Nokian WRG2 vs Michilin Energ Saver

I was running Michelin MXV4+ Energy tires in the stock size. They worked well, and fuel mileage was as good or better than the Goodyear Integrity OEM tires. Last winter my Michelin tires were getting a little slick, so it was time for new tires.

This year I am running Nokian WRG2 tires. I didn't notice any mileage hit, but my data is very limited. I will say that the Nokian WRG2s feel like better winter tires.

Tom

 

Pat,

I am on my 4th set of tires (2004 Prius at 165k miles):

• GY Integrity - Terrible tires
  • very soft sidewalls causing tracking instability and scrubbing of the edges in turns
  • Poor traction in wet/snow/ice especially after some wear.
  • Good MPG in summer - takes a hit in cold weather MPG due to tread compound hardening
  • Used for 44.5k miles then too much hydroplaning for safe driving
• Michelin MXV4+ "Energy Saver" (not the current model) - a much better tire
  • Good highway tracking
  • Much better traction in all conditions
  • About the same MPG in warm weather, but the use of some silicates in the rubber reduces the MPG hit in cold weather (about 2% better MPG overall)
  • Used for 45k miles but winter was coming so put on new tires a little earlier than required
• Nokian WR - A great tire with more silicates in the rubber compound
  • Same good handling as the Michelin
  • Even better than the Michelin for wet/snow/ice traction - The equal of snow tires in snow
  • Better MPG in all conditions than the Michelin or Integrity - about 5% better than the Integrity
  • They were a little noisy on some highway surfaces due to their aggressive tread design
  • Used for 48k miles - basically used up
• Nokian WRg2 - Basically the same tire as the WR, but a somewhat less aggressive tread design
  • Good handling
  • Still great traction, but a little weaker in snow than the WR
  • About the same MPG as the WR
  • A reasonably quiet tire

I would expect that the new Michelin energy tires will be about the same in MPG as the Nokians, but no personal experience. You will be happy with the Nokian WRg2s. My spreadsheet data on my 5+ years of experience is attached.

JeffD

 

What size Nokians are you talking about -- the OEM 185/65R15 size?

Where did you find Nokian WRG2 for $115 installed?

(I'm more used to seeing it for around $150 NOT installed.)

 

That's cheap. I paid about $150 each installed.

Tom

 

NOKIANS,,NOKIANS, NOKIANS

I can yell loud enough. WRg2 is a great tire, 30,000 miles, no noticeable tread wear, no fuel mileage hit, and do they go in the snow! Why would you buy anything else!!!!

I just bought a set for my Subaru and it is a tank! Had a set on on a Westalia Syncro, and it would plow snow, and I couldn't get it to slide!

 

I paid about the same as the OP 8 months ago (Import prices do fluctuate with the value of the dollar) so it can be done. It was also at a small local garage (this one in West Haven, CT) and I was also surprised that they beat the on-line price by a noticeable amount.

JeffD

 

I've got two (and about 5k miles) on the back of my 05. I tend to run... um, fairly high pressure . I don't see much difference between them and the Ecopia's that are on the front... however, I think it's made a difference in mileage. Hard to say, as I put them on when I got the car, and was just learning the ins and outs of the Prius. However, it seemed to help the FE that my wife was getting. Being in NC, it doesn't get overly cold or snowy... but they seem fine in the rain.