Tyre noise question.

[GeoffW]

A couple of simple questions if I may about 185/60 R15 88H tyres for my 2020 Jazz:

1. Has anyone found any tyres which are quieter (i.e. less road noise) than the Yokohama Blue Earths?

2. Has anyone found any disadvantages with non-XL tyres?
I can't see the need for XL (extra-load) tyres if the tyres comply with the specified 88 load rating. If XL tyres have stiffer side walls won't they be less comfortable and possibly less quiet? Before anyone says XL tyres are less prone to sidewall punctures, I had to scrap a Yokohama XL rated tyre with a sidewall puncture because it wasn't repairable!

Thanks in advance.

[5thcivic]

Tyres are usually specified for EVs and Hybrids because of the extra weight of the high voltage batteries compared to conventional equivalent cars. Maybe it doesn't matter so much or maybe wear will be faster, without long term experiments difficult to know.

[Nicksey]

I re shoed the Jazz with Toyo proxes comforts after the Blue earths.
I have been very impressed with them, and they are far quiter than the Yoko were.
Better wet grip, better economy and quiter than the equivelent Conti/Michelin but at nearly half the price.

[Downsizer]

XL not needed on a Jazz I suggest. Disadvantages: more noise, higher fuel consumption, stiffer ride and higher cost. Not for me!

[coldstart]

1. Has anyone found any tyres which are quieter (i.e. less road noise) than the Yokohama Blue Earths?

It is getting ever more difficult to find modern tyres (and tyre-tests) in the Jazz's dimension.
I have found this one for slightly wider (205/55 R16) tyres that might give you some ideas:
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tests/2023-Tyre-Reviews-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm

2. Has anyone found any disadvantages with non-XL tyres?

The "XL" (or "extra load") means the manufacturer is offering the same size and thread with a lower load range as well. So, if you find a tyre with a load range of 87 (or higher) even without XL you are good to go.
However, you must not replace the Yokos with any tyre below the specified load range and speed rating from Honda!
For 15" wheels, Honda states 185/60R15 88H and 185/55R16 87H for 16" wheels.
XL-tyres tend to have stiffer sidewalls as their companions which may give a somewhat "rougher" but not necessarily louder ride.
I had the Yokohamas exchanged for Michelin Primacy 4+ at purchase (no surcharge!) and am quite happy with them.
The Michelin Primacy 4+ are quite comfortable to ride and have excellent grip on wet roads. As I have only driven Yokohamas on the pre-facelift Jazz I got for a test drive over three years ago, I'm not in a position to compare them noise-wise (during the test drive my attention was somehow elsewhere than tyre noise)

[RA273]

@ Geoff W.

@1) Michelin Crossclimates are (much) quieter than Yokos.
Way back in 2022 I had my Jazz with Yokohamas changed for Michelins before delivery (at some cost).
Shortly thereafter I had some issue (not tyre related), went to the dealer and to investigate we went for a testdrive.
To be sure he proposed to do exactly the same testdrive with a demo Jazz on the standard Yokohamas.
We both noticed a big increase in tyre noise.

@2) cannot help you with this, know nothing about it
 

[PaultheManc]

I replaced the original Yokohamas on my 22 Jazz a few months ago with CONTINENTAL 185/60VR15 CO ALLSEASONCONTACT 2 XL 88V.
I find them much quieter, comfortable and feel more sure footed.  Happy customer so far.

[GeoffW]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Further to my original post, the main reason I ask about tyres which people have found quieter than the Yokohamas is that the Yokos are rated at 68dB which is less than nearly all other makes (which are generally 70 or 71), but I don't think they are actually that quiet. If people are finding other makes have less road noise it does throw into question the published noise ratings.

Or is it simply that new tyres are quieter than worn tyres?

On the XL question, let me try and clarify; Honda specifies a load rating of 88 for the Jazz. No mention of them needing to be XL. XL means they have stiffer reinforced side walls, which does not change their load-carrying rating. Vredestein for instance offer 185/60 R15 88H in XL AND non-XL spec. Why, for normal road use, would I want to have stiffer reinforced side walls?

Those of us old enough to remember when radials were first becoming popular will know their main selling point was that they had flexible side walls which meant a smoother ride and better grip because the full width of the tread was always in contact with the road. Now some manufacturers are promoting XL tyres with stiffer side walls as an advantage!

[Pine]

The noise rating on new tyres relates to the drive by noise.  When Auto Express carries out tyre tests  they measure the in-cabin noise, so it may help to look at the AE tyre tests.