Strengths & weaknessesDry, WetValue, SnowRelative to its rivals across every test we hold
Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated October 2025.
Across the 1 wet-braking test it has featured in, the Yokohama W Drive stops 4.8% longer than premium rivals, 3.2% longer than mid-range rivals and 13.8% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 57/100, and owners rate it 7.1/10 in the wet from 14 reviews.
How good is the Yokohama W Drive in the dry?
Across the 1 dry-braking test it has featured in, the Yokohama W Drive stops 4% shorter than premium rivals, 4% shorter than mid-range rivals and level with budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 98/100, and owners rate it 7.7/10 in the dry from 14 reviews.
How good is the Yokohama W Drive in the snow?
Across the 1 snow-braking test it has featured in, the Yokohama W Drive stops 13.1% longer than premium rivals, 10.2% longer than mid-range rivals and 13.1% longer than budget rivals. Across the 1 snow-traction test, it is 10.1% worse than premium rivals, 6.1% worse than mid-range rivals and 8% worse than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews snow score of 6/100, and owners rate it 5.5/10 in the snow from 14 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Yokohama W Drive?
Across the 1 test measuring rolling resistance, the Yokohama W Drive's rolling resistance is 7.2% higher than premium rivals, 2.9% higher than mid-range rivals and 13.4% higher than budget rivals.
What is the Yokohama W Drive's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Yokohama W Drive most commonly carries EU label ratings of E for fuel efficiency, C for wet grip and 72 dB for noise.
More questions about the Yokohama W Drive(4)
How comfortable and quiet are the Yokohama W Drive?
Owners rate the Yokohama W Drive 7.7 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 13 reviews.
How well do the Yokohama W Drive wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Yokohama W Drive 7.8 out of 10 for wear across 13 reviews. 8 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 10,000 miles.
Would owners buy the Yokohama W Drive again?
57% of owners say they would buy the Yokohama W Drive again, based on the 14 owner reviews that answered the question. 50% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What sizes does the Yokohama W Drive come in?
The Yokohama W Drive is available in 4 sizes, ranging from 175-235/50-65 R14-18.
Across 14 owner ratings the Yokohama W Drive averages 71%. Owners rate Road Feedback highest at 8.1 out of 10 and Snow Grip lowest at 5.5. 8 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 69% of owners score it 70% or better.
Owner ratings averaged from 14 ratings
Owner score71%
Road Feedback81%
Wear78%
Dry Grip77%
Comfort77%
Wet Grip71%
Handling71%
Ice Grip60%
Snow Grip55%
Featured reviews
Most helpful 43%
“what a noisy, useless piece of... I've never driven tires like that. On dry they were just enough to move, nothing more. No feeling, no comfort. On wet it was terrible, even sometimes dangerous. The only tires, when I...”
“Had these on my 535d last year, stored over the summer and back on this winter. In temps ranging from 11c to 0c the car is dangerous. Traction control light on the whole time, and like the driver of the 335d Touring...”
“Absolutely great tires! So far I have driven 34000 miles using them in various conditions, from dry cold through wet mud up to heavy snow and black ice. Thread is still enough deep. Wear is okay when pressure is okay or...”
what a noisy, useless piece of... I've never driven tires like that. On dry they were just enough to move, nothing more. No feeling, no comfort. On wet it was terrible, even sometimes dangerous. The only tires, when I lost control driving 30 mph on the curver motorway exit - rear end started to overtake. I was driving a while, so tires were warm, outside was cold and rainy, but since then I drove many more tires, incl. all season, and none was so dangerous. Noisy, hard as stone, although they were 4 y old wehn I sold the car. Only plus - wear. They seemed to be eternal.
Overall I am happy with my winter tires, this is the second winter that I've had them on the car and boxing day was the first day I have driven in snow and I am very glad to say they were excellent.
Previously my 5 series would get stuck on level ground in the snow and I struggled to get it moving even with a push, but now there is no stopping it, the new worry is the car behind that probably doesn't have the ability to stop as quick as me.
I run Michelin PS2 in summer and that is the best tire I have had, so the Yokahama W - drive has a lot to keep up with and if I'm honest the grip level reduction in dry weather was noticeable with the Yoko's. In slightly damp weather my traction control light comes on quite often, but in the same conditions the PS2'S wouldn't lose any traction at all (even at the same temperature).
In cold conditions below 7c I feel more confident with the wDrives, I've lost traction a few times on roundabouts but I was pushing it and they were progressive and I maintained control.
The main reason I got these was the brand name and previous glowing reviews on here and a good price for tires and alloy package but in hindsight I wish I had gone for the Nokians, Michelin Alpine or Continental TS850s
In total I paid £1500 for the alloys and tires 245 40 18 run flats.
Which tires do you drive?
Researching the Yokohama W Drive? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
Had these on my 535d last year, stored over the summer and back on this winter. In temps ranging from 11c to 0c the car is dangerous. Traction control light on the whole time, and like the driver of the 335d Touring, the rear end has no grip and fishtails like mad (that is until t/c cuts in). Genuinely think that these are the most dangerous tires I have ever had.
Can't praise these tires enough on my A5 Quattro they wear brilliantly, grip very well even through the last 3 summers aswell as winters. In Scotland's weather they are ideal.
I swapped to these winter tires in Oct, i havent really pushed my car like i would in the warmer dryer weather, but i equally do not hang around, i feel they are a good all round winter tire, only issue is greasy dirty roads but then again no tire can deal with that very well.
I am fairly impressed with the grip in minus temperatures, i have had a few slides on corners but they are predictable and i feel its more than likely me expecting too much in the ice, havent tried them in the snow yet.
I fitted these tires, sold to me as "premium" to a 2006 BMW 335d Touring. Expecting slight compromises over my usual Summer tires, I drove fairly cautiously, especially as Winter tires need a lot of "scrubbing in." What I got was a set of tires, costing me over £500 that made my car genuinely dangerous. The traction light was constantly on despite gentle driving and the car fishtailed so badly that we avoided overtaking anything. The tires are back with Yokohama for analysis but I fear they will just be sent back and I will have wasted a lot of money. I'm sure they work fine in snow and ice but they are dreadful in warmer conditions which we experience commonly in a UK Winter. I will update if Yokohama do offer a refund but I am expecting to have to try and sell these terrible tires on. I'm an IAM and Police trained driver and have owned the car five years so know it very well.
Absolutely great tires! So far I have driven 34000 miles using them in various conditions, from dry cold through wet mud up to heavy snow and black ice. Thread is still enough deep. Wear is okay when pressure is okay or even a bit higher than recommended. Otherwise may worn be out far more quick.
Not pushed these tires to the limit as I am not generaly a fast driver and my first winter with these fitted was unusually mild but I grip has been excellent. The only tiome they broke traction was on a wet diesel covered roundabout and the car refused to turn. The tyes eventually bit and I carried on without too much drama unlike a previous motorist who had skidded off. Wear is so far good and ride is comfortable and quiet.
Excellent all-round tire for winter. It's not a genuine hardcore winter tire like Nokian Hakappelita, but I guess it's better than other Nokians. Excellent for driving on asphalt in winter. Even managed to get out from wet ground off the road while my right side was on road with ice. Not pricey. Would buy again.
Very impressed by these tires, they are good both in wet/snow/ice or dry conditions and in pretty much all seasons. However I would not recommend using them in summer.
had these on since october now cant belive how much they transformed my car in the snow and ice. so good infact ive towed countless cars struggleing to clime the hill outside our house.
