When we opted to test the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 tire on our 2024 Toyota Venza Hybrid, we had no idea that one of the harshest winters in the past decade was about to hit. Winters had been pretty mild in recent years, but that was about to change.
The timing could not have been better. The winter of 2025/2026 brought multiple feet of snow on two occasions, plus repeated snowstorms and ice storms with multiple inches. Worst of all, we had one of the longest cold stretches in the past fifty years here in New England, so what snow did fall stuck around like an uninvited guest.
Thankfully for us, we had removed the poorly-rated OEM tires from our vehicle. Which, by the way, literally fell apart. They began to shed chunks of rubber, including big portions of tread blocks. Unsafe and inappropriate would be our analysis of those tires. We ditched them. In their place, we mounted a set of test tires from Goodyear. The new Assurance WeatherReady2.
You can see our comprehensive first test report here.
View our first update and rain testing here.
The Venza is a fantastic vehicle. Among its many pluses is a unique all-wheel drive system we love. It has no front-to-rear drive shaft. Instead, the rear wheels are powered by their own motor. It worked wonderfully paired with the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 tires to move us up steep, unplowed driveways, and the tires offered sure grips descending that ice-covered slope as well.
Torque News contributor and fellow tester, Hande Tuncer, was the primary driver of the Venza over the time we had the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 tires mounted. She’s a physician by day, and she goes to the hospital to see patients regardless of the weather. On many occasions, she departed mid-storm, into the worst winter driving conditions we’ve seen in a long time. I watched her depart. Bit my nails, and awaited her “safely at work” text. Thanks in large part to the Goodyear tires, that text always came.
We’re not being overly dramatic. Dr. T, in fact, did slide on ice and had an accident in a prior vehicle with different tires a few years back, on her way to work on a no-school day when most businesses were closed due to severe weather. We are very happy to report that she describes the tires as “safe, grippy, and quiet.” She did have one close call this winter, and it may have been the tires that saved the day.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 - Quiet
We test all-season, all-weather, all-terrain, and winter tires as a team, and we are no strangers to tires that hum, howl, and hiss. The single biggest downside to any tire that is not optimized for touring is the added cabin noise. The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 tires add no noticeable noise at all. No humming. No hissing, even on the highway. This is actually unusual for all-weather tires, which normally do have a bit of added “acoustic signature.”
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 - Mileage Results
Our mileage is also going up. The Venza is optimized for fuel efficiency, and its 39 MPG EPA-Combined estimate was a big reason we purchased this car. Dr. T loves only having to get gas every two weeks due to its long 450-mile range on a single tank. Shortly after the new tires were mounted, we did see a drop in MPG. No surprise here. The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 tires are heavier than the flimsy OEM tires the car came with, and more mass means higher energy consumption when it comes to tires. However, our mileage is steadily coming back. It’s presently at 36 MPG after using winter-blend fuel. Barely a sacrifice given the many pluses of this all-weather capable tire.
The tire tread depth has gone from 8.42 mm to a measured 6.7 mm after approximately 14,000 miles of use. We consider that extraordinary longevity. If this trend holds, we would expect these tires to last well over 50,000 miles.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 - Results vs. Expectations
When we first began our testing in November 2024, we listed out five expectations. Here they are, along with our level of satisfaction:
1) Winter weather handling and safety (Better than typical all-season tires is expected)
Without a doubt, these tires are outstanding in winter. We proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
2) General performance - Handling, Braking, Wet Weather Performance
We are very satisfied with all the handling and braking aspects of this tire. It is better in every way than the OEM tire.
3) Noise (Similar to stock tires is the hope)
Our biggest surprise is that these tires are as quiet as they are. Perhaps the Venza just has great sound deadening, but based on our testing, there is no added noise from the tires.
4) Durability
We have seen no signs of damage, despite hitting many big potholes.
5) Longevity
With less than 2mm of wear over 14,000 miles, we feel the treadwear will prove impressive.
Our testing continues. Please check back late summer for another update, and let us know in the comments if we can answer any questions about the tires for you.
Test Note: The tires in this test were provided by Goodyear. We received a set from the initial production run before they were available for purchase. The authors/testers paid for mounting, balancing, and three tire rotations. Images by John Goreham.
John Goreham is a 14-year veteran of Torque News. An accomplished writer and a long-time expert in vehicle testing, Goreham also serves as the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association and has a growing social media presence. He’s also a 10-year staff writer and community moderator for Car Talk. Goreham holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an undergraduate Certificate in Marketing. In addition to vehicle and tire content, he offers deep dives into market trends and opinion pieces. You can follow John Goreham on X and TikTok, and connect with him on LinkedIn.
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