Ironman iMove Gen2 AS Review: The All-Season Superhero Your Car Deserves?

Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS (All-Season) tire is a budget-friendly option designed for drivers seeking a balance of performance and affordability. Engineered to provide reliable traction in various weather conditions, this tire caters to a wide range of passenger cars, minivans, and crossovers.

Ironman, a subsidiary of Hercules Tire & Rubber Company, has been manufacturing tires since 1964. While not a premium brand, Ironman has established a reputation for delivering value-oriented products that offer decent performance at an attractive price point.

The iMove Gen2 AS is the second generation of Ironman’s all-season touring tire lineup, incorporating improvements over its predecessor. With a focus on year-round versatility, this tire aims to provide a comfortable and capable driving experience, whether you’re tackling dry highways, wet city streets, or light wintry conditions.

Design and Construction

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS tire is an all-season touring tire designed for drivers seeking a balance of year-round traction and a comfortable ride. Its construction features an advanced silica-enhanced tread compound that promotes even wear and enhanced wet traction. The symmetrical tread pattern consists of four wide circumferential grooves and lateral notches that channel water away from the contact patch, improving hydroplaning resistance.

The tire’s internal structure incorporates two steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped nylon for improved strength and durability. Polyester casing plies provide a rigid foundation, while the tire’s optimized sidewall design enhances responsiveness and cornering stability. Ironman has incorporated their Traction Groove Technology, with 3D siping across the tread blocks to maximize biting edges for improved traction on wet or light snow-covered roads.

While classified as an all-season tire, the iMove Gen2 AS features a more aggressive tread design with higher sipe density than a traditional touring tire. This allows it to provide reasonable traction in light winter conditions, though dedicated winter tires are still recommended for harsh snow and ice. The tire’s M+S (Mud and Snow) rating indicates it meets industry standards for traction in those conditions.

Dry Road Performance

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS tire delivers impressive dry road performance, providing confident traction and responsive handling on a variety of surfaces. Its advanced tread compound and asymmetric tread pattern work together to maximize dry grip, allowing for precise cornering and excellent stability at higher speeds.

During spirited driving on dry pavement, the iMove Gen2 AS demonstrates remarkable lateral grip, enabling you to take corners with confidence. The tire’s stiff tread blocks and optimized siping enhance steering responsiveness, ensuring a direct and communicative feel through the wheel.

Furthermore, the tire’s well-damped construction contributes to a comfortable ride quality on dry roads. The advanced tread design effectively disperses road imperfections, minimizing vibrations and harshness, resulting in a smooth and refined driving experience.

Overall, the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS tire excels in dry conditions, offering excellent traction, precise handling, and a comfortable ride, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a high-performance all-season tire.

Wet Road Performance

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS tire delivers reliable wet traction and hydroplaning resistance, thanks to its advanced tread compound and optimized siping design. The tire’s silica-enhanced tread rubber provides excellent grip on slippery surfaces, while the intricate sipe patterns help evacuate water from the tread area, improving hydroplaning resistance.

During wet braking tests, the iMove Gen2 AS demonstrated impressive stopping power, consistently outperforming its predecessors and many competitors in its class. The tire’s solid center rib and sturdy shoulder blocks contribute to its stable and predictable handling characteristics on wet roads, inspiring confidence in challenging conditions.

Even in heavy downpours, the tire’s grooves effectively channel water away from the contact patch, maintaining a firm grip on the road surface. This feature is particularly valuable during sudden rain showers or when driving through deep puddles, ensuring that the driver remains in control.

Overall, the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS tire delivers reliable wet performance, offering drivers peace of mind and enhanced safety when navigating rain-soaked roads. Its balanced combination of wet traction, hydroplaning resistance, and stable braking make it a compelling choice for those seeking a versatile all-season touring tire.

Winter/Snow Performance

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS is an all-season tire designed to provide year-round traction, including decent winter performance. While it’s not a dedicated winter tire, the iMove Gen2 AS offers respectable snow traction and ice braking capabilities for an all-season model.

In light snow conditions, the tire’s directional tread pattern and siped tread blocks help maintain grip and prevent slippage. The specialized tread compound remains pliable in colder temperatures, allowing the tire to conform to the road surface and maximize contact for improved traction.

When it comes to ice traction, the iMove Gen2 AS performs reasonably well for an all-season tire. The siped tread blocks and biting edges help provide some grip on icy surfaces, although dedicated winter tires will outperform it in extreme ice conditions.

Overall, the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS offers capable winter handling for an all-season tire. It can handle light to moderate snow and icy conditions, making it a suitable choice for drivers in milder winter climates or those who don’t experience extended periods of severe winter weather. However, for optimal winter performance and safety, dedicated winter tires are still recommended for harsh winter conditions or areas with heavy snowfall.

Tread Life and Durability

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS Tire boasts an impressive tread life, thanks to its durable construction and advanced rubber compound. With a tread life warranty of up to 70,000 miles, you can expect this tire to provide reliable performance for many miles on the road.

One of the key factors contributing to the tire’s longevity is its optimized tread design. The symmetrical tread pattern features a continuous center rib and stable shoulder blocks, which promote even wear distribution across the tire’s surface. This design helps minimize irregular wear patterns, ensuring that the tire maintains its traction and handling characteristics for a longer period.

Moreover, the iMove Gen2 AS Tire incorporates advanced silica-enhanced rubber compounds, which offer superior resistance to abrasion and heat buildup. This not only enhances the tire’s durability but also contributes to improved fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance.

In addition to its impressive tread life, the iMove Gen2 AS Tire is equipped with robust impact protection features. The tire’s reinforced sidewalls and bead area provide added resistance against potential damage from potholes, curbs, and other road hazards. This added protection helps maintain the tire’s structural integrity, ensuring a safer and more reliable ride.

Overall, the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS Tire delivers exceptional tread life and durability, making it a reliable choice for drivers seeking a long-lasting and dependable all-season tire.

Noise and Comfort Levels

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS tire delivers a remarkably smooth and comfortable ride, even on rougher road surfaces. At highway speeds, road noise inside the cabin is well-controlled, allowing for a quieter driving experience. The tire’s advanced tread design and optimized rubber compound work together to minimize the transmission of vibrations and impact harshness into the vehicle.

When driving over expansion joints or rough patches, the iMove Gen2 AS absorbs road imperfections effectively, resulting in a plush and composed ride quality. This level of comfort is often unexpected from a tire in this price range, making it a standout choice for those seeking a balance of performance and ride refinement.

Even at lower speeds, such as in urban environments or residential areas, the tire maintains its quiet demeanor. Road noise is well-isolated, contributing to a serene cabin atmosphere and reducing fatigue during longer journeys. Whether you’re tackling your daily commute or embarking on a road trip, the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS ensures a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.

Sizing Options and Fitments

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS tire is available in a wide range of sizes to fit most passenger cars, crossovers, and minivans. Sizing options range from 15-inch to 20-inch wheel diameters, with various section widths and aspect ratios to accommodate different vehicle specifications.

Some of the most common fitments for the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS include popular models like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, and Chevrolet Malibu. These tires are also a great option for compact SUVs and crossovers such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, and Chevrolet Equinox.

With its versatile all-season capabilities and extensive size range, the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS can be an excellent choice for drivers seeking a reliable and affordable tire for their daily commute or family hauler. Whether you’re driving a sedan, hatchback, or small SUV, there’s likely a size that will fit your vehicle’s needs.

Value and Pricing

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS Tire offers excellent value for its performance capabilities and longevity. Priced at the lower end of the all-season touring tire segment, it undercuts many competing models from more premium brands by $20 to $40 per tire. This makes the iMove Gen2 AS an attractive option for budget-conscious drivers seeking a well-rounded, capable tire without breaking the bank.

When considering the expected tread life of around 60,000 miles for the iMove Gen2 AS, the cost per mile works out to be highly competitive. Assuming an average price of $80 per tire and a 60,000-mile lifespan, the cost per mile comes out to just over 1.3 cents. This puts the Ironman tire on par with or even slightly better than some of the more expensive touring all-season options from top-tier brands.

Moreover, the iMove Gen2 AS often goes on sale or can be found at a discount through various retailers and online stores, further enhancing its value proposition. With its well-rounded performance, impressive tread life, and budget-friendly pricing, the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS Tire represents an excellent value for drivers seeking a capable all-season touring tire without overspending.

Summary and Recommendations

The Ironman iMove Gen2 AS is a solid all-season touring tire that delivers a well-rounded performance across various driving conditions. While it may not excel in any particular area, it strikes a good balance between dry and wet traction, comfort, and treadwear, making it a sensible choice for daily driving and moderate weather conditions.

In dry conditions, the tire provides reliable grip and responsive handling, instilling confidence in everyday driving scenarios. Its wet traction is also commendable, with adequate water evacuation and hydroplaning resistance, ensuring a secure drive on rain-soaked roads.

However, the iMove Gen2 AS’s winter performance is somewhat limited, and it may struggle to provide optimal traction on ice or in heavy snow. If you live in an area with harsh winters, dedicated winter tires would be a better option for those conditions.

One of the standout features of this tire is its impressive tread life and durability. With its durable construction and long-lasting tread compound, the iMove Gen2 AS promises to deliver a prolonged service life, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run.

Regarding noise and comfort, the tire performs reasonably well, offering a smooth and quiet ride, although it may not be the quietest option on the market.

When compared to other all-season touring tires in its class, the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS holds its own, delivering a balanced performance and value proposition. While it may not outshine premium options in specific areas, it offers a compelling package for budget-conscious drivers seeking a reliable and versatile tire for their daily commute or occasional highway travels.

Overall, the Ironman iMove Gen2 AS is an excellent choice for drivers seeking a capable all-season tire that excels in daily driving conditions and moderate weather scenarios. Its well-rounded performance, durability, and affordability make it a compelling option for those seeking a practical and cost-effective solution for their vehicles.