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Yokohama W Drive View Gallery (1)
175-235/50-65 R14-18 4 sizes 2007 Winter rated

Yokohama W Drive

The Yokohama W Drive is a High Performance Winter tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

6.9
Tyre Reviews Score Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews
Medium Confidence View Breakdown
Dry Grip
77%
Wet Grip
71%
Road Feedback
81%
Handling
71%
Wear
78%
Comfort
77%
Buy again
66%
Snow Grip
55%
Ice Grip
60%
14 Reviews
71% Average
215,000 miles driven
5 Tests (avg: 13th)
Yokohama W Drive

Yokohama W Drive

Winter Mid-Range
BETA
6.9 / 10
Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews · Medium Confidence · Updated 23 Feb 2026

The Tyre Reviews Score is the most comprehensive tyre scoring system available. It aggregates professional test data from multiple independent publications, user reviews, and consistency analysis using Bayesian statistical methods, weighted normalisation, and recency-adjusted scoring to produce a single, reliable performance rating.

Learn more about our methodology
Dry
93.7
1.13x / 2 tests
Wet
71.6
1.93x / 3 tests
Comfort
70
0.32x / 1 test
Value
44.9
0.42x / 2 tests
Snow
40
1.5x / 3 tests

Cross-category scores are derived metrics that combine data from multiple test disciplines to evaluate real-world performance characteristics.

Braking
70.4
3 tests
Handling
66.7
3 tests
Traction
40
1 test
Score Components
Professional Tests
Weight: 80%
Tests: 5
Publications: 3
Period: 2010 - 2018
User Reviews
Weight: 15%
Reviews: 14
Avg Rating: 70.6%
Min Required: 5
Consistency
Weight: 5%
Score Std Dev: 0.92
History Points: 10
Methodology & Configuration
Scoring Process
  1. Collect Test Data: Gather results from professional tyre tests across multiple publications. Minimum 1 test(s) required.
  2. Normalize Positions: Convert test positions to percentile scores using exponential weighting (factor: 1.2).
  3. Apply Recency Weighting: More recent tests are weighted higher with a decay rate of 0.95.
  4. Incorporate User Reviews: Factor in user review data (minimum 5 reviews). Weight: 15%.
  5. Bayesian Smoothing: Apply Bayesian prior (score: 7, weight: 1.5) to prevent extreme scores with limited data.
  6. Calculate Final Score: Combine all components using normalization factor of 1.1. Max score with limited data: 9.5.
Component Weights
Test Data
80%
User Reviews
15%
Consistency
5%
All Configuration Parameters
ParameterValueDescription
safety_weight 0.7 Weight multiplier for safety-related metrics
performance_weight 0.55 Weight multiplier for performance metrics
comfort_weight 0.4 Weight multiplier for comfort metrics
value_weight 0.45 Weight multiplier for value-for-money metrics
user_reviews_weight 0.15 How much user reviews contribute to the final score
test_data_weight 0.8 How much professional test data contributes to the final score
consistency_weight 0.05 How much score consistency contributes to the final score
recency_decay_rate 0.95 Rate at which older test results lose influence (higher = slower decay)
min_test_count 1 Minimum number of professional tests required
min_review_count 5 Minimum number of user reviews required
score_version 1.9 Current version of the scoring algorithm
score_normalization_factor 1.1 Factor used to normalize raw scores to the 0-10 scale
confidence_factor_weight 0.2 How much data confidence affects the final score
position_penalty_weight 0.2 Penalty applied for poor test positions
gap_penalty_threshold 12 Score gap (%) that triggers additional penalties
min_metrics_count 2 Minimum number of test metrics needed per test
limited_data_threshold 2 Number of tests below which data is considered limited
single_test_penalty 0.75 Score multiplier when only one test is available
critical_metric_penalty 0.7 Penalty for poor performance on critical safety metrics
critical_metric_threshold 70 Score below which a critical metric penalty applies
position_exponential_factor 1.2 Exponent used to amplify position-based scoring
position_exponential_threshold 0.9 Position percentile below which exponential scoring applies
gap_multiplier_critical 3 Multiplier for critical gap penalties
max_category_weight 2 Maximum weight any single category can have
max_score_limited_data 9.5 Score cap when data is limited
bayesian_prior_weight 1.5 Weight of the Bayesian prior in smoothing
bayesian_prior_score 7 Prior score used for Bayesian smoothing
evidence_test_multiplier 1.9 Multiplier for test evidence in confidence calculation
evidence_metric_divisor 3 Divisor for metric count in evidence calculation
evidence_review_divisor 10 Divisor for review count in evidence calculation
combined_penalty_floor 0.2
Data Sources
TestPublicationDateSizePositionMetrics
2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test Auto Zeitung 2018 235/60 R18 8/9 11 metrics
2013 Winter Tyre Overview - Braking Auto Bild 2013 195/65 R15 21/50 0 metrics
2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test Auto Bild 2012 205/55 R16 16/43 0 metrics
2010 European Winter Tyre Test Part 2 ADAC 2010 185/65 r15 11/12 0 metrics
2010 European Winter Tyre Test ADAC 2010 225/45 r17 10/10 0 metrics
5
Tests
13th
Average
8th
Best
21st
Worst
Latest Tyre Test Results
2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test
235/60 R18 • 2018
8th/9
Reasonable in the dry, but very poor snow performance.
21st/50

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Size Fuel Wet Noise
14 inch
195/65R14 89 T E C 72
14C inch
175/65R14C 90/88 T E B 72
16 inch
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18 inch
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View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Yokohama W Drive >>

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Top 3 Yokohama W Drive Reviews

Given 61% while driving a Suzuki Swift (175/65 R15) on a combination of roads for 20,000 spirited miles
The most non-efficient tyres that i bought
August 14, 2024
Given 43% while driving a Alfa Romeo 1.9 JTD M (215/55 R16) on mostly motorways for 20,000 average miles
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 tyres, when I lost control driving 30 mph on the curver motorway exit - rear end started to overtake. I was driving a while, so tyres were warm, outside was cold and rainy, but since then I drove many more tyres, 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.
October 31, 2025
Given 31% while driving a BMW 535d msport touring (245/40 R18) on mostly country roads for 8,000 spirited miles
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 tyres I have ever had.
December 6, 2014

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Latest Yokohama W Drive Reviews

Given 76% while driving a BMW 5 Series 2007 (245/40 R18) on mostly country roads for 8,000 average miles
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 tyre 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 tyres 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 tyres 245 40 18 run flats.
December 28, 2014
Given 94% while driving a Audi A5 3.0 tdi quattro sport (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 60,000 spirited miles
Can't praise these tyres 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.
September 15, 2014
Given 73% while driving a Audi TT S (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 3,500 average miles
I swapped to these winter tyres 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 tyre, only issue is greasy dirty roads but then again no tyre 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.
January 14, 2014
Given 41% while driving a BMW 335d (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 500 average miles
I fitted these tyres, sold to me as "premium" to a 2006 BMW 335d Touring. Expecting slight compromises over my usual Summer tyres, I drove fairly cautiously, especially as Winter tyres need a lot of "scrubbing in." What I got was a set of tyres, 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 tyres 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 tyres on. I'm an IAM and Police trained driver and have owned the car five years so know it very well.
December 14, 2013
Given 94% while driving a Mazda 6 2.0 D (205/55 R16 T) on track for 34,000 easy going miles
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.
November 11, 2012
Given 95% while driving a Kia Motors Sportage (235/65 R16 H) on a combination of roads for 6,000 average miles
Not pushed these tyres 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.
May 26, 2012
Given 90% while driving a Volkswagen Passat 2.0TDI (205/55 R16 V) on mostly motorways for 15,000 spirited miles
Excellent all-round tyre for winter. It's not a genuine hardcore winter tyre 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.
May 19, 2011
Given 94% while driving a Mitsubishi New Lacer (215/45 R18 V) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Very impressed by these tyres, 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.
April 1, 2011
Given 90% while driving a Rover 220sdi (165/70 R14 T) on a combination of roads for 12,000 spirited miles
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.
February 2, 2011
Given 93% while driving a Daewoo Leganza (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Superb handling on dry roads in winter. Very good behavior even on warmer weather. On highway, at high speeds (above 150km/h), the car seems to be equipped with premium summer tyres. There is almost no difference between these winter tyres and summer tyres. They also do a fantastic job on ice and snow. Very quiet at any speed, great stability and breaking performance. Definitely will buy again
September 9, 2010
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