- December 15, 2015
- By SS Motor Sports
- In Tires
- Tags consumer, Continental, Cooper, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Nokian, Pirelli, Tires, Yokohama
- 3999
- 7
What Brands Sell the Best Tires
After carefully reviewing our latest test results and considering performance across the model line, the Consumer Reports tire-testing team has come up with this list of the best tire brands.
Of course, before you buy, check our detailed test findings—we currently offer comprehensive all-weather ratings on over 170 models—to make sure you’re buying the best tire for your needs.
As you’ll see below, many well-known brand names offer strong product lines. We’re currently testing all-season, performance all-season, and winter tires with many new models from several brands. Will a new brand join the top tier? We look forward to finding out.
—Gene Petersen
1. Michelin
Across the board, Michelin offers nearly a perfect blend of grip, handling, low rolling resistance for good fuel economy, and long tread life. In many instances, tread wear is class-leading, and Michelin has tread wear warranties on all replacement tires, including winter and summer tires. (Most competitors do not.) However, Michelin tires can be pricey and that holds back a lot of potential buyers. It’s too bad because if you factor in the outstanding tread wear, the Michelins might be a bargain compared to other tires with a lower price.
Top models
All-season: Michelin Defender
Performance all-season: Michelin Primacy MXV4. TheMichelin Premier AS is a successor and initial testing suggests a worthy one.
Ultra-high performance: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (all-season), Michelin Pilot Super Sport (summer)
Winter: Michelin X-ice Xi3, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 (performance), Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 (truck)
Truck: Michelin Latitude Tour (all-season), Michelin LTX M/S2 (all-season), Michelin LTX A/T 2 (all-terrain)
For more information, check our tire buying guide and Ratings.
2. Continental
Nipping at the heels, if not looking back at Michelin at times, Continental consistently offers high-scoring tires. Handling and impressive stopping grip on dry and wet roads are typical of this brand. As a bonus, they are attractively priced.
Top models
All-season: Continental ProContact EcoPlus (discontinued model in limited supply). The new TrueContact is being tested right now.
Performance all-season: Continental PureContact
Ultra-high performance: Continental ExtremeContact DW(summer)
Winter: Continental ExtremeWinterContact (truck). Currently being tested, the new WinterContact SI has outstanding snow traction.
Truck: Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus (all-season)
3. Goodyear
Not every model is a hit, but in the last two years Goodyear has come on strong with some recommended truck and ultra-high performance tires. All-season car tires are a bit long in the tooth; still the Goodyear Assurance TripleTread All-Season car tire is impressive. If you need an all-season tire with great snow traction, the Goodyear Assurance ComfortTred Touring is it.
Top models
All-season: Goodyear Assurance TripleTread All-Season
Ultra-high performance: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All Season, Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 (summer)
Truck: Goodyear Assurance CS TripleTred All-Season,Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure (all-terrain)
4. Pirelli
Known for ultra-high performance tires, Pirelli supplies original equipment rubber for many prestigious sports cars. Pirelli also offers some solid models for less exotic vehicles, too. Tread life is not always a strong point, but in recent years there have been updates with a “Plus” added to existing models, some of which we are testing now.
Top models
All-season: Pirelli P4 Four Seasons. We are testing Pirelli P4 Seasons Plus.
Performance all-season: Pirelli P7 Cinturato A/S is big on dry and wet grip, and handling, though tread life and stopping on ice are just fair. We are anxious to see how the new P7 Cinturato A/S Plus performs in our tests.
Ultra-high performance: Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season, Pirelli P Zero (summer)
5. Hankook, Cooper, Nokian, Yokohama
This final ranking is a tough spot to call, as there are many fine brands vying for the title. Rather than make a single selection, we consider this a four-way tie. Here’s the rundown:
Hankook has the top-rated Dynapro AT-M in the all-terrain category, and it has a couple impressive ultra-high performance tires: the Hankook Ventus S1 noble 2 (all-season) and Ventus V12 evo2 (summer). The Winter I*cept evo has been around for a number of years and still impresses with its well-balanced grip on cleared and snow-covered roads. Absent are all-season tire models that the company is now updating.
Cooper is strong in truck tires. The Discoverer A/TW is an all-terrain tire with winter tire-like grip, and the Discoverer SRX is a very good four-season tire. The Cooper Discoverer A/T3, once a top-rated all-terrain tire, is a favorite around our neck of the woods and gets high marks in user reviews at ConsumerReports.org. Cooper makes some great car tires with the Zeon RS3-A (all-season) ultra-high performance tire being a recommended model. We are testing a few new all-season Cooper car tires currently.
Nokian expertise is targeted to winter tires, including the Hakkapeliitta R2 and the Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV. The best-kept secret, though, might be the WR G3 and WR G3 SUV—winter tires that you can keep on your car or truck all year long. Nokian can make sporty tires, too; the zLine is an outstanding summer ultra-high performance tire. The downside is Nokian tires are not cheap.
Yokohama tires have characteristically impressed us with their sporty flair in three-season weather. The Advan Sport V105 offers excellent dry and wet grip, responsive handling, and good tread life for a summer tire. For family cars, the Avid Ascend all-season tire offers very good dry and wet grip and impressive tread life.
Resource: Consumer Report
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7 COMMENTS
Ronald Mathis
May 26, 2018, 7:47 am REPLYBridgestone. 6528, Michelin. 5922, Continental. 3774, Yokohama. 1167- are the name of some tire selling brands those are reputable for its high-quality product and service. I know using the best stuff is an important factor in outsourcing the maximum serviceability from the speed machine. That does not mean you can get more miles out of your rubber simply by choosing the best brand. Certainly not. Apart from choosing the best baggage, you have to give the necessary regards to the tire maintenance assignment- https://www.reggiesmotorworks.com/tire-repair so that you can increase the life-expectancy of the ring and can enhance safety and fuel-efficiency.
Jason Reeves
July 31, 2018, 8:05 am REPLYUndoubtedly, the tire is one of the indispensable ingredients of the speed machine. Both poor tire and poor tire care are having a significant impact on the overall performance of the convertible. A good quality tire not only makes the ride comfortable but also makes the intermediary fuel-efficient. In many instances, car parents make mistakes while selecting a rubber for their speedster. This is mainly because they don’t know which tire brand is the best and which one is the worst. BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, Falken, Firestone, General, Goodyear- are some of the best tire selling brands. Better a motorist should consult a tactful car-geek- https://glenwoodforeigncar.com/contact-us/ because he is the one who can help him in choosing the bestest among the best.
Zoe Plunkett
August 20, 2018, 6:24 am REPLYI would like to thank you for describing different types of tires which is really helpful to select the suitable tire for the vehicle. Tires are important components of the vehicle. Driving a vehicle with older or damaged tire could leads to an accident. So, tread depth of the tire should be inspected at a regular interval and if the tread depth is lower than average, then it should be replaced with suitable substitutes according to the manufacturer’s recommendation or as recommended by experienced technicians. Have a look at https://www.cerroneseuropean.com/bmw-service/
Lucy Plunkett
August 21, 2018, 7:18 am REPLYTires plays key role in the performance of the vehicle, hence needs regular maintenance. Tire pressure fluctuates with the fluctuation of surrounding temperature and under-inflated tires could not generate better friction and have negative impacts on the fuel economy of the vehicle. So, tire pressure should be inspected at a regular interval and if necessary should be properly inflated. Apart from this, seasonal fluctuation should be considered as one of the major factor while selecting tires for the vehicle. To get better recommendations, visit https://carbahnautoworks.com/services/
Sonny Page
August 27, 2018, 7:24 am REPLYI agree that one should select the best quality of tire for the vehicle. Such tires could last for longer time periods as compared to its ordinary counterparts. Driving a vehicle with lower tread depth has a significant impact on the performance of the vehicle. So, tread depth of the tires should be inspected at a regular interval and if necessary should be replaced with suitable substitutes. Apart from this, the vehicle needs regular maintenance to run smoothly for longer time periods. You may prefer to visit https://techplusautomotive.com/services/scheduled-maintenance/