Which is better for OEM CX60 tyres: Bridgestones or Toyos?

[depofly]

Tyres: Toyo against Bridgestone Tested on a diesel i6 engine on UK roads with precise specifications.

Mazda actively publicised their cooperation with Bridgestone as the selected supplier for the CX60. Toyo's started being installed in automobiles from December 2022 and are becoming prevalent in new CX60 models.

I have used Toyo Sport Proxes tyres on many of my past vehicles, all of which were not SUVs, including road and track cars. The tyres are of high quality, providing superb grip and performance at a consistently low price. Primarily a cost-effective tyre, however without compromising on performance.

Mazda chose not to equip the CX60 with Reinforced XL SUV tyres. I speculate that the suspension was already sufficiently rigid, and more reinforcement could have been excessive. They chose the Bridgestone Alenza Summer Tyre and then the Toyo Sport Proxes Summer Tyre, both with a 100 weight loading and W speed rating, but All Season and SUV XL options are also available.

Both tyre firms are of Japanese origin and ownership. I found the comfort and noise levels of Bridgestone tyres on the CX60 and other automobiles I've used them on to be unimpressive. The tyres are 'hard' and road noise was consistently among the loudest. I was aware that Toyo tyres were softer and would provide a more pleasant ride, but I wondered about the potential drawbacks.

After using the Bridgestone and Toyo tyres consecutively for a couple of weeks and experiencing rainy weather this week, I was able to do a thorough comparison. It ultimately comes down to a series of trade-offs, so you must choose what matters most to you.

The Toyos are undeniably more comfortable. When I initially drove on them, I almost suspected that the dampers on my prior vehicle were malfunctioning. I can now see why new owners with Toyo tyres are not immediately put off by the poor small bump compliance of the CX60's suspension architecture. The soft tyre reduces some of the impact from road cracks and potholes, improving comfort but not reaching a premium level. The Bridgestone tyres are too rigid for the car, causing poor absorption of small bumps and transmitting shocks to the driver. To address this issue, they need to be inflated to approximately 38-39psi, although this may amplify the transfer of road imperfections. This indicates that they are not compatible with the CX60. The Toyos perform optimally at 36 psi, which is the minimum pressure recommended by Mazda.

The Toyo tyres, known for their softness and flexible sidewalls, are more prone to squirming compared to the Bridgestone tyres, especially when used on heavy SUVs. Some may find this appealing. When taking turns at high speed, you will feel the car shifting on the tyres and moving about on the concrete as it seeks to distribute the weight of the vehicle effectively. I like using this feature on the track because it allows me to modify the car's behaviour and provides feedback. However, I found it less favourable on the CX60 due to its size. Nevertheless, this does not pose a safety issue; it just enhances one's attentiveness to driving and the car's performance. The Bridgestone tyres have an edge because to their strong construction and consistent performance, however they may not provide as much driver input as other tyres.

The Toyo had longer stopping distances compared to the Bridgestone, especially in rainy conditions. Similarly to the last comparison, there was more tyre movement with the Bridgestone compared to the Toyo. Despite the Toyo tyre having more resistance, it was not as effective in slowing down the automobile as the Bridgestone, which seemed quite unusual. The weight of the automobile is matched with a car-specific tyre, and the BS tyres perform better owing to their much tougher design.

The Toyo's performance improved as the road conditions worsened. When encountering a pothole or crack at high speed, the Toyo tyres maintain the vehicle's stability and prevent it from becoming unsteady or jittery. In contrast, the Bridgestone tyres cause the car to bounce, become unsettled, and may be difficult to control at times. Constant driver adjustments are required to reduce the frenetic behaviour of the Bridgestone tyres, which is less pronounced with the Toyo tyres. The Bridgestone tyres make the vehicle seem rigid and transmit vibrations to the driver, causing discomfort and fatigue after more than 30 minutes. The Toyos excel in this aspect.

The road noise is reduced while driving on dry surfaces with the Toyo tyres, but remains same when driving on wet surfaces. Both individuals lack proficiency in this task, which is seen by the inadequate insulation in the CX60.

The tyre selection somewhat alleviates some of the issues caused by the inadequate use of passive dampers on the CX60, but it does not fully address the underlying design flaw. However, there are certain drawbacks to consider.

with those seeking comfort and want to avoid driving their vehicle aggressively, consider choosing Toyo tyres and maybe request your dealer to swap the Bridgestone tyres with a pair of Toyo tyres. Your body and brain will appreciate it, but be prepared to unleash your inner Hamilton when you begin pushing yourself.

Individuals seeking the most reliable and secure tyre, prioritising performance above comfort, may choose Bridgestone. The Toyo tyre is excellent overall, but its soft sidewalls are not ideal for a huge SUV seeking a stable and effortless ride. In contrast, the BS tyres may prompt thoughts about the cost of a local therapeutic massage. Toyo has introduced a Proxes Sport SUV XL tyre, which might help alleviate some of the drawbacks associated with the basic PXSPT.

The ride of the Toyo tyres made the vehicle seem less luxurious, however I strive to be unbiased since I appreciate the Toyo brand and do not exhibit brand snobbery. I haven't fully comprehended the reason behind this, but I will continue to contemplate it. Their appearance is not as appealing as the BS. The side wall has a prominent bulge with large text that evokes the nostalgia of past Formula 1 races in Monaco. I suspect that the Toyo may be too active due to the rigid damper, leading to a sensation of worse quality in the ride. A tyre is intended to operate in conjunction with the suspension system, not to compensate for its deficiencies.

Choosing the BS tyres will result in lower comfort levels compared to the Toyo tyres, leading to increased driver fatigue over time, especially on rough surfaces. I believe that the vehicle will develop more rattles and creaks over time on bumpy surfaces, since I have experienced moments when the dashboard seemed like it would break while striking a pothole at high speed on the roads of South London. The Toyo tyres do not exhibit this issue - while it is noticeable, they do not fail catastrophically like a grenade detonating.

The elderly test did not provide any significant complaints regarding the ride on the Toyo's, whereas the BS's received feedback such as "I feel like I'm on a roller coaster, I feel sick, I'm never going in that again."

Should I switch to Toyo tyres? If there were no other alternatives to fix the ride, then most likely. Despite several drawbacks, the comfort they provide is crucial to me, especially given the poor performance of the CX60 tyres; they are quite effective. If I retrieve my vehicle, I plan to prioritise installing new dampers above getting new tyres, since I believe this is a more comprehensive approach. Stay tuned for updates. I may pair the Koni Special Actives dampers with the Toyos for a luxurious and comfortable ride.

Unfortunately, there are few tyre alternatives available for the CX60 that are not SUV-specific XL in the UK. All-weather tyres with a softer compound are all XL reinforced, which might potentially reduce comfort levels without any significant improvement, resulting in a high expense with little benefit. Hankook has a Ventus EVO tyre with a regular 100W rating that you may want to consider. The tyres are soft, but they provide exceptional comfort, little noise, and excellent grip. There may be advantages associated with this.

I believe that Mazda is attempting to improve its inadequate suspension by using Toyo tyres, which is why we are seeing more Toyo tyres on new CX60 models. Fewer complaints lead to less motivation to address the problem in first-generation automobiles, resulting in cost savings and maybe reducing the frequent expert reports of the poor ride quality. Perhaps it's just a matter of economics, since the Toyos are far less expensive. Based on my personal experience, Mazda in the UK shows no interest in feedback from owners and often dismisses reported faults by claiming they have not encountered them previously.

If you haven't bought a vehicle yet, I recommend test driving autos with both sets of tyres to compare and decide which one suits you best.

Tested on a 6-cylinder diesel engine. Having used a PHEV with BS tyres on both older and newer shock absorbers, the tyre behaves similarly. However, the Toyo tyre could be more affected by the added weight of the PHEV, therefore tyre pressures may need to be adjusted accordingly.

[Notef]

I applaud you for your very comprehensive assessment!

I am certain that this will be very beneficial and engaging for readers.

Thank you

[Seconsu]

I will wait for Michelin CC2 tyres in 20-inch size and get them. I like its performance on my prior vehicles and believe it will not be inferior in terms of comfort compared to other options. Thank you for the Toyo vs Bridgestone assessment.

[depofly]

uses a pair of Michelin tyres on 18-inch wheels for his Homura, but he is not completely satisfied with the ride comfort over minor bumps. These are XL reinforced tyres, which may reduce their usual comfort level when used on other vehicles.

[Seconsu]

Unable to determine which credit card he has. I had a CC2 that is not XL, unlike the CC SUV which is. CC2 should have a gentler feel while maintaining low rolling resistance.

[depofly]

Indeed, I understand. Numerous variations!

[Meltarb]

Seconsu  If you are able to switch to CC2, please consider providing a review or comparison to the BS's. The Michelin CrossClimate SUV 265/45 R20 Y (108) tyres, with a directional tread pattern and M+S stamp, were an excellent match for my prior GLE vehicle.

[Seconsu]

There are no CC2 or CC SUV models with CX60 20" wheels available.

[depofly]

The Pirelli Scorpion All Season tyres with Noise Cancellation that I first favoured are available in the CX60 size, which is essentially designed for F-Pace/Range Rover specifications. Someone in another group said that they installed them over the Bridgestones and noticed a significant improvement in comfort and reduction in road noise. Despite having an XL tyre.

I believe that is the one I will ultimately choose.

[Wordcar]

Thank you for the valuable and informative tyre review, I appreciate it.
Having driven two CX5's, one equipped with Bridgestone tyres and the other with Toyo's, I can confirm that there is a noticeable disparity in their performance. When using Bridgestone tyres, I had a sensation of restlessness, particularly when driving in town. Initially, I suspected that the wheels need balance, but this was not the case.

The latest CX5 with Toyo tyres provided a smoother ride, maybe due to suspension adjustments in the 2022 model. I did not have the 2022 model for a sufficient amount of time to make a definitive assessment, but I still believe that the current CX60 provides a smoother ride compared to both CX5 models.

I agree with previous remarks that the expensive Bridgestone tyres look better on the vehicle.

[Angurita]

Just inspected the location in the Netherlands, shouldn't this be the accurate CC2?

https://www.profile.nl/autobanden/michelin/cross-climate-2-suv/235-50-r20-104w-el

[Seconsu]

Indeed! There seems to be a significant disparity in the offerings across various areas. I was unaware of the existence of the CC2 SUV.

[Radiantecon]

Great review, thank you for the work you've invested in it. You may reduce the car's lagging on highways by lowering the tyre pressure while using Bridgestone tyres. You will inevitably miss out on their peculiar "high-pressure approach to seeking comfort." When my car's tyre pressure is set to 36.3 psi, the high-speed trailing is less severe compared to when it is at 39 psi.

[bourhay]

Is the new Toyota only designed for diesel engines or is it also compatible with the freshly delivered PHEV?

[depofly]

They are being distributed simultaneously now. Mazda attributes the issue to supply constraints, however I have doubts because to their significant collaboration with Bridgestone on the CX60. I would not choose a Toyo tyre on a bigger vehicle, although many people are satisfied with them.

[Wordcar]

My first CX5 had Bridgestone tyres, while the second one had Toyo tyres. Upon evaluation, the Toyo exhibited a more cushioned ride and was quieter. The Bridgestone tyre consistently provided better traction in all situations, however it was somewhat firmer and had a rougher ride.
I am pleased with the Bridgestone tyres on my CX60, no issues. Our CX30 originally came with Toyo tyres, which appear to be well-suited for this type.

[Messand]

The Toyo tyres that came with my 2015 CX-5 were original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Acceleration on wet days was challenging due to the slippery conditions.
Substantial improvement seen after switching to Michelin Latitude Sport 3.

[Uneripty]

I acquired my plug-in hybrid electric vehicle yesterday, which was equipped with Toyo tyres. I have driven 200 miles in it and have no concerns about the comfort or handling. It might have the updated suspension setup, but I am uncertain.

[JamesStv]

Diesel was supplied a week ago with Toyo. It performed well for about 60 kilometres. Installed Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV winter tyres on the same day, which are satisfactory. Unable to compare them to Toyo tyres since they were seldom used.

[Kiddokt]

The CX-60 PHEV was delivered to New Zealand in late November. Toyo tyres installed. Have driven 500-600 km without experiencing any noise or discomfort from the tyres or suspension. It has a stronger and sportier setting compared to certain vehicles, but not as hard as my wife's Kia Sportage GT-Line. The traffic noise is quite low, despite the presence of loud roads in New Zealand due to the usage of chip seal on numerous routes.

The tyres are not comparable to the previous ones, but I am a satisfied customer and I believe Mazda has also improved the suspension. The gearbox is much smoother than the one in the car I test drove, which I believe was a mid-year delivery.