Toyo Extensa HP 2 review
With a plethora of all season tires on the market, tire manufacturers work “tirelessly” to come up with products that will meet up with the trend and in some cases, surpass expectations. Toyo engineers have successfully delivered a seasoned tire called the Extensa HP 2. Aching to find out what the Extensa HP offers? Let’s first discover what it is.
The Toyo Extensa HP 2 is a performance driven all season tire designed to excel in handling while delivering exceptional comfort to the driver. With its superb styling, the Toyo Extensa HP 2 balances high quality with high performance delivery. Drawing inspiration from its predecessor, the Toyo Extensa HP, the Extensa HP 2 out-performs its predecessor by possessing a 31 feet shorter braking distance when compared with the Extensa HP.
What vehicles can the Toyo Extensa HP 2 be attached to? It is designed to suit sport coupes, sedans and minivans and this covers a wide range of cars. So, drivers get to have a taste of the satisfying delivery of the Toyo Extensa HP 2. This Toyo Extensa HP 2 review will explore the many qualities that come with the tire.
Recommended
Toyo Extensa HP 2
The highly-capable Toyo Extensa HP2 tire makes an optimal choice for drivers of coupes and sedans that enjoy a bit of sporty driving coupled with complete noise isolation and a quiet ride on the grand touring level.
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Toyo Extensa HP 2 key technologies/features
In order for a tire to perform excellently, leading technologies/features are integrated in its design. The Toyo Extensa HP 2 boasts some fascinating and efficient technologies/features that contribute to its outstanding performance. Pointing out on some of these we have its:
Single-Cut And Double-Cut Tapers: The Toyo Extensa HP 2 thrives above its predecessor by possessing single-cut and double-cut tapers. The technology optimizes block stiffness to improve braking. With this technology in place, the Toyo Extensa HP 2 stops up to 31 feet shorter in wet conditions than its predecessor.
Full Depth Multi-Wave Sipes: The Toyo Extensa HP 2 features a uniquely interlocked sipe design that promotes even wear thereby increasing the tread life and promoting a quiet ride. Also, the sipes have full depth and this improves edge grip giving the tire impressive all season traction. The sipe arrangement also assists in delivering excellent braking performance and handling.
Special Silica Compound: In a bid to combat wet conditions, the Toyo Extensa HP 2 is equipped with a special silica compound that provides great performance on wet road conditions. The silica compound works in unity with the tire’s unidirectional tread design to offer a blend of all season traction in a stylish package.
Toyo Extensa HP 2 safety features
The Toyo Extensa HP 2 offers high performance as well as safety features that ensure that tire and driver are protected when on the road. The single-cut and double-cut tapers are designed to reduce braking distance by improving block stiffness. With the single-cut and double-cut tapers in place, the risk of crashing and bumping into other vehicles is minimized. Also, the special silica compound reduces the risk of hydroplaning by ensuring the tires have a firm grip on the road in wet conditions.
In addition, the full depth multi-wave sipes improves light snow traction by improving the tires grip with the road surface hence limiting sliding.
Toyo Extensa HP 2 speed ratings
With different tires come their different speed ratings. A tire’s speed rating points out the ideal speed the tire can safely cruise at. Some drivers tend to abuse their tires by exceeding its speed rating and this never ends well for both the tire and the driver. The speed rating of a tire can be found on its sidewall.
The Toyo Extensa HP 2 has W and V rated tires. On the speed rating chart, tire speed ratings are denoted by alphabets each with varying speeds. The W and V-rated tires of the Toyo Extensa HP 2 can comfortably cruise at 168 and 149 mph respectively. These speeds are among the highest on the chart and are enough to satiate the cravings of a speed loving driver.
Toyo Extensa HP 2 treadwear and durability
Why else are drivers particulate about their tire choices if not for its treadwear and how long they can be used before they are completely unusable. We cant deny that a tire’s treadwear plays an integral part in its performance and Toyo knows this hence they designed the Extensa HP 2 with Full Depth Multi-Wave Sipes. The sipes sport a uniquely interlocked design that minimize irregular wear in the tires. Also, the special silica compound aids even wear by gluing the tire to the road surface.
The Toyo Extensa HP 2 has a UTQG (uniform tire quality grading) rating of 500. The UTQG rating ranges from 100 to 1000 meaning that the Toyo Extensa HP 2 will wear more than 2 times slower than a tire with a 200 UTQG rating. The Toyo Extensa HP 2 has an average UTQG rating.
In addition, the Toyo Extensa HP 2 comes with a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty. So, they offer a lengthy period of high performance delivery.
Toyo Extensa HP 2 maintenance indicators
The purpose of maintenance indicators is to notify drivers when a tire requires replacement and in some cases repair. Some tires come with company installed maintenance indicators. However, the Toyo Extensa HP 2 does not seem to have a maintenance indicator. It uses the industry-standard TWI (Tread Wear Indicator) as a maintenance indicator.
The TWI points out that a tire needs to be replaced when the tread depth wears down to the final 2/32 inches. At this point, the tires have lost traction efficiency, especially in wet conditions. Using the tires during this period can cause deadly crashes due to hrdroplaning. It is important to have the tires changed once the tread depth becomes flush with the road.
Toyo Extensa HP 2 traction performance
How a tire performs on different road and weather conditions is dependent on its traction level. In selecting a suitable tire for a vehicle with traction performance in mind, drivers need to consider the weather and road condition of the area the drive through. The Toyo Extensa HP 2 is an all season tire with excellent traction in different roads and weather conditions. Here’s how it performs in wet, dry and snow/wintry conditions.
Wet traction
The Toyo Extensa HP 2 is sufficiently equipped to perform excellently in wet conditions. Its unidirectional tread design and special silica compound work to deliver impressive wet traction. With this technologies in place, the Toyo Extensa HP 2 has a high wet braking capacity with 31 feet advantage over its predecessor.
Dry traction
The single-cut and double-cut tapers on the Toyo Extensa HP 2 optimizes block stiffness and thus improves the tire’s braking. The technology alongside the uniderectional tread design deliver improved handling and cornering in dry conditions.
Snow traction
Toyo designed the Extensa HP 2 with full depth multi-wave sipes that deliver an extra edge to the shoulder blocks for plying light snow roads. It is not a winter tire but would perform impressively in winter. However, do not try using it in deep snow or it will freeze.
Toyo Extensa HP 2 noise and comfort
The Toyo Extensa HP 2 impresses in terms of comfort. Its optimized tread design and structure absorbs excess noise that emanate from the tire’s action with the road. Also, the full depth multi-wave sipes subdue vibrations felt when driving giving the driver all the comfort it can muster.
Toyo Extensa HP 2 competitors and alternatives
Undeniably, the Toyo Extensa HP 2 delivers impressive performance in terms of comfort, traction and treadwear. However, there are a few competitors that offers as much as it does in terms of comfort, traction performance and treadwear. Alternatives to the Toyo Extensa HP 2 include; the Falken Ziex ZE960 and the Hankook Ventus V2.
The Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S offers Flask Siping technology that provides enhanced hydroplaning resistance and wet weather grip throughout the life of the tire and the Hankook Ventus V2 offers exceptional sporty performance and all season flair.
Cars compatible with the Toyo Extensa HP 2
A variety of cars are privileged to be compatible with the Toyo Extensa HP 2. Note that this is not a comprehensive list of the cars that are compatible with this tire. They include; Acura TL
Audi A4, BMW 335i, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang GT, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Veloster, Infiniti G37, Kia Soul, Lexus IS250, Mazda Miata, Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Nissan Maxima,Pontiac GTO, Subaru Impreza WRX, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Golf, etc.
Toyo Extensa HP 2 price range
For all it has to offer, the Toyo Extensa sells for as low as $76 to $252 depending on the tire size drivers opt for. The price makes it preferable over some alternatives that sell for a much higher rate.
Toyo Extensa HP 2 warranty
In addition to the 45,000 mile limited trreadwear mileage warranty, the Toyo Extensa HP 2 comes with other warranties to include;
Workmanship and Material Limited Warranty: Toyo Tires warrants all eligible tires against defects in workmanship and materials. Upon examination of an eligible tire, if Toyo Tires determines that the tire(s) is not serviceable due to a condition covered by this Workmanship and Materials Limited Warranty, it will be replaced with a comparable new Toyo brand tire.
Our take
We think the Toyo Extensa HP 2 is a great option for drivers looking for the perfect balance between high quality, outstanding performance, and dynamic styling for a low price. It offers as much as its alternatives for way less.
