Nokian WRG2

Was quite surprised how good these tyres are. Quiet, comfortable with good response. very good on snow.

Well, I've reviewed these already but just wanted to update. I had these on my twin turbo legacy estate car last winter during all the snow and in fact they're still on now. I've probably covered about 20,000 miles altogether including my previous excursions to italy through the alps. They are probably at or just below the 4mm tread line now, but leaving them on all summer hasn't helped that given my spirited driving style. Had I taken them off in april I would have got another winter out of them (totalling 4). They are still suitable for use but not in snow.

Grip in summer is not quite as good as I'm used to (Goodyear Eagle F1s, vredestein ultrac sassentas), but still very acceptable considering it's a winter tyre first and foremost.

Winter performance last winter was exceptional as expected. Of course the AWD on the legacy helps, but these tyres are just so good. I went up to haytor in 12" of snow and thick fog (which later cleard) and had no issues whatsoever.

I also ventured into a sloping field with some friends, a towrope and a snowboard and proceeded to tow them around in 5-6" of snow. Some were concerned that the car would get stuck in the field, but no, it didn't even spin the wheels.


Stopping in snow/ice is also great, although I did notice a slight degradation in this area since last year due to the lower tread, but from new and once worn-in these are brilliant at stopping and starting even on sheet ice. Seriously they are that good!

Bought a pair in Oct 2010 these as I commute over the pennines from Manchester to Nottingham everyday. Having been stuck up there for several hours in the winter the year before! In fear, I carried extra water in the boot (which froze), a spade and a sack of rock salt + a few home from home essentials. Well come 2010 I wasn;t going to let that happen again.

When the snow came (upto 15cm deep) I found I was ploughing the roads for 4x4s cowaring behind me! I was even happy to drive through the snow at night. Its not a special car even a by hobbit's imagination. There's no traction control or any of that new fancy stability control shinnanigans either. A 12 year old veccy.

I did experience oversteer on the rear summer tyres, so I bought another pair of Nokian and sorted that out, eventually I was finding it difficult to loose control even when purposely trying to.
If you've been over taken up on the pennines, it was probably me! So "spirited" driving doesn't quite cut it. Therefore, a stellar job Nokian - would I recommend them? Well I've already got a new pair for the fronts for the coming winter - the rears? well even with 20,000 miles on them (yes, 20k miles) have more than enough life in them yet at least 6-7mm.

tire wore out quickly

great witer tire, treadwear is simply too hi for a tire in this price range

For the positively balmy south of England these tyres were perfect for winter. They provided confidence in fresh and frozen snow and good braking performance in ice. I was happily able to drive about on roads that heavy delivery lorries were slipping all over.

Equally, they have been great in frosty mornings, dry roads and warm (only tested up to 10°C).

They are very quiet but quite firm, giving a more crashy ride. The edge of grip in warm dry conditions isn't going to win you any races, but it's clear and safe to discover.

I will be putting them into storage until next winter now though.

Summary: An all-round capable tyre, perfect for (southern at least) English winters

It has very good grip on dry and wet roads. The performance on snow is good but it has a tendency to loose grip when cornering on snow or slush. The noise level is very acceptable.

on my second set of nokians. first was the older wr's, which were noisier on the highway - but the wr g2's are fantastic in light / deep snow, on ice, and a fabulous rain tire. and very quiet on the highway. living in london ontario canada - in canadian snowbelt. if you get stuck with these tires on, you should not have been on the road to start with. got almost 100,000km's out of the wr's, and getting close to that with the g2's. if you rotate (front to rear) regularly, you should have no complaints about longevity. these are the only tires i will put on my vehicles. my kids are now using them too.

Bought as a winter tyre and have been impressed, good grip on wet and compacted snow/ice. A little noisier that the Conti Cross Contacts but worth it. Too soon to comment on wear. Good value at ~£150 a corner but really difficult to find. Deefinately recommended.