter tires when the snow hits the tarmac later this year? If so, opt for the Nokian WR G4.
Sure, there are a few areas where this tire could do better. But look around and you’ll notice that no tire is faultless. What makes the WR G4 unique is that its major flaw (average grip on ice) can be overcome by a combination of skillful and patient driving.
As such, invest in this model if you want a tire that performs reliably 365 days a year (especially more so when the weather takes a turn for the worse).
What Vehicles Will the Nokian WR G4 Fit?
Here’s a sample list of the vehicles that the WR G4 fits:
- Toyota Camry, Corolla, Highlander
- Honda Passport, CRV, Odyssey
- Mazda 3, CX-5, CX-9
- Ford Focus, Explorer, F-150
- Volkswagen Jetta, Passat, Atlas
- Kia Forte, Optima, Sorento, Niro
Tire Sizes of the Nokian WR G4
15″
- 185/60R15(84H)
- 185/65R15(88H)
- 175/65R15(84H)
- 205/60R15(91H)
- 195/65R15(91H)
- 205/65R15(94H)
- 195/60R15(88H)
16″
- 205/60R16(92V)
- 215/55R16(97H)
- 205/55R16(91V)
- 205/65R16(95H)
- 225/60R16(98V)
- 215/60R16(95H)
- 235/60R16(100H)
17″
- 235/55R17(99V)
- 215/50R17(95V)
- 225/45R17(91H)
- 205/50R17(93V)
- 225/50R17(98V)
- 235/45R17(97V)
- 225/45R17(94V)
- 225/55R17(101V)
- 215/65R17(103H)
- 215/45R17(91V)
- 215/55R17(94V)
- 245/45R17(99V)
18″
- 225/60R18(100W)
- 235/50R18(101V)
- 225/40R18(92V)
- 235/45R18(98V)
- 235/40R18(95V)
- 225/45R18(95V)
- 245/40R18(97V)
- 245/45R18(100V)
- 245/55R18(103W)
19″
- 245/45R19(102V)
- 255/35R19(96V)
- 235/40R19(96W)
- 245/40R19(98W)
20″
- 245/40R20(99W)