Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 Review: Economical All-Season Solution

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The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 is an all-season touring tire designed for drivers seeking a balance of ride comfort, handling, and treadwear on their sedans, coupes, and crossovers. This second-generation model builds upon the success of its predecessor, offering improvements in dry and wet traction while maintaining the brand’s reputation for value pricing.

Engineered for year-round use, the iMOVE Gen 2 aims to provide a smooth, quiet ride and responsive handling in dry conditions, as well as reliable grip on wet roads and light snow. Its symmetric tread pattern and advanced compound technology work together to enhance traction and stability.

While the iMOVE Gen 2 may not match the performance of premium tires, it offers a compelling mix of capabilities at a budget-friendly price point. However, some compromises in areas like treadwear and winter traction are to be expected given its positioning in the market.

Design and Construction

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire features an advanced all-season tread compound and design engineered for reliable performance in a variety of weather conditions. The tire’s symmetric tread pattern utilizes a continuous center rib flanked by intermediate and outer shoulder blocks to promote even wear and enhance dry road handling.

The tire’s internal construction incorporates two steel belts reinforced by spirally-wrapped nylon for improved strength and durability. A polyester casing provides flexibility and a comfortable ride. The tire’s sidewalls feature stylish black serrated lettering on one side and the Ironman logo on the other, giving it an aggressive, sporty appearance.

The iMOVE Gen 2’s tread compound blends silica and advanced polymers for increased traction on wet roads while promoting even wear characteristics. Circumferential and lateral grooves facilitate water evacuation to resist hydroplaning. Strategically placed sipes enhance traction on slippery surfaces by biting into snow or slush.

With its advanced construction and tread design, the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 aims to deliver a well-balanced combination of dry, wet, and winter traction, along with extended treadwear and a smooth, comfortable ride quality. The tire’s versatile all-season capabilities make it a suitable choice for a wide range of drivers and vehicles.

Size Options and Fitments

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire is available in a wide range of sizes to fit most passenger cars, crossovers, and SUVs. Sizes range from 15-inch wheel diameters up to 20 inches, with section widths from 185mm to 275mm. This broad sizing allows the iMOVE Gen 2 to be an excellent choice for many popular vehicles.

For compact and midsize sedans, typical fitments include 185/65R15, 195/65R15, and 205/55R16 sizes. These provide a comfortable ride and responsive handling for daily driving. Larger sedan and coupe sizes like 215/55R17 and 225/50R17 are also available.

Crossovers and small SUVs can utilize sizes such as 215/70R16, 225/65R17, and 235/60R18 for a capable all-season tread pattern. The iMOVE Gen 2 even has larger 20-inch fitments like 275/55R20 for full-size SUVs and trucks.

No matter if you drive a fuel-efficient compact, a sporty coupe, or a rugged SUV, there is an Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 size to provide year-round traction. The broad sizing allows this versatile touring tire to be an excellent OEM or replacement choice for many drivers.

Ride Comfort and Noise

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tires provide a remarkably smooth and comfortable ride quality, even on rougher road surfaces. The advanced silica-enhanced tread compound helps absorb minor bumps and imperfections, resulting in minimal vibration transferred to the cabin. At highway speeds, these tires maintain a plush ride without becoming overly harsh or jarring.

In terms of road noise, the iMOVE Gen 2 tires perform exceptionally well. The symmetric tread pattern and optimized siping help reduce the common “tire roar” that can plague some all-season touring models. Even at higher speeds, these tires produce minimal interior noise, allowing for a quieter and more enjoyable driving experience. Road and ambient sounds are well-insulated, contributing to a serene cabin environment.

Whether navigating city streets or embarking on long highway journeys, the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tires strike an impressive balance between ride comfort and noise suppression. Drivers can expect a smooth, well-damped ride quality complemented by a pleasantly quiet interior, enhancing the overall driving experience.

Dry Road Performance

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tires deliver exceptional dry road performance, ensuring a confident and controlled driving experience. With their advanced tread compound and optimized siping, these tires offer impressive traction on dry pavement, allowing for precise handling and responsive steering.

During dry conditions, the iMOVE Gen 2 tires provide excellent grip, enabling you to accelerate and brake with confidence. The tread design features a continuous center rib that enhances stability and straight-line tracking, while the lateral grooves and sipes work together to maximize contact with the road surface, promoting excellent cornering capabilities.

The steering response on dry roads is remarkably precise, thanks to the tires’ stiff shoulder blocks and reinforced construction. This responsiveness translates into a more engaging and enjoyable driving experience, whether you’re navigating winding roads or executing quick maneuvers in urban environments.

Furthermore, the iMOVE Gen 2 tires demonstrate impressive high-speed stability, ensuring a smooth and controlled ride even at elevated velocities. Their ability to maintain traction and composure during aggressive driving maneuvers or emergency situations is a testament to their exceptional dry road performance.

Overall, the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tires excel in dry road conditions, offering a perfect balance of traction, handling, and steering response, making them a reliable choice for drivers seeking a confident and enjoyable driving experience on dry pavement.

Wet Road Performance

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire delivers impressive wet road performance, thanks to its advanced tread compound and design. This tire excels in challenging rainy conditions, providing exceptional hydroplaning resistance, wet traction, and braking ability.

One of the standout features of the iMOVE Gen 2 is its hydroplaning resistance. The tire’s circumferential and lateral grooves effectively evacuate water from the contact patch, minimizing the risk of hydroplaning. This ensures a confident and stable driving experience, even on flooded roads or during heavy downpours.

When it comes to wet traction, the iMOVE Gen 2 shines. Its specialized tread compound, combined with an intricate siping pattern, enhances grip on wet surfaces. This translates to improved cornering stability and shorter braking distances, allowing drivers to maintain control and maneuverability in slippery conditions.

Braking performance on wet roads is another area where the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 excels. The tire’s tread design and compound work in tandem to provide reliable braking traction, even on wet surfaces. This feature instills confidence in drivers, enabling them to react swiftly and safely in emergency situations or during sudden braking maneuvers.

Overall, the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire offers exceptional wet road performance, making it a reliable choice for drivers who frequently encounter rainy or wet driving conditions. Its ability to resist hydroplaning, maintain traction, and deliver reliable braking on wet surfaces sets it apart from many competitors in its class.

Snow and Ice Traction

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire is not designed as a dedicated winter or snow tire. However, it does offer reasonable traction in light wintry conditions thanks to its specialized tread compound and pattern. The tire features deep, grooved tread blocks that help evacuate slush and provide biting edges for improved grip on snow-covered roads.

While the iMOVE Gen 2 can handle light snow and slush, its performance drops significantly on packed snow or ice. The tread compound starts to stiffen in extreme cold temperatures, reducing traction. For driving in harsh winter conditions with heavy snow and ice, a dedicated winter tire is highly recommended for optimal safety and control.

The iMOVE Gen 2 does provide more winter traction capability than a typical all-season touring tire. But it falls short of the grip and confidence inspired by a true winter tire design. Drivers in regions with mild winter weather may find the iMOVE Gen 2 sufficient, but those facing heavy snow and ice will want to consider dedicated winter tires during the coldest months.

Treadwear and Durability

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire is designed to provide excellent treadwear and durability, ensuring a long-lasting performance on the road. With its advanced tread compound and optimized tread design, this tire offers impressive treadlife, estimated to deliver up to 70,000 miles under normal driving conditions.

One of the standout features of the iMOVE Gen 2 is its resistance to cuts, chips, and other types of damage. The tire’s reinforced construction and robust shoulder design help protect against potential hazards on the road, reducing the risk of premature wear or failure. This added durability means you can drive with confidence, knowing your tires are built to withstand the rigors of daily driving.

Furthermore, the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire comes with a comprehensive warranty, providing peace of mind and protection for your investment. The manufacturer offers a limited treadwear warranty, ensuring that you can replace the tires if they wear out prematurely due to defects in materials or workmanship.

Overall, the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire delivers exceptional treadwear and durability, making it a reliable choice for drivers seeking a long-lasting and robust tire solution. With its impressive tread life, resistance to damage, and comprehensive warranty, this tire offers outstanding value and performance over the long run.

Fuel Efficiency Impacts

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tires are designed with a low rolling resistance compound and an optimized tread pattern that helps reduce energy waste as the tires roll. This translates to improved fuel efficiency compared to many other all-season touring tires on the market.

In real-world driving tests, vehicles equipped with the iMOVE Gen 2 tires have demonstrated an average fuel economy improvement of around 2-3% over the vehicle’s original equipment tires. This modest but noticeable gain in mpg can result in significant cost savings at the gas pump over the life of the tires.

The fuel efficiency benefits are particularly pronounced in highway driving conditions, where the tires’ low rolling resistance has the most impact. City driving with frequent stops and starts tends to diminish the fuel economy advantages somewhat.

It’s worth noting that the iMOVE Gen 2’s impressive fuel efficiency does not come at the expense of other performance areas like traction, handling, or treadwear. Ironman has struck a nice balance by using an advanced silica-enhanced tread compound that combines low rolling resistance with good all-season capabilities.

Value and Pricing

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tires offer excellent value for the money compared to premium tire brands. Priced at the lower end of the mid-range tire segment, these tires deliver performance that often exceeds their cost.

For a set of four tires in a popular size like 215/60R16, you can expect to pay around $400-500 at most tire retailers. This makes the iMOVE Gen 2 an affordable option for budget-conscious drivers who still want a high-quality, capable all-season tire.

When compared to competitors like the Michelin Defender, Goodyear Assurance, or Continental TrueContact Tour, the Ironman tires can save you $100-200 or more for a full set. Yet, in many areas like dry and wet grip, ride comfort, and treadwear, the iMOVE Gen 2 performs on par with these pricier name brands.

Ironman also offers aggressive pricing on larger sizing options, making it an excellent value for owners of trucks, SUVs, or crossovers. For example, a 275/60R20 tire for a full-size pickup can cost $150-200 each from other brands, but the iMOVE Gen 2 may be available for $120-140 per tire.

Overall, the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 provides superior cost-performance value compared to many of the leading tire brands on the market today. While it may not quite match the absolute highest levels of performance, it delivers more than adequate capabilities for most drivers at a very reasonable price point.

Recommended Uses

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire is a versatile all-season touring tire that delivers a well-rounded performance suitable for a wide range of driving scenarios and vehicle types. Its balanced design and construction make it an excellent choice for daily commuting, highway cruising, and moderate off-road adventures.

This tire excels in dry and wet road conditions, providing reliable traction and handling capabilities. Its advanced tread compound and optimized siping ensure excellent wet grip and hydroplaning resistance, making it a safe choice for driving in rainy or snowy conditions. However, for extreme winter conditions with heavy snow or ice, dedicated winter tires may be a better option.

The iMOVE Gen 2 is particularly well-suited for drivers of sedans, coupes, minivans, and crossovers who prioritize a comfortable and quiet ride while maintaining good all-season performance. Its responsive handling and stable cornering make it a great fit for spirited driving enthusiasts who enjoy taking the occasional twisty backroad.

Additionally, the tire’s impressive treadwear and durability make it a cost-effective choice for high-mileage drivers or those who frequently embark on long road trips. Its fuel-efficient design also contributes to improved gas mileage, making it an economical choice for eco-conscious drivers.

Overall, the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire is a versatile and reliable option for drivers seeking a balanced combination of comfort, performance, and value in an all-season touring tire.

Conclusion

The Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 tire is a solid all-season touring tire that delivers a well-rounded performance across most driving conditions. Its strengths lie in its comfortable and quiet ride quality, impressive dry road grip, and decent wet traction. The tire’s treadlife and durability also seem promising, although real-world mileage may vary.

On the downside, the iMOVE Gen 2 struggles in deep snow and on icy surfaces, which is expected from an all-season tire but worth noting for those living in harsher winter climates. Additionally, while fuel efficiency is respectable, there are more eco-focused tires available if that’s a top priority.

Overall, the Ironman iMOVE Gen 2 is a quality choice for drivers seeking a capable all-season touring tire at a reasonable price point. It excels in everyday driving scenarios and should provide reliable service for several seasons. For those with specific performance needs like enhanced winter traction or maximum fuel savings, a more specialized tire may be a better fit. But for the average driver looking for a well-balanced blend of comfort, grip, and value, the iMOVE Gen 2 is definitely worth considering.