Toyo Celsius Review: A Cross Between a Touring Tire and Snow Tire

The Toyo Celsius is not what you call a proper winter tire. In fact, Toyo calls it a variable-conditions tire. We all know snow tires are only good for winter driving. The Toyo Celsius begs to differ. It is properly classified as an all-season touring tire. However, it also happens to be qualified for severe snow conditions. 

Confused? Don’t be. The Toyo Celsius is a hybrid tire. It’s that simple. It combines the all-weather attributes of an all-season tire with the winter attributes of a snow tire. It is engineered to cope with varying weather conditions. But unlike a snow tire, there are no compromises. The Toyo Celsius is more refined and is quieter than an expensive set of winter rubber. But it never stops working when the roads turn from snow to dry tarmac. 

And unlike other snow tires, the Toyo Celsius is specifically designed to offer a longer wear life. It is also optimized to improve braking in all types of roads. As a matter of fact, Toyo claims the Celsius can stop up to 14 feet shorter on snow and eight feet shorter on ice compared to other all-season tires. 

Is the Toyo Celsius a valid replacement for snow tires?

Yes. Believe it or not, the Toyo Celsius performs magnificently over snow and ice. But that’s not surprising at all, right? What really impressed me with the Toyo Celsius is how it performs when the sun is up. It also performs like a dream on wet or slushy roads.

What are the features of the Toyo Celsius?

There is no mistaking the rugged design of the Toyo Celsius. This tire is loaded with features. Readily noticeable is the variable sipe density. The inside tread contains a higher sipe density to offer better traction in ice or snow. The outer tread has a lower sipe density to offer advanced grip on wet and snowy roads.

But the main feature of the Toyo Celsius is the built-in snow claws found on the outer circumferential grooves. This feature not only enhances traction in deep snow or mud, but it stabilizes the block rigidity. This helps to improve grip over any type of pavement.

The Toyo Celsius also comes with slush grooves and multi-wave sipes. This design improves braking, minimizes irregular wear, and prevents hydroplaning. And while the Toyo Celsius is not designed for high-performance applications, no other tire offers this type of versatility. 

What’s the compromise?

It will have to be the road noise at moderate or higher speed. Look, winter tires are not designed to be quiet. With all those sipes or biting edges on the face of the tread, snow tires are not expected to be refined. But the Toyo Celsius manages to be quieter than a comparable snow tire, but the tire roar is still there if you speed up. 

Of course, this will depend on the NVH tuning in your ride. It’s not as quiet as a touring tire, but it doesn’t scream as loud as a snow tire, either. 

How does it perform in wet and dry roads?

One of the best attributes of the Toyo Celsius is handling. This remains true whether driving on dry tarmac, deep snow, or wet highways. Braking remains strong on all types of surfaces while steering feel is further enhanced courtesy of the cleverly-designed slush grooves.

But I did find this tire to perform better in the wet than on dry pavement. Sporty drivers and fast cars need not apply. This is not the type of tire for sporty or aggressive driving unless you’ll be doing most of the driving in challenging weather conditions. Remember this tire is a variable-conditions touring tire, so don’t expect superior grip over tight and winding corners. 

Is it comfortable and refined?

Comfortable? Yes. But refined? Not quite. Touring tires are supposed to be quiet and comfortable. Toyo decided the Celsius should be comfortable instead of being the quietest, and this is perfectly fine for a special kind of tire. But don’t expect pillow-like comfort if you have a luxury car. While the Toyo Celsius is marginally comfortable, it can’t outperform a proper touring tire in terms of road comfort.

How about tire wear?

Snow tires are notorious for faster wear. However, the Toyo Celsius wants to change that. But in my experience, the wear characteristics will vary wildly depending on your driving habits and prevailing weather conditions. Fast driving on dry tarmac will promote faster wear. Normal city driving in stop-and-go traffic and icy roads will do the exact opposite.

One this is for sure. The Toyo Celsius is engineered to last longer while still remaining capable. In fact, Toyo is offering the Celsius with a 60,000-mile warranty.

You can see more Toyo Celsius Review here: By 
Toyo Tires Canada

Should I buy the Toyo Celsius?

Overall, yes. But it depends on where you live. Remember this tire is a cross between a touring and snow tire. If you live in places with varying weather conditions with harsher winters, the Toyo Celsius is a magnificent choice. It beats other snow tires in many departments and will still perform admirably on dry pavement.

But the biggest consideration is the price. The Toyo Celsius is in the middle of the price range at $110 to $140 each. This is great value considering the benefits of this tire. You don’t need to purchase a separate set of snow tires when the snow falls heavily, and you can still drive like a champ on dry and wet pavement. 

And since the Toyo Celsius is equipped with multi-wave siping and snow claws, it can even handle a bit of off-road driving. If you have a Subaru Crosstrek or Outback and you live in Detroit, Michigan or the colder parts of Canada like Manitoba, Winnipeg, or Toronto, the Toyo Celsius is one of the best choices out there.