Yokohama BluEarth ES32 Review — Affordable Japanese Quality for NZ Commuters

Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10

Category: Eco Touring

Price in NZ: From $265 per tyre

Best for: Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Mazda 2, Suzuki Swift — small efficient cars

Available sizes: 13″ – 16″ rims

Quick Verdict

The Yokohama BluEarth ES32 is the entry point into Yokohama’s extensive tyre lineup — and it brings genuine Yokohama engineering to a price point that makes it competitive with budget alternatives. At $265, it sits in the same bracket as the Dunlop SP Sport LM705 ($265) and just below the Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 ($274), but delivers EU Label A wet grip that both budget competitors achieve with only some variants. For NZ small car owners who want Japanese quality and environmental credentials at an accessible price, the BluEarth ES32 is a strong default.

Key Specifications

Orange Oil Compound — Yokohama’s Eco Technology

Yokohama’s defining technological signature across its BluEarth range is the Orange Oil compound. Derived from orange peel, this bio-based plasticiser replaces petroleum-based alternatives in the rubber compound. The result:

• Lower rolling resistance (reduced fuel consumption) — EU Label B
• Maintained wet grip despite lower rolling resistance — EU Label A
• Reduced environmental impact from petroleum use in manufacturing

The Orange Oil compound appears in Yokohama’s most advanced tyres (the Advan Sport V107) and in the entry-level BluEarth ES32 — a consistent brand-wide commitment to this technology.

Performance Profile

Wet Safety

EU Label A wet grip — Yokohama’s Orange Oil compound maintains grip in wet conditions despite the tyre’s eco focus. For NZ’s rain-heavy driving environment, this A-rating provides genuine safety confidence that budget alternatives without this rating cannot match.

Fuel Efficiency

EU Label B rolling resistance — real-world fuel savings that compound over high-mileage use. For Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz owners covering 15,000+ km annually, the fuel savings versus a Label C tyre are measurable.

Noise

68–70 dB — notably quiet for its price category. Yokohama’s Japanese design standards prioritise cabin refinement, and the ES32 reflects this in above-average noise levels for its class.

Comfort

Comfortable and compliant — designed for everyday NZ urban driving. The ES32’s flexible sidewall handles NZ’s patchwork suburban road surfaces and speed humps well.

NZ Road Conditions Assessment

Auckland and North Island

Verdict: Excellent value for small NZ cars

Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Mazda 2, and Suzuki Swift owners in Auckland will find the BluEarth ES32 delivers EU Label A wet safety at $265 — comparable to Michelin and Continental standards at a fraction of the price. The quiet ride suits constant urban stop-start driving and Auckland motorway commutes.

South Island and Wellington

Verdict: Good — coastal and mild conditions

The BluEarth ES32 is sized for small economy cars (13″–16″), making it relevant for Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington small car owners. Summer-biased compound — not suitable for alpine South Island conditions.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• EU Label A wet grip at the most accessible price in the Yokohama range ($265)
• Orange Oil compound — genuine eco technology that reduces fuel consumption
• Quieter than competitors at this price point — Yokohama’s Japanese refinement
• Suitable for OEM replacement on common NZ small cars

Cons

• Limited to small car sizes (13″–16″) — not available for medium or large vehicles
• Not a performance tyre — low lateral grip relative to sport-oriented tyres
• Summer compound — alpine South Island use not recommended

BluEarth ES32 vs Key Budget Competitors

Sources

1. Yokohama BluEarth ES32 specifications — yokohama.com — accessed 2026-06-01
2. Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/yokohama/ — accessed 2026-06-01
3. Orange Oil compound — yokohama.com/sustainability — accessed 2026-06-01

Related Pages

• Yokohama Advan Sport V107 — performance upgrade
• Yokohama Tyres NZ — brand overview
• Continental EcoContact 6 — strong competitor