Pros
- Marvelous comfort combined with low noise levels
- High levels of grip and traction in dry and wet conditions
- Comfortable and quiet
- Very responsive
Cons
- Some competitors offer a longer warranty
- Winter performance is limited
Considering that there are tons of car options available on the market, you’d probably think that all of them would run different types of tires? Wrong. For the most part, people are after tires that can deliver a comfortable ride, combined with a long lifespan. Yes, there are those that want something with better performance, but the majority aren’t looking for that.
Touring tires aren’t something new, and companies have been making them for ages. Having tires that can excel in one area means that they won’t be as good in another, and the same is true for these. Comfort and longevity are a priority, while extreme performance isn’t. This is the reason why you won’t see many people on the track with a set of touring tires.
The tire industry is mainly divided into 3 categories: premium, mid-range and cheap. As you can guess, the best tires are in the premium segment, and the one I’ll be talking about comes from Yokohama. The latest addition to the brand’s lineup is the Avid Ascend GT.
Yokohama advertises this as an all-season grand touring tire. It means that you should be looking at high comfort and low noise levels, combined with long life and decent performance. Considering that the tire is among the newest, you should also expect the latest and greatest features the brand has to offer.
What are the features of the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT?
When it comes to features, Yokohama didn’t hold back and designed the Avid Ascend GT with as many features as the company could implement.
I’ll begin with the rubber compound, as that’s the crucial aspect of the all-season part. Yokohama utilized its TriBLEND technology, which is a special mixture rich with silica and low-Tg polymer. The result of this is a compound that should be capable of providing grip on dry and wet roads.
The tread pattern is another area of the Avid Ascend GT that aids in grip and traction in multiple weather conditions. The tire is designed with an asymmetric pattern that aids grip and traction and provides a more stable contact with the surface.
The shoulders feature Yokohama’s Outside Adaptive Shoulder Blocks are the touring part of the tire. Considering the category, the tire should be quiet, which should be achieved thanks to this technology. The Avid Ascend GT features a polyester casing designed to improve comfort levels.
Wet performance is backed by the 4 circumferential grooves and lateral sipes down the open shoulders. All of them work as a team to provide excellent aquaplaning resistance. The sipes are also there to help the tire have decent performance in snowy conditions.
Treadwear Rating: 4/5
How does it behave on dry tarmac?
The Avid Ascend GT is an excellent performer when it comes to dry tarmac. It may not be the absolute best, but it’s among the top in the grand touring category.
You’ll get plenty of traction, resulting in almost no slip with more powerful cars or if you have a heavy foot. The grip also won’t disappoint, and the Avid Ascend GT can offer plenty of it, even if you decide to push the tire faster into a corner.
On the handling side of things, the Avid Ascend GT is a touring tire, so don’t expect it to do wonders. With that said, the tire is decently responsive, which is on par with the rest of the premium lineup.
One thing I have to mention is the stability on the straights. The Avid Ascend GT will keep the car stable even at the top of the speed limit without any issues.
Dry Rating: 4.5/5
How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?
In rainy conditions, the Avid Ascend GT manages to retain most of the performance it was able to provide in the dry.
There are loads of grip and traction, which would easily put this tire on the top in the grand touring category. Unlike some of its competitors, the Avid Ascend GT won’t slip as often and will provide excellent levels of lateral grip.
Aquaplaning resistance is another area where the tire shines. It will remain stable and controllable when you drive through deeper puddles, even at higher speeds.
Braking distances are also impressive and are among the shortest ones in this category.
Wet Rating: 4.5/5
How is it over snow?
As an all-season tire, the Avid Ascend GT handles snow pretty well, better than I thought.
The tire’s best performance is on unpacked snow, and I believe that it’s one of the best all-season performers. Yokohama’s pattern and design enable the tire to dig in and find traction quickly. Another area where the tire excels is the braking distances, which are among the best in its class.
Ice performance is an issue, and the Avid Ascend GT isn’t very good at it. There is very limited traction, and even though all-season tires struggle, there are some that perform better.
Snow Rating: 3.5/5
Is it comfortable and refined?
It’s a premium grand touring tire, so comfort and low noise levels are all the Avid Ascend GT knows.
The comfort levels are excellent, thanks to the tire’s ability to smooth out road imperfections perfectly. If you hit a larger hole, you won’t feel anything harsh, and there are almost no vibrations.
On the noise side of things, the Avid Ascend GT is extremely quiet. Regardless if you’re driving around town or on the highway, there is almost no noise coming from it. The tire is almost as quiet as the Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack.
Comfort Rating: 4.5/5
Is it good for off-roading?
Grand touring tires aren’t good at off-roading, and the same can be said about the Avid Ascend GT. The tire isn’t designed to be driven in those conditions, so it probably won’t last that abuse for very long.
The rubber compound isn’t as durable as the one you’d find on an off-road tire, so it won’t take much to damage it.
With that said, you could drive it on a dirt road and get some performance out of it. Keep in mind that it’s not designed to perform well in an off-road situation, so the performance will be limited.
Is the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT ideal for sporty driving?
Well, I wouldn’t classify it as the best tire for sporty driving, but it has some properties that enthusiasts may like.
The responsiveness of the Avid Ascend GT is excellent, and the tire dives into a corner as soon as you turn the steering wheel. It’s not quite UHP level, but it’s not too bad for a fun drive down a twisty road.
When you pair that with the high levels of grip, you end up with a tire that can be fun enough for sporty driving. I would advise you to keep your expectations slightly low, as the tire isn’t made for that kind of driving.
Noise Rating: 4.5/5
Yokohama Avid Ascend GT Warranty
Warranty isn’t the strongest suit of the Avid Ascend GT, and I’d put it in the middle part. Yokohama offers the tire with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty.
As a comparison, you have the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S with a 55,000-mile warranty, while the Continental PureContact LS has 70,000.
Yokohama Avid Ascend GT Pricing: Is it worth the money?
The Avid Ascend GT is a decent bargain when you look at the overall package. The prices start from around $100, which isn’t the most expensive premium tire you can find on the market these days.
Similarly sized models from Continental are roughly the same price, while the Bridgestone and Michelin options are more expensive.
Value Rating: 4/5
Should I buy the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT?
If the tire is in your budget, then you should buy it, or at least consider it. The competition in the premium segment is quite strong, and pretty much all of them are an excellent choice.
Performance in dry and wet conditions is excellent. Plenty of traction, combined with loads of grip, means that you will have a safe experience even if you’re pushing the tire. The handling characteristics aren’t on par with the performance-oriented options but are pretty good for a touring tire.
Winter performance is okay-ish as long as there isn’t too much snow and it’s unpacked. In other conditions, the tire will struggle and offer limited performance.
The warranty is another area that isn’t the best in class. With a 75,000-mile treadwear warranty, there are similarly priced tires with a longer warranty.
Apart from a few minor complaints, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT is an excellent tire that won’t disappoint.
Overall Rating: 4/5
What Vehicles Will the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT will fit:
- Acura TSX
- Audi A4, A6
- BMW 3, 5 Series
- Ford Mondeo, Fiesta, Focus, Puma
- Hyundai i10, i10, i30, Elantra
- Kia Optima, Stinger
- Lexus IS, GS, LS, ES
- Mazda 2, 3, 6
- Nissan Altima, Sentra
- Subaru Impreza, Legacy
- Toyota Corolla, Celica, Prius, Avensis, Auris, Camry
- Volkswagen Beetle, Eos, Jetta, Golf
Tire Sizes for Yokohama Avid Ascend GT
15″
- 175/65R15
- 185/55R15
- 185/60R15
- 185/65R15
- 195/60R15
- 195/65R15
- 205/65R15
- 205/70R15
- 215/70R15
16″
- 185/55R16
- 195/50R16
- 195/60R16
- 205/55R16
- 205/60R16
- 205/65R16
- 215/55R16
- 215/60R16
- 215/65R16
- 225/60R16
- 225/65R16
- 225/70R16
- 235/60R16
- 235/65R16
17″
- 205/50R17
- 215/50R17
- 215/55R17
- 215/60R17
- 215/65R17
- 225/45R17
- 225/50R17
- 225/55R17
- 225/60R17
- 225/65R17
- 235/45R17
- 235/60R17
- 235/65R17
18″
- 215/55R18
- 225/45R18
- 225/50R18
- 225/55R18
- 225/60R18
- 235/45R18
- 235/50R18
- 235/55R18
- 235/60R18
19″
- 235/50R19
List of Yokohama Tire Reviews
2 Comments
I see these tires like 35 dollars a piece.Stores that went under .Now banks are selling their stock
$ 35.00 ? Are you putting them on a wheelbarrow ?