Toyo Car Tyres Reviewed - Are They Actually Any Good?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 1 year ago
5 min read
- Tyres
- Review
FixMyCar discusses the pros and cons of Toyo tyres.
Overview: Toyo Tires is a mid-range brand that specialises in 4x4 and SUV tyres. Our favourite tyre by Toyo is the Proxes TR1, a high-performance summer tyre that is outstanding across the board. If you’re looking for highly durable tyres with excellent off-roading capabilities, this might be the brand for you.
If you’re reading this guide, you probably already know just how much choice there is when choosing your next set of tyres. Is it worth paying more for premium tyres? Are budget tyres durable enough? Which is the best tyre brand? These questions are all worth considering, and FixMyCar’s tyre review series is here to help answer them.
This guide focuses on Toyo Tires, a Japanese company that has been producing tyres for 70 years, including 36 in Europe.
Although Toyo Tires is a lesser-known name in the UK, make no mistake - it has plenty of experience in development, manufacturing, testing and distribution. Across the pond, North American tyre dealers have named it the number-one brand seven times since 2000.
SUV and 4x4 tyres are Toyo’s speciality, from ultra-high performance vehicles to off-roading pickup trucks. However, the company’s range is extensive, including tyres for vans, regular passenger cars, sports cars and racing vehicles.
To help you decide whether Toyo Tires is the right brand for you, we’ve analysed data from across the industry to compile this in-depth review, including:
Why Choose Tyres from Toyo?
Toyo Tires has a range of mid-range tyres for different vehicle types, so it’s a great brand to choose if you want a balance between performance and price.
Toyo’s SUV and 4x4 products are the most impressive, several of which have won awards over the years. In 2023, for instance, the Open Country AT III - an all-terrain tyre - won the tyre category award at Japan’s Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun Goods Awards.
And it isn’t just Toyo’s heavy-duty tyres that have earned favourable recognition from the automotive industry; its sport range has also been showered with praise. The Proxes Sport 2 won the Red Dot Award for Product Design 2023, and the Proxes Sport A received an ‘exemplary’ rating in the Autobild-Sportscars summer tyre test 2022, where it took third place overall.
The success of Toyo Tires comes partly down to its comprehensive approach to testing; it has one of the most rigorous testing programmes in the industry, ensuring its tyres are of consistently high quality.
Research and development play a significant role in Toyo’s strategy for delivering sustainable tyres. In 2023, it announced that, in collaboration with the University of Toyama, it had successfully synthesised butadiene rubber (a major component in car tyres) from carbon dioxide, marking an important step forward in reducing carbon through recycling CO2.
Toyo also has close links to motorsports. Its tyres are used in many different races, from VLN Endurance and Spa 24 hours to the Porsche Championship. Ahmad Daham, Guinness World Record holder and multiple drift champion, relies on Proxes R88R for unparalleled performance and reliability.
Several major car manufacturers use Toyo Tires for original equipment, including Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Audi and Lexus.
Design Features of Toyo Tyres
Features vary between tyres depending on what they were designed for. Here are a few examples:
Circumferential rib and lower void ratio on outside tread - enhances wet and dry performance.
Zig-zag tread blocks, high sipe density and snow claws - evacuate ice and snow for maximum traction.
Full-silica tread compound - provides lower fuel consumption and improved grip.
Sub groove - improves handling in all conditions.
High stiffness outer rib - provides stability and a firm grip when cornering.
Twin open slit - improves drainage.
Stone ejectors - protect against damage.
Staggered shoulder lugs - for extra off-road traction.
What Toyo Tyres Are Available?
Toyo has many tyres suitable for different purposes and vehicle categories.
Toyo Tyres for Cars
Celsius - an all-season tyre for year-round comfort, versatility and safety.
Celsius AS2 - an all-season tyre that delivers excellent performance and has a long life.
NanoEnergy 3 - designed for efficiency and fuel savings in compact and mid-range cars.
NanoEnergy R38C - a summer touring tyre that maximises performance and safety.
Proxes Comfort - a summer tyre for enjoyable everyday driving.
Proxes CF2 - an innovative summer touring tyre for high-power cars.
Proxes Sport - uses Nano Balance Technology to deliver a comfortable ride in high-speed cars.
Proxes Sport 2 - a dynamic ultra-high performance tyre with precise handling and excellent wet grip.
Proxes TR1 - an ultra-high performance summer tyre with outstanding grip and handling.
Proxes R31 - top performance all year round with exceptional responsiveness.
Proxes 30A - summer tyres for optimal safety and performance.
Proxes R39 - a quiet summer tyre with good grip and wear.
Proxes R35 - an efficient tyre with low road noise.
Proxes R54 - delivers optimal summer performance.
Proxes R32A - a summer tyre that facilitates good handling on wet and dry roads.
Proxes R51A - a premium motorsport summer tyre.
Proxes R40A - delivers premium performance all-year round.
Proxes R46 - offers greater fuel efficiency and enhanced handling.
Celsius - a versatile winter tyre for cars and SUVs.
Celsius AS2 - a durable winter tyre that delivers exceptional stability and performance.
Observe S944 - a winter tyre specifically created for the utmost safety and comfort.
Toyo Tyres for SUVs and 4x4s
Proxes Sport SUV - superior handling with exceptional grip in wet and dry conditions.
Proxes T1 Sport SUV - precise handling and stability at speed for executive vehicles.
Proxes CF2 SUV - created for compact SUVs and smaller crossovers.
Proxes R52A - provides exceptional grip on wet roads.
Proxes R37 - a smooth and efficient tyre that offers dependable load carrying.
Proxes T1-S - an impressive sport tyre with superb traction in dry and wet conditions.
Proxes ST III - an all-season SUV and truck tyre that provides strong road grip and a fun driving experience.
Open Country U/T - designed for urban and highway use.
Open Country A/T III - a highly-durable off-road all-season tyre.
Open Country A/T Plus - delivers aggressive off-road traction with quiet road use; a great all-rounder.
Open Country A20C - a smooth, quiet tyre.
Open Country M/T - can handle the most extreme off-road terrains.
Toyo Tyres for Vans
Celsius Cargo - an all-weather commercial tyre providing improved snow and ice traction.
NanoEnergy Van - an economical and reliable summer tyre.
Observe Van - a hard-wearing winter tyre delivering unrivalled mobility, even in snow.
Best Toyo Car Tyre
Proxes TR1
The Toyo Proxes TR1 is a high-performance summer tyre that packs a punch. It delivers outstanding performance across the board, including exceptional grip and handling, which means it is also good value for money. It features a wide and slant groove to facilitate water drainage, a high stiffness rib for cornering stability, and a circum sipe for extra grip. The TR1’s performance in wet conditions is particularly impressive.
On Tyre Seeker, drivers awarded the Proxes TR1 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 92 reviews. Its scores for value (94%), buy again (94%), dry grip (97%) and comfort (92%) were all outstanding.
Best Toyo Van Tyre
NanoEnergy Van
The NanoEnergy Van is a great summer tyre, especially if you want more miles for your money. It was designed with efficiency in mind, resulting in lower overall fuel consumption, and it handles wet conditions well thanks to the use of a new compound. The tyre’s double zig-zag rib ensures it is especially hard-wearing. It also creates minimal road noise so that you can drive in peace.
On Blackcircles.com, the NanoEnergy Van has 4.6 stars out of 5 based on 89 reviews, and drivers on Tyre Seeker agree, giving it a score of 91% for buy again and 89% for value.
Best Toyo 4x4/SUV Tyre
Proxes Sport SUV
The Proxes Sport SUV was designed to deliver outstanding handling and impressive grip regardless of road conditions. It features a new compound that utilises Nano Balance Technology and an advanced tyre construction with an optimised tread grip. The tyre is also considerably quieter than its predecessor, offering a highly enjoyable drive on motorways and stability at speed.
On Tyre Seeker, drivers awarded the Proxes Sport SUV 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 79 reviews. 95% said they would buy the tyre again, with 94% agreeing that it provides good value for money. Other high scores include dry grip (97%), wet grip (94%) and comfort (91%).
Best Toyo All-Season Tyre
Proxes ST III
The Proxes ST III is an impressive tyre;, there’s no doubt about that. Designed for SUVs and trucks, it is simultaneously sport-orientated and safe, stopping up to six feet shorter in wet conditions. It is quiet, smooth and capable no matter the weather, and to top it all off, it comes with a 40,000-mile warranty.
On Tyre Reviews, the Proxes ST III has a rating of 4.1 stars out of 5 based on 13 reviews. It scores particularly well for dry grip (91%), wear (89%) and wet grip (87%).
Best Value Toyo Tyre
NanoEnergy 3
The NanoEnergy 3 was designed with compact and mid-range cars in mind. It is a long-lasting tyre with impressive fuel efficiency, so not only is it affordable to buy, it’ll keep saving you money as you drive. In wet and snowy conditions, the NanoEnergy 3 also holds its own, thanks to wider main grooves that expel water efficiently.
On Tyre Seeker, the NanoEnergy 3 has a rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 based on 101 reviews. It scores 95% in the buy again category, 94% for value and 100% for snow grip and braking.
Are Toyo Tyres Any Good? Full Review
The Toyo Tires brand is associated with quality, durability and innovation, especially in the SUV and 4x4 tyre market. It has been making mid-range tyres for over 70 years, offering drivers balance between value and performance. During this time, it has gained a solid fan base among off-road and motorsport enthusiasts.
While Toyo Tires is a mid-range brand, it is at the more affordable end of this market segment, beating rivals like B F Goodrich and Cooper Tires in price. If you’re looking for durable tyres with off-roading capabilities that are also affordable, Toyo is a great brand to choose.
The most notable downside to Toyo is its limited range for smaller cars; most of its products are created for bigger, more powerful vehicles and SUVs. As such, if you’re looking for regular passenger car tyres, better options are available at a similar price point from competitors.
It isn’t just Toyo’s off-road and SUV tyres that are impressive; it also excels at creating high-performance sports tyres. As previously mentioned, the Proxes Sport 2 won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award in 2023. It was engineered using nanotechnology to manage better the performance of high-torque engines - a clear example of Toyo’s focus on progress through innovation.
The original Proxes Sport was already highly successful, with an impressive user rating on Tyre Seeker, including 92% for buy again, 91% for value, 93% for dry grip and 90% for wet grip.
Another popular tyre is the Proxes CF2, a summer tyre for passenger cars. It has earned 4.6 out of 5 stars on Tyre Seeker based on 251 reviews. 93% of drivers said they would purchase the tyre again, giving it a score of 91% for value, 93% for dry grip and 94% for dry braking.
When you purchase Toyo tyres, you can sign up for a pothole and puncture guarantee, which was created for your peace of mind. It covers any material or manufacturing defects and irreparable damage from regular road use.
Overall, Toyo Tires is a solid mid-range tyre manufacturer that we recommend for 4x4 and SUV owners in particular. It isn’t as well known as some rivals, like Firestone and Cooper Tires, but you shouldn’t let that put you off because its tyres are highly durable and well-designed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Toyo tyres?
The tyres produced by Toyo are notorious for their durability and off-roading capabilities. They deliver impressive traction in harsh terrain and can easily handle wet road conditions. Compared to other mid-range brands, many of Toyo’s tyres offer great value for money.
How long do Toyo tyres last?
Usually, you can expect Toyo tyres to last between 50,000 and 60,000 miles. It’s essential to check your tyres regularly for signs of wear and to ensure they still meet the minimum tread depth of 1.6mm.
Is Toyo a premium brand?
Toyo is a mid-range brand, meaning many of its products are cheaper than the likes of Bridgestone and Continental. However, it does produce some premium tyres for performance and luxury vehicles.
Is Bridgestone or Toyo better?
As is often the case in life, you get what you pay for. Bridgestone is a premium brand that invests heavily in research and development and has a wide range of tyres for different vehicles. Although they are generally more expensive, that is because they also perform exceptionally well. Toyo’s tyres, while still impressive, are typically regarded less highly in the automotive world. That said, its off-roading tyres have a better reputation than those made by Bridgestone.
What Tyre Brands Are Similar To Toyo?
Other mid-range tyre brands include:
Find the right tyres with FixMyCar
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