Toyota Mr2 Tires

Introduced in 1984, the Toyota MR2 was an economical mid-engine sports car that used fairly conventional tech in a sporty package and had the distinction of being the first mid-engine sports car from Japan. The MR2 was a popular model, with three generations that lasted into 2007. Interestingly, the MR2’s origins date way back to 1976 when it was envisioned as a fun-to-drive economy car. That vision got a lot more sporty on its way to production, thanks in part to a partnership with Lotus to develop its steering and suspension. The second-generation MR2 was more refined and powerful, while the final generation (debuting in 2000) was available with a Spider/Cabrio body style. The final iteration of the MR2 had considerable weight savings for stronger performance with its 138 hp 1.8L all-aluminum 4-cyl engine. Interestingly, 3rd-gen MR2s were available with an SMT semi-automated manual transmission that was controlled by steering wheel paddles – an early example of such a transmission.

Using SimpleScore, here are the best Toyota MR2 tires on the market today.

1. Toyo Eclipse A/S - Best All-Season tire

Let’s get this list started with the Toyo Eclipse A/S, a great value in an all-season tire. We give the Toyo Eclipse A/S a SimpleScore of 8.4 for traction, with its specialized all-season tread pattern and wide, open circumferential and lateral grooves that boost wet-weather performance by evacuating water from the tire’s contact patch to resist hydroplaning. Handling comes in at a solid SimpleScore of 8.6, thanks to the Eclipse A/S’s reinforced shoulder design and solid center rib that improves steering response and stability. The Eclipse A/S falls off a bit in longevity with a SimpleScore of 7.6. It’s also worth noting that the Eclipse A/S uses Toyo’s Silent Wall technology that reduces pipe noise and cancels certain frequencies to keep road noise to a minimum.

2. Kumho Ecsta PA31 - Best UHP All-Season tire

Next up is our pick for a UHP tire with all-season versatility, the Kumho Ecsta PA31. The Ecsta PA31 blends year-round grip with sharp performance; it gets a SimpleScore of 8.6 for traction, with its combination of circumferential grooves, circumferential grooves, lateral grooves, and high sipe density, all molded into a mildly directional tread pattern. Kumho’s proven ESCOT design manages tension and weight distribution in the tire’s internal structure, boosting the shoulder and tread’s rigidity for sharp cornering and steering response. SimpleScore for handling: 8.6. Kumho backs the Ecsta PA31 with a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, for a SimpleScore of 8.4 for longevity.

3. Nitto NT05 - Best Performance tire

Here’s a tire that’s equally capable on the street or the track – the Nitto NT05. The NT05 sticks to the pavement like glue, for a SimpleScore of 8.6 for traction. It’s designed for constant contact with the road with a fat center rib and large outer tread blocks, with circumferential and angled grooves for great wet or dry weather performance. The NT05 also features a specialized tread formulation and reinforced tread blocks that boost cornering ability and a very solid handling score of 9.0. The Nitto NT05 does fall somewhat when it comes to longevity (SimpleScore of 7.2), which isn’t surprising considering this is a street/track competition-grade tire with a soft, sticky tread formulation and no treadwear coverage.

While these are the best Toyota MR2 tires on the market, there are plenty of other options to consider:

4. Hankook Ventus V2 Concept2 (H457) - Great All-Season tire

Our pick for Great All-Season Tire, the Hankook Ventus V2 Concept2 (H457), is a great fit for the Toyota MR2, offering UHP levels of performance along with year-round traction and great treadwear. The Ventus V2 Concept2 (H457) gets a very strong SimpleScore of 8.8 for traction, with its innovative all-season tread that’s designed with sweeping V-shaped grooves, circumferential grooves, wide shoulder block notches, sipes, and 3D tread blocks. Longevity comes in with a SimpleScore of 8.1 – the Hankook Ventus V2 Concept2 (H457) is backed by a 45,000 mile warranty. Cornering ability and steering response all get a boost from this tire’s high-hardness bead filler and reinforced internal structure as well as the grippy silica-rich tread compound for a handling score of 8.7.

5. Yokohama Advan Neova AD09 - Great UHP tire

We’re going to wrap this little compilation up with the Yokohama Advan Neova AD09, a top-notch UHP tire. Yokohama leveraged their motorsports experience with this tire, starting with its sticky performance-oriented tread formulation (like all UHP tires, the Advan Neova AD09 will stiffen and lose traction on colder days and should not be used if temperatures are below 40-45 degrees F). It’s designed for sharp, confident cornering and steering response, with a rigid internal construction and high-turnup sidewall for a SimpleScore of 8.4 for handling. A combination of slightly zigzag circumferential grooves, lateral grooves, and large outboard tread blocks deliver great wet or dry grip for a SimpleScore of 7.3 for traction. The Advan Neova AD09 does lose some points on longevity, with a SimpleScore of 7.3 – not surprising since this is a purpose-built UHP tire with no warranty coverage and a softer tread formulation.

Order Toyota MR2 Tires Online

Buying tires online can be a stressful process, but it really doesn't need to be. SimpleTire offers a simple approach to finding the tires that are best for you and your Toyota MR2. Select your Toyota MR2 below, then tell us a few more things such as year and trim level to determine your tire size. From there, we'll show you tires that fit your vehicle and are the best match based on performance characteristics, but you can also look for the best value tires, tires that are on sale or part of a promo, have the longest tread life, and much more

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