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Last updated 10/10/2023 - Originally published 10/10/2023
Written by SimpleTire
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When it comes to the worst, most severe winter weather, chances are you’re just going to be out of luck if you try to get from point A to point B with all-season tires. When all-season tires can’t get the job done safely, that’s when you need to switch over to dedicated winter tires. Winter tires have come a long way from the heavy, clunky, noisy “snow grips” of a generation ago (like what was on your dad’s Buick wagon) and, today, they’re designed specifically for winter service, starting with a tread compound that’s designed to stay flexible in subfreezing weather, when lots of other tires would just stiffen up and lose traction. From there, they’re engineered with tread patterns and features that are exclusively for enhanced traction in snow, slush and ice.
Today we’re going to look at the Yokohama iceGUARD G075 vs the Cooper Discoverer True North, two excellent choices in winter tires for smaller sedans, coupes, minivans and crossovers. We’ll take a closer look at the pluses and minuses for each one, how they compare to each other in overall value and performance, and we’ll leave it up to you – armed with that knowledge – to make the final call as to which one will be right for your vehicle.
The iceGUARD G075 from Yokohama builds on the success of the iceGUARD iG51v, which was designed more for pickups and larger SUVs. The iceGUARD G075 has similarities to this previous tire, but along with some significant differences, specifically in its design parameters for smaller, lighter vehicles.
The iceGUARD G075 is part of Yokohama’s BluEarth family of tires, designed for environmental sustainability and minimal carbon impact. The iceGUARD G075’s winter tread pattern features directional grooves and a wide center rib that increases contact with the road. Its high density winter tread compound is designed to increase the stability of the tread blocks, with zigzag grooves that evacuate water and slush from the tire’s contact patch. 3D Triple Sipes and micro diagonal sipes provide hundreds of extra biting edges to chew through snow, ice and slush for decisive traction.
The iceGUARD G075’s tread pitch is randomized and computer tuned to help keep road noise to a minimum. Internally, you’ll find a polyester casing with a full-width steel belt package and a spiral wound nylon overlay that enhances handling and high-speed stability. Heat generation is kept to a minimum and the iceGUARD G075 is also designed for low rolling resistance, helping to cut fuel costs.
Cooper’s Discoverer True North has the highest silica content in its tread formulation of any Cooper winter tire. Silica is designed not only for long wear, but it also helps deliver improved traction on snow or wet pavement. That tread formulation is molded into an asymmetric winter tread with a circumferential center groove, wide lateral notches and wide tread blocks at the outboard shoulder, aiding in winter traction and channeling water behind the tire’s contact patch to resist hydroplaning. Like the iceGUARD G075, the Cooper Discoverer True North has a dense sipe pattern to deliver excellent traction in snow and slush. Cooper’s Snow Groove system actually traps snow in the tread to deliver snow/snow friction (which seems counterintuitive, but it does work effectively). Ride comfort and durability come from a 2-ply polyester casing with a full-width steel belt package and spiral wrapped nylon reinforcement ply.
Two things that we should note right out of the gate: one is that both tires are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rated for severe winter service. The other is that neither the Yokohama iceGUARD G075 nor the Cooper Discoverer True North are pre-drilled for installation of studs in extreme winter weather and ice.
Tests indicate that the Cooper Discoverer True North tends to get a little uncertain with a dusting of lighter snow on the roads, but performs with real confidence in heavier snow, slush, and snow/ice mix. Control is decisive and sharp, braking distances are reasonable, and acceleration grip is good with minimal wheelspin and fishtailing. As for the Yokohama iceGUARD G075, reviewers note that this tire’s rubber compound is absorptive, actually soaking up small amounts of water so that the tread is actually in contact with an icy surface and not “micro-hydroplaning” across it. In addition, the iceGUARD G075’s footprint is fatter and more uniform, for better control and braking on snow or ice.
ADVANTAGE: Tough call really, but we’d have to give this one to the Yokohama iceGUARD G075 for its slight edge on icy surfaces.
As a general rule, winter tires tend to be a little mushy-feeling on dry pavement. Their softer, more flexible rubber formulation can mean slower, less-precise steering response, and more sluggish braking and cornering performance when there’s no snow on the road. Plus, the tread design of winter tires has a lot of heavy lifting to do when there’s ice and snow to deal with but it’s not designed for dry pavement and can end up being a little “busy.”
Indeed, it looks like this is the case with the Yokohama iceGUARD G075. Reviews point out that on dry pavement, the iceGUARD G075 isn’t as crisp and immediate as the Cooper, although braking and cornering performance between the two are comparable. Steering response and road manners with the Cooper Discoverer True North tend to be a bit better than with the Yokohama tire. That’s a narrow distinction, though – both tires perform admirably on icy or snowy surfaces, with control and response that are within the margin of error for comparison. In other words, on anything other than dry pavement the two are a close match with each other.
ADVANTAGE: Slight advantage goes to the Cooper Discoverer True North for steering response, road manners, and cornering performance on dry pavement.
When it comes to longevity for any winter tire, the first thing to bear in mind is that they’re not a do-it-all, leave-it-on-the-car tire like all-season tires. They’re only designed for snow, slush, ice, winter conditions, and freezing weather; that’s their only job. Winter tires are not designed for warmer days, and will wear quickly (and negate the warranty) when that happens. That’s also why most winter tires are not covered by a manufacturer’s mileage warranty for tread wear.
That said, the Yokohama iceGUARD G075’s internal construction is pretty robust and designed for stability and durability. The tread surface of the iceGUARD G075 is actually a double layer thick for noise suppression and lower rolling resistance, and its tread compound is designed with longevity in mind. So, taking all that into account, we’d say its wear properties are a bit better than those of the Cooper tire.
ADVANTAGE: Yokohama iceGUARD G075
The Yokohama iceGUARD G075 and Cooper Discoverer True North are both winter tires that are designed for deep snow and slush, as well as icy conditions. No, neither tire is pre-drilled for studs, but both can perform almost as well on an icy street as studded tires. Note that we said “almost,” though…the truth is that when it’s as slippery as a skating rink and you wish you could just be inside on the couch staying warm, there’s nothing that can perform like a studded tire.
The Yokohama iceGUARD G075 and Cooper Discoverer True North are really quite closely matched with each other in terms of value and performance, making this a rather tough comparison review to put together. Truth is, we’d recommend either tire for winter driving in any kind of conditions other than sheet ice.
Again, this comes down to a tough call since the two tires are so close to each other in performance. Both are equally well-suited for severe winter conditions and, like all winter tires, neither one should be driven when temperatures are above 45 degrees F since the softer winter rubber compound will break down and wear prematurely.
Both tires perform well on dry pavement too, with decent handling, road manners, ride quality and noise level. Neither tire comes with a manufacturer’s mileage warranty for treadwear (and in all fairness, most winter tires don’t have treadwear coverage). All that being said, if it comes down to price then the Cooper is a bit less expensive, which could be a deciding factor. Either way, we’re confident you’re going to get a winter tire that’s going to surpass your expectations for performance in snow, ice and slush – the kind of weather where a real winter tire is the only thing for it. If you want the better performer, though, then the iceGUARD G075 is the tire for you.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.
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