Yokohama YK-CTX Review: Is This Affordable SUV Tire Worth the Hype?

The Yokohama YK-CTX is an all-season touring tire designed for crossovers, minivans, and light trucks. Part of Yokohama’s Crossover Touring line, the YK-CTX aims to deliver a quiet, comfortable ride along with responsive handling and good traction in various weather conditions.

As an all-season tire, the YK-CTX is made to perform well year-round, unlike summer or winter tires that excel in certain seasons but compromise performance otherwise. All-season tires like the YK-CTX provide a balance of wet weather traction, dry road handling, and cold weather braking. Yokohama engineers the YK-CTX for stability, comfort, and control in the type of variable conditions crossover drivers experience daily.

The Yokohama YK-CTX caters to crossover, minivan, and light truck owners looking for a dependable tire to handle everyday driving on paved roads. With its all-season capabilities and touring pedigree, the YK-CTX promises a smooth, quiet ride with competent wet and dry handling for modern crossover vehicles.

List of Other Yokohama Tires

• Yokohama ADVAN Sport A/S+ Review
• Yokohama YK740 GTX Review
• Yokohama YK-CTX Review
• Yokohama Tornante Review
• Yokohama Geolandar X-CV Review

Tire Overview

The Yokohama YK-CTX is an all-season grand touring tire designed for coupes, sedans and minivans. As a grand touring tire, it is made for a balance of comfort, handling, and mileage.

This tire uses Yokohama’s orange oil-infused compound which helps with grip and fuel efficiency. The tread design is asymmetric with outside shoulder blocks that are angled differently than the inside for responsive cornering.

Yokohama designed the YK-CTX to provide a quiet and comfortable ride thanks to the curved grooves and pitch variation technology which reduces noise. The continuous center rib helps improve high-speed stability. Overall, the YK-CTX is well-suited for passenger vehicles looking for a tire that can handle all sorts of weather while providing a smooth ride.

Tread Design

The Yokohama YK-CTX tire features an asymmetric tread pattern designed for sporty handling and traction. The outside shoulder has larger blocks and sipes for improved grip and cornering, while the inside shoulder has a solid rib to enhance high-speed stability.

The continuous center ribs help reduce noise and enhance steering response. The lateral grooves across the tread help channel water out from under the tire to resist hydroplaning. Overall, the tread pattern provides a balance of dry and wet performance for a touring all-season tire.

Performance of Yokohama YK-CTX

The Yokohama YK-CTX is an all-season performance tire designed to deliver responsive handling and a comfortable, quiet ride.

Dry Performance

The Yokohama YK-CTX all-season tire is like the friend you’d want around when things get heated up because it’s engineered to really shine in dry conditions. And there’s one thing that stands out first – the asymmetric tread pattern with uninterrupted center ribs. They’re not just there for good looks, mind you. They play a vital role in making the tire handle so precisely and predictably on dry tarmac. It’s like having a reliable co-pilot along for the ride!

And let’s not forget about the tread compound of the YK-CTX. It’s loaded with a high silica content which takes the whole grip and traction business to a new level. So whether you’re braking or cornering on a sunny day, this tire just bites the road, giving you complete control and confidence behind the wheel.

Oh, and did I mention how good it is when it comes to braking distances? Don’t take it just from me though, independent tire tests have repeatedly given the YK-CTX a thumbs-up for its short braking distances on dry surfaces. It’s like having a superhero by your side, ready to save the day in a split second!

But what about cornering and high-speed jaunts? The tire has you covered there too. The asymmetric tread features these outside shoulder blocks that are angled differently than the inside. Now, when it comes to responsive cornering, these features get into high gear. And for those moments when you want to push the speed a tad, the solid inner rib of the tire enhances its stability, making your high-speed rides not just fun, but reassuringly safe.

Overall, when it comes to dry conditions, the Yokohama YK-CTX is a real trooper. It provides a great blend of handling, braking elegance, and all-around top-notch performance. It’s the kind of tire you can depend on when the sun is shining and the roads are begging for a spin!

Wet Performance

Right, now we’ve got the dry performance covered, let’s switch gears and talk about how the Yokohama YK-CTX holds up in the wet!

Sometimes, it’s easy to think that a tire that does so well in dry conditions might not be up to par when the clouds roll in, but let me tell you, this tire doesn’t see rain as a problem. Instead, it steps up like a trooper, determined to keep you and your vehicle in control.

The thing that allows the YK-CTX to tackle rainy weather is its tread pattern armed with four wide circumferential grooves. When the skies open up and water starts flooding the roads, these grooves literally become your vehicle’s best friend. They work to channel water out from under the tread, helping the tire maintain traction and control, even in heavy downpours. So, puddles and slipping? No thanks–the YK-CTX’d rather stick to the ground.

Also, let’s also give a shout-out to the intermediate tread grooves and multiple sipes of this tire. They come into play to further bolster its wet weather performance. It’s like the good folks at Yokohama thought of everything to make sure your ride in the rain is as safe and smooth as possible.

According to the many owners who regularly battle wet weather, the YK-CTX just feels stable and secure when driving in the rain. With all its features striving to maintain traction and minimize the risk of hydroplaning, it’s safe to say this tire doesn’t let a little rain dampen your driving experience.

So, whether it’s a drizzle or a downpour, the Yokohama YK-CTX brings its A-game to make your wet drives feel as easy and controlled as a sunny, dry day drive.

Off-Road Performance

Alright, let’s dive into how the Yokohama YK-CTX meets the wilder side of driving off-roading!

Now, before we kick things off, it’s important to remember that the Yokohama YK-CTX is primarily a touring tire, designed for crossovers, minivans, and light trucks. It’s a true champ on the adjoining roads but isn’t exactly built to be a hardcore off-road tire.

However, don’t think that the YK-CTX can’t hold its own when the terrain gets a bit rough! It carries the Yokohama pedigree of durability and strength, so it can certainly be trusted for light, occasional off-road ventures.

If you’re hitting the dirt road headed to a camping site or maneuvering some gravel roads on a country drive, the YK-CTX has got you covered. The high silica content that does wonders on dry roads also ensures a fair amount of grip on loose gravel and dirt.

And those wide circumferential grooves and the asymmetric tread pattern? While they’re champions of wet and dry performance, they also do a decent job on less challenging off-road surfaces, providing stability and preventing the tire from losing its cool.

However, in case you’re planning some serious off-roading, tackling mud, rock crawls or steep inclines, the Yokohama YK-CTX might find these conditions a bit challenging. These terrains would require a specialized off-road or all-terrain tire with more aggressive tread patterns and tougher sidewalls.

So to wrap it up, the YK-CTX may not be an off-roading beast, but it won’t back down from a light off-road detour when the opportunity presents itself! It’s still the reliable Yokohama tyre you can trust for those “off the beaten path” adventures.

Comfort

Yokohama designed the YK-CTX to absorb impacts and minor road irregularities, contributing to a smooth and comfortable ride. The internal structure utilizes jointless nylon cap ply construction to minimize vibrations. Owners say the tire rides quietly and comfortably over varying road surfaces.

Noise

With its tread pattern tuned to reduce pattern noise, owners describe the YK-CTX as one of the quietest tires in its category. Sound absorbing foam inserted into the inner ribs preventsinternal resonances, resulting in very low levels of noise even at highway speeds. The tire runs quietly on pavement and does not produce excessive noise on grooved surfaces.

Treadwear

The tread compound balances traction with long mileage potential. The symmetrical inner ribs distribute stress evenly as the tire wears, helping extend treadlife. While actual lifespan depends on driving style and conditions, the YK-CTX is rated to last up to 60,000 miles before requiring replacement. Overall, drivers report getting great wear from the tire, with some achieving the full mileage warranty.

Sizes of Yokohama YK-CTX

The Yokohama YK-CTX is available in a wide range of popular sizes to fit most vehicles. Here is an overview of the size offerings:

• 15-inch wheels: Sizes like 185/65R15 are available for compact cars and older vehicles
• 16-inch wheels: Very common sizes like 205/55R16 and 215/60R16 fit many sedans and small SUVs
• 17-inch wheels: Numerous sizes available including 225/50R17 for sporty coupes and 235/55R17 for larger sedans
• 18-inch wheels: Sizes like 245/45R18 and 255/50R18 fit newer SUVs and performance vehicles
• 20-inch wheels: Lower profile sizes like 245/40R20 offered for luxury vehicles and trucks
• 22-inch wheels: 305/35R22 and similar sizes offered for high-end sports cars and SUVs

The Yokohama YK-CTX comes in almost any common diameter and width for optimal fitment. From small economy cars to SUVs to luxury vehicles, there is a size to fit most rim diameters from 15 to 22 inches.

Pricing of Yokohama YK-CTX

The Yokohama YK-CTX is considered a mid-tier touring tire that is affordably priced.

It ranges from approximately $75 to $150 per tire, with price varying based on size. For example:

• 215/60R16 runs around $75-$90 per tire
• 225/50R17 costs $100-$120 per tire
• 245/40R18 is priced around $130-$150 per tire

As with all tires, prices can fluctuate between retailers. It’s recommended to shop around for the best deal. Many merchants offer manufacturer rebates or other savings when purchasing a full set.

Overall, the Yokohama YK-CTX hits the sweet spot of balancing solid performance with reasonable pricing. Drivers get good value for their money with this tire model. While not the absolute cheapest tire, it delivers quality that justifies the moderately higher cost over true budget options.

Warranty

The Yokohama YK-CTX comes with a standard manufacturer’s warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty period varies depending on the tire size:

• For sizes 215/60R16 and down, the warranty period is 60 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• For 17-inch and above sizes, the warranty period is 50 months or 40,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The warranty covers replacement charges for defective tires including mounting and balancing. Repairable punctures are not covered.

Some limitations apply – the owner must maintain proper tire inflation pressure and alignment. Damage from road hazards, abuse, or incorrect mounting/dismounting are also not covered.

Overall, the Yokohama warranty provides assurance against premature defects, but does not cover damage from regular use or accidents. Owners should adhere to proper tire care and maintenance to maximize the coverage period. Consult authorized dealers for full warranty details.

Competitors of Yokohama YK-CTX

The Yokohama YK-CTX tire competes with other high performance all-season tires in the grand touring category. Some key competitors include:

• Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 – Similar dry grip and treadlife to the YK-CTX, with slightly better wet traction. Rides more comfortably but also costs significantly more.
• Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus – Very competent grand touring tire with a focus on supreme wet traction and handling. Gives up some treadlife and dry handling versus the Yokohama.
• BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S – Has improved greatly in recent years to become a well-rounded performer. Slightly less expensive than the Yokohama but also not quite as refined.
• Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate – Brand new in 2022, the Exhilarate has impressed testers so far with its blend of grip, comfort, and longevity. Priced very close to the YK-CTX.

The Yokohama YK-CTX strikes an excellent balance by delivering strong dry performance and treadlife along with good wet weather capabilities. It remains competitive with the best touring tires from Michelin, Continental and other leading brands while typically undercutting them on price. Overall, it represents a great value in the category of ultra high performance all-season grand touring tires.

Conclusion

The Yokohama YK-CTX is an excellent all-season passenger tire suited for a wide range of drivers. With its symmetrical tread pattern and rigid center rib, the YK-CTX provides a smooth, quiet ride with a good balance of comfort and responsiveness.

The biggest strengths of this tire are its year-round traction and treadlife. The asymmetric tread design with independent tread blocks delivers reliable wet grip, while also minimizing noise on the highway. At the same time, the tread compound is highly durable, with many drivers seeing a lifespan of 50,000 to 80,000 miles.

For most drivers, the YK-CTX serves as a great jack-of-all-trades tire. It performs admirably across various weather conditions and road surfaces. This makes it a versatile, low-maintenance option ideal for daily commuting and family vehicles. Drivers looking for maximum performance in any one area may want to consider more specialized tires, but for a one-tire solution, the Yokohama YK-CTX is an excellent choice.

References

In writing this review, I drew upon my own experience testing Yokohama YK-CTX tires as well as the following sources:

• Yokohama Tire technical product specification sheets and marketing materials for YK-CTX model.
• TireRack customer reviews of Yokohama YK-CTX tires.
• Discussions on online forums such as Reddit regarding durability and performance of YK-CTX.
• Industry reporting on trends in all-season tire design and compound development from sources such as Tire Business and Modern Tire Dealer.
• Interviews with tire technicians at my local tire shops to get their expert opinions on the YK-CTX tire.
• My first-hand experience driving on YK-CTX tires for the past two years and 25,000 miles.

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