Toyo Extensa HP II Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 80%
Wet Conditions – 70%
Snow – 60%
Comfort – 80%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 90%
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You’ll often hear people say that you should consider premium tires for the best performance. I generally agree with the statement, but up to a point. The idea behind getting the best performance is true in some cases, but in others, you won’t need to pay as much.
The idea behind a premium performance tire is sound, but what if you’re looking for something more affordable? This is where tires from the mid-range segment come into play. While they may not be on the same level in every metric as the premium ones, they are more affordable, which can be a good bargain for some people.
There are plenty of options in this segment, and the one I’ll be reviewing today is from Toyo. The model in question is the Extensa HP II, an all-season performance-oriented tire made for sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, etc.
So, does going for a cheaper option mean you’ll be compromising the performance, or is there a target group for the Extensa HP II?
Pros
- Responsive with plenty of feedback
- The ride quality is pretty good for a performance tire
- Dry performance is enough even for spirited drivers
- Affordable
Cons
- Traction in snowy conditions is average at best
- Wet performance is behind that of some of its rivals, especially those from the premium segment
The Features of the Toyo Extensa HP II
The Extensa HP II is an all-season performance tire, with most of its features revolving around that. With that said, there is a little bit of something that makes it refined enough.
Like many all-season tires, the Extensa HP II is a model made from a special silica rubber compound. The result of this is a tire that can perform well in wet and winter conditions without sacrificing longevity.
Speaking of winter performance, the tire’s design features multi-wave sipes, which serve two purposes. The first one is related to winter performance, enabling the tire to offer performance in lighter winter conditions. On the other hand, this feature should also help the tire keep the noise levels lower.
The tread pattern is directional, which can help in multiple areas. Thanks to the design, the Extensa HP II should remain stable and improve its handling characteristics. In addition to that, the pattern is tweaked to help improve the refinement levels.
An essential part of a performance tire is the block stiffness and stability, and Toyo also thought of that. The Extensa HP II features single- and double-cut tapers designed to make the blocks stiffer, thus improving handling and braking distances.
Toyo Extensa HP II in Dry Conditions
Dry performance is something that very few tires struggle with, and the same goes for the Extensa HP II.
In daily driving scenarios, the Extensa HP II is a tire that won’t have too many weaknesses. The grip and traction levels are pretty solid, and you won’t feel like you’re driving a mid-range tire. Since it’s a performance tire, you can push it, and it won’t struggle too much. Even with more powerful cars, the tire will comply and deliver on most of the promises.
Since we are talking about a mid-range model, the performance is behind that of premium tires. With that said, unless you drive the Extensa HP II back-to-back with “expensive” models, you probably won’t notice a massive difference on public roads unless you push it really hard.
One thing I have to praise about the Extensa HP II is the way it handles. It’s quite dynamic, responding to your inputs quickly while providing you with plenty of feedback.
Toyo Extensa HP II on Wet or Slippery Roads
As an upgrade over the previous generation, the Extensa HP II brings some improvements in wet conditions. With that said, it’s important to be aware of the limitations.
Driving on damp roads in a normal manner is no problem for the Extensa HP II. The tire delivers more than enough grip and traction for daily driving, so you won’t notice it struggling too much. When you combine this with the short braking distances, you’re getting a solid package.
The most important thing to note here is that even though the Extensa HP II is an excellent performer, it’s not on the same level as its premium rivals. You can push it, but you’ll reach the limits sooner than compared to models from Michelin or Continental.
Driving in harsh rain is something that the Extensa HP II does with ease. Thanks to the tread pattern, Toyo made a tire that offers excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Toyo Extensa HP II in Snow
All-season tires are usable in winter conditions, and the Extensa HP II delivers on that front. While it sounds great, the tire has some limitations.
The traction on packed and unpacked snow is acceptable, and the Extensa HP II won’t struggle too much in lighter conditions. It’s important to mention that this is in situations where you’re not too aggressive. Getting a bit carried away will reveal that this tire isn’t the best all-season model on the market.
You can rely on the Extensa HP II only in lighter conditions and without too much aggressiveness. If you start to push it even a bit, it will begin to struggle for traction. You should also keep in mind that the braking distances aren’t the shortest, even in the mid-range segment.
Toyo Extensa HP II Off-Roading
Considering that the Extensa HP II is a performance tire for the road, you can expect it to perform poorly in off-road conditions. You may drive it on a dirt road and be fine, but keep in mind that the rubber compound of these tires isn’t cut and chip resistant. This means that the chances of damaging it are greater than that of an all-terrain or mud-terrain tire.
Toyo Extensa HP II for Sporty Driving
Sporty driving is what the Extensa HP II is all about, and it does that very well. It’s not the absolute best in this regard, but it’s pretty good for people looking for a dynamic tire.
The combination of performance and handling is what makes the Extensa HP II a good option for sporty driving, especially in dry conditions. There’s more than enough grip and traction to push it, and have no issues. The responsive and communicative nature will help you find the limits without doing something unpredictable.
Does the Toyo Extensa HP II Ride Comfortably?
Performance and refinement rarely go together in a package, but that’s an exception with the Extensa HP II.
The tire’s comfort levels are pretty good, considering its category. It offers a smooth ride and deals with bumps and imperfections quite well. The Extensa HP II dampens larger impacts and manages to minimize the vibrations. It’s not a touring tire, but as a performance one, it’s pretty good.
It’s the same story with the noise levels. While I wouldn’t compare it with something like the Turanza QuietTrack, I can say that it’s pretty quiet. The hum is there and you will hear it, but it won’t be too intrusive and obnoxious like with some of its rivals.
Toyo Extensa HP II Warranty
Even though the Extensa HP II is a mid-range tire, the warranty is excellent. The tire’s 45,000-mile treadwear warranty is on the same level as some of its premium rivals, like the Pilot Sport All Season 4.
Toyo Extensa HP II Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
The price is the main thing that most people would find attractive in a tire like the Extensa HP II. For an 18-inch model, Toyo offers this tire at a significantly lower price when compared with its premium rivals. This includes even modes like the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus or the Potenza RE980AS+, which are considered the more affordable premium tires.
Should I Buy the Toyo Extensa HP II?
There are several factors to consider when deciding whether or not you should get the Extensa HP II. The performance is solid but not the best, which is the most important thing to note.
The tire does a very good job in dry conditions and even though it’s not the best in wet, I cannot fault it too much. For winter performance, the Extensa HP II is fine, but you’ll need to be easy with it. The two main advantages are the price and refinement. It’s an affordable option that isn’t too harsh or loud.
While I wouldn’t say it’s an excellent option for anyone, if you want an affordable, well-refined tire that delivers decent performance, the Extensa HP II is a good choice. Keep in mind that it’s not the only one, so you can at least keep this model in mind.
What Vehicles Will the Toyo Extensa HP II Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Toyo Extensa HP II will fit:
- Acura TLX
- Alfa Romeo Giulia
- BMW 3, 5 Series
- Honda Civic, Accord
- Lexus IS
- Mazda 3
- Mitsubishi Lancer
- Subaru Impreza
- Toyota Corolla, GR86
Tire Sizes of the Toyo Extensa HP II
15″
- 195/45R15 78V
- 195/50R15 86V XL
- 195/55R15 85V
16″
- 185/55R16 83V
- 195/50R16 84V
- 195/55R16 87V
- 205/45R16 87V XL
- 205/50R16 91V XL
- 205/55R16 94V XL
- 215/55R16 97V XL
- 225/50R16 92V
- 245/50R16 97V
- 205/40R17 84W XL
17″
- 205/45R17 88W XL
- 205/50R17 93W XL
- 215/45R17 91W XL
- 215/50R17 95W XL
- 215/55R17 94V
- 225/45R17 94W XL
- 225/50R17 98W XL
- 225/55R17 97V
- 235/45R17 97W XL
- 235/50R17 100W XL
- 235/55R17 99V
- 245/45R17 99W XL
- 255/45R17 98W
- 275/40R17 98W
- 315/35R17 102W
18″
- 225/40R18 92W XL
- 225/45R18 95W XL
- 225/50R18 99W XL
- 235/40R18 95W XL
- 235/45R18 94W
- 235/50R18 101W XL
- 235/55R18 100V
- 245/40R18 97W XL
- 245/45R18 100W XL
- 245/55R18 103V
- 255/35R18 94W XL
- 255/45R18 103W XL
- 275/40R18 99W
19″
- 225/45R19 96W XL
- 235/35R19 91W XL
- 235/40R19 96W XL
- 245/40R19 98W XL
- 245/45R19 102W XL
- 255/35R19 96W XL
- 265/35R19 98W XL
- 275/40R19 105W XL
20″
- 225/35R20 90W XL
- 245/35R20 95W XL
- 245/40R20 99W XL
- 245/45R20 103W XL
- 255/35R20 97W XL
- 275/30R20 97W XL
- 275/35R20 102W XL
- 275/40R20 106W XL
22″
- 265/35R22 102V XL