Remember what “snow tires” or “snow grips” used to be like a generation ago? Heavy, noisy, clunky tires that would be great on a 1962 Ford truck, but not so great on the family car? That’s no longer the case with winter tires. Today’s winter tires are designed for confident traction in deep snow and slush, but along with handling, ride quality, road manners, and noise levels that rival the best all-season or touring tires.

Designed for CUVs, SUVs, and pickup trucks, the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 SUV is designed as a performance tire that delivers dependable traction and handling in snow, slush, and ice. It’s true – you can get that level of handling, braking, steering response and ride in a winter tire with the BluEarth Winter V906 SUV.

If you follow the tire business much, you probably know that Yokohama has a rightly-earned reputation for quality, innovation, value, and performance across their entire tire line. So what is it about this tire that makes it such a great performer in winter weather? We’re going to dive in for a closer look with this Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 SUV review.

Features and Benefits

Here’s just a little of what the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 has to offer:

• Silica-rich tread compound stays flexible for traction at subfreezing temperatures
• Dense grid of 3D sipes across all tread surfaces for hundreds of extra biting edges to dig into snow and slush
• Tread pitch is computer tuned to keep road noise low
• Directional tread pattern with V-shaped grooves to channel water and slush away from contact patch
• Advanced polymer tread formulation keeps rubber in contact with ice and slush rather than the film of water on top
• Tread profile and contact patch are optimized for better handling and braking performance
• Highly rigid bead package enhances handling and steering response
• Yokohama’s BluEarth package is designed for lower rolling resistance, saving fuel and cutting emissions as well as reduced use of volatile hydrocarbons in manufacturing
• Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for severe winter service

Pros and Cons

PROS:

• Excellent handling, braking, ride quality
• Low noise
• Superior traction
• Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified

CONS:

• Cannot be used when temperatures are consistently above 45 degrees Fahrenheit
• Not backed by a limited manufacturer tread life warranty
• Not pre-drilled for installation of studs

SimpleTire’s view on Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 SUV tires

Nobody really enjoys driving in winter conditions. It can be treacherous on good days and downright dangerous on the worst days, but the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 SUV gives you a fighting chance. The BluEarth Winter V906 SUV’s tread design and sipe pattern can get you through deep snow and slush with confidence, and its ride quality and handling will have you thinking you’re driving a vehicle with performance tires.

As for the Cons listed above, it’s not too surprising – most winter tires aren’t covered by a mileage warranty, and most manufacturers advise against using winter tires if temperatures are consistently above 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit. Studded tires are what you need for ice and snow that’s near-impossible to get through any other way, but we’re confident that the BluEarth Winter V906 SUV will get the job done for you anyway, and studded tires are not even legal in all states (so check your state laws before you use them).

Yokohama’s reputation for value, innovation and quality precedes it, and the BluEarth Winter V906 SUV certainly lives up to those expectations (and then some).

Vehicles the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 SUV is a replacement tire for

Here’s just a few of the light trucks, SUVs and crossovers that would be a great fit for the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 SUV:

• Chevrolet Traverse
• Dodge Durango
• Ford Explorer
• GMC Yukon
• Honda Ridgeline
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Jeep Cherokee
• Nissan Murano
• RAM 1500
• Toyota Highlander
• Volkswagen Touareg