Best Tires for the Mazda 626

Worst tires ever. Going up a moderate hill in the wet at constant 55kph and started slowing down. Dropped down a gear and wondered what was happening. Tires didn't have enough traction in wet to go up the hill at a constant speed. My daughter had an accident with them. Virtually zero braking ability going down mild hill in wet (brakes had been checked 3 days before). In the dry, on hot seal tarmac, had to slip clutch to avoid tire squeal/loss of traction. Vehicle was a 2.0liter Mazda 626 manual. Absolute death trap tires. After vehicle repaired, tires removed and replaced with Pirelli P7 Cinturato which are absolutely brilliant in comparison and showed none of the problems of the Dunlops. NEVER EVER BUY THESE TYRES

My first Eco tire and from this experience, I believe my last, at least for a while. While rolling resistance is appreciably reduced and car decelerates slower when coasting to traffic lights, there appear to be way too many compromises, at least in this iteration, for that lower rolling resistance which in my case translates to about 2-3 percent fuel saving.

Ride is a bit harder than all the other "touring" tires I've had, and wet grip, especially braking on damp surfaces is pretty dismal. Additionally, this poor wet grip is not offset by low wear either, and it looks like I'll get just my average 20k miles from my set ("rotated" front-to-back just once). Wear though is even, and tires retain their balance well.

On the plus side, the tires are quiet on all surfaces and grip and handle pretty well in the dry. And they were reasonably priced.

I can't help but think that any of the touring (non Eco) tires I used on this car would have outperformed this TEO Plus in ALL aspects, by just increasing their pressures 10 percent over recommended. I had definitely expected more from Toyo.

Great winter tires, on dry these Yokohamas are like summer tires, grip is excellent. On wet there is no problem, even a few cm of water was not a big deal but that was not with highway speed, up to 80kmph. Snow traction is great, no problem in deep snow but I had only one trip on snow in town so it is hard to say how good they are on snow.
They are comfortable, but should be better. Will buy again definitelly.
Thread pattern is similar to Continental, but I like this one more :D.

I bought these tires because they won most tire tests. I was verry happy with them when they were new. Good grip on dry and wet, I was able to go faster then other cars when heavy rain (but that may be in drivers heads or tire size and not the actual tires).

Every year, with depth of the tread going down, they were worse and worse. They got hard every year. Fifth year, they were worse then my winter tires in spring when I changed tires. They had about 4mm tread. So the more you drive, the worse the tires get.
They were pretty expensive (comparing to others in this size) so I expected more from them.
Last year, I got puncture when I accidentally drive over hidden curb, sidewall was destroyed - 10 holes on outerside, 3 on innerside. Maybe my fault, but I got worse accident with different and older tires (on old car) without problem.

Won't buy again, for me, Continental makes tires for tests, tires changes a lot with years and wear.

My first Toyo tires and not the last. I switched to these Toyo tires after Continental ContiPremium 5. Conti were great, but every year worse and worse.

Tires feels glued to the road on dry and wet conditions. I was too fast in one curve, which was sharper then I expected and I believed that I will slide but the tires hold me on the road.
Sidewall is too soft, I can feel it during faster cornering but that means they are comfortable. Harder sidewalls a little and loosing some comfort would be better. Soft sidewall also means longer reaction when turning the steering wheel.
I have no problem with the tires during heavy rain on highway with 130km/h speed, they feels safe on wet. No problem with braking on dry or wet. I think that they brake on wet much better then Continentals.

Wear is not visible yet, but I am low on mileage so no problem for me if wear too fast, I will have to change to new tires after 4 year if weared to 3mm or 6mm.

No sliding the wheels during fast starts - kickdowns. I had a lot of these, usually on wet with Continentals..

Made in JAPAN.

Absolutely brillant! After 10000 miles tires still keep the comfort. Wet and dry drive is excellent. I used them in snowy road and surprisingly good at snow. I will but it again or try next model.

Dangerous on wet roads. Wheel slip on our Mazda 626 front wheel drive car

We need to drive slowly and use our other car if it rains. Don't buy, we need to replace them even though they are not worn out. Bad idea, was not helped by the tire retailer.

The fronts lasted 19000 miles backs 35000 in fact still going when car was scrapped. I found the handling to be good but then i,m no boy racer. As with so many things in life tires are a compromise. The compromise of a hard compound tire such as Mechelin energy is some loss in grip. That why bike sports tires are dual compound If i had a Mazda mx5 and not a 626 family saloon i would not buy Mechelin energy tires. However because (in order of priority) i value safety comfort longevity and economy these tires are the ones for me. And I think tread pattern can only do so much to improve handling. So as for Price per mile Michelin energy tires just can't be beat. Boy racers these tires are not for you!