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TIRE RATINGS
Top Tires
It doesn’t pay to skimp when buying replacement treads
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Shopping for new tires can be a daunting task. You can look at and feel them, but there’s no way to tell simply by how they look which provides the best grip, the longest life, or the shortest stopping distance.
That’s why Consumer Reports tests 50 or more tire models each year, with each going through as many as 14 rigorous tests.
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We’ve found you generally get what you pay for. No matter the type, tires that combine the best grip with the longest tread life may cost a little more, but will likely be worth it in the long run.
For example, a $130 tire that will last twice as long as an $87 tire is a better bet, assuming other factors are equal. Still, the cheaper tire may be just fine if you won’t be keeping your car for long. Many tires have a pro-rated tread-wear warranty—but consult our tread life Rating or mileage for a direct comparison on how long a tire will last.
We have found some tires with lower rolling resistance allowed our test cars to get one to two more mpg than tires with the highest rolling resistance. But the mileage you get with brand-new, low-resistance tires may initially be worse than the old, end-of-life tires you are replacing. This is because tires with tens of thousands of miles of wear have less tread and behave more like low-rolling resistance tires.
We recommend sticking to the same type and size tire that originally came on your car. First, check the Ratings for ones that provide good braking and handling capabilities, as well as good hydroplaning resistance, which can help you avoid an accident. After that, look for models rated highly in areas important to you, such as winter grip, tread life, ride comfort, and rolling resistance.
EVERY SEASON: COVERED
While regular all-season tires typically come in T-speed ratings (up to 118 mph), many new cars come with per formance all-season tires in H- and V-speed ratings (with ceilings of 130 mph and 149 mph, respectively). These deliver better grip, but at the cost of some tread life. Most don’t carry a price penalty for performance, and there are some bargains available. A few also offer good snow and ice traction.
TRADITIONAL TRUCK TIRES
Big SUVs and pickup trucks have specifically-designed tires, although many can also be used on crossovers.
All-season or all-terrain SUV/truck tires are designed for the rigors of towing and carrying heavy loads. All-terrain tires also provide some off-road grip.
HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?
Our latest test of all-season and performance all-season car tires includes the projected wear-out mileage in place of the five point tread-life Rating scale.
To determine longevity, we test tread life at a contract lab in Texas where each tire is driven 16,000 miles (12,000 miles for ultra-high-performance tires) on public roads. We’ve been conducting this test for several years.
We found that close to half of the 48 all-season and performance all-season tires that we tested could be expected to last 65,000 miles or more, and about a half dozen could top 85,000 miles. A rewarding surprise: Long tread life doesn’t necessarily bring much of a price premium, if any.
Our tread life estimates let you compare the expected miles-to-wear-out for the specific tires we tested, but your actual experience will vary by how, where, and what vehicle you drive, among many other factors.
Michelin was a standout in our latest tests. The three Michelin models we
rated all met or exceeded their mileage warranty, and also did very well overall in our performance tests. But the longest-wearing tire came from Pirelli. We estimate that its P4 Four Seasons Plus could last a whopping 100,000 miles.
Falling short. Models we project— based on our tests—to fall short of their mileage claim by 15,000 miles or more include the Continental TrueContact and PureContact (H, V), Sumitomo HTR Enhance L/X (T, H, V), Kumho Solus TA71 and TA11, Firestone Precision Touring, and Bridgestone Serenity Plus. These tires are still viewed as longwearing tires, and your actual mileage will vary based on many different driving factors.
The Nokian eNTYRE 2.0, with an 80,000-mile warranty, was the biggest outlier in our tests. We calculate that it would wear out in 35,000 miles. Nokian now offers a supplemental warranty and will replace the tire for free if it wears out in 40,000 miles.
What’s wrong with warranties. If your new tires wear out prematurely, the manufacturer’s pro-rated tire warranty typically provides only a partial credit, representing the miles you didn’t get, good toward the purchase of an identical or comparable tire from the same maker.
The credit is applied to the dealer’s retail price, but that price is often fictional due to frequent discounting.
On top of that, restrictions abound. Your tires may have to show even wear across the tread or the deal’s off. You may also have to document in writing that you had the tires rotated at the prescribed intervals, usually every 5,000 miles, since they were new.
WHERE TO SHOP
Between looking at traditional tire stores, local car dealerships, big-box superstores, and Internet retailers, you have ample sources with which to compare prices for the tires you want. We recommend replacing all four tires at the same time for the best balance of handling and grip: ○ Check online first. Ask for a final price, including shipping and any extras. ○ Check with local retailers and ask if they can meet or beat the online prices. Also ask what they’d charge to mount and balance tires you buy elsewhere. ○ Be sure to compare the final “out the door” price including mounting, balancing, wheel alignment, and disposal of your old tires. ○ Extras like free lifetime tire rotations and a free replacement road-hazard guarantee may tilt the scales to one retailer over another. ○ If your car has a tire-pressure monitoring system you may face a modest extra charge, and if the sensors in the wheels need to be replaced, expect to pay $30 or more per sensor.
Quick Recommendations
These are high-scoring models that stand out for the reasons below.
ALL-SEASON TIRES
Michelin Defender Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus
Michelin Defender d Recommended 5 4 3 2 1
Better Worse
Rec.
BRAND & MODEL SCORE THREE-SEASON DRIVING
Dry Braking Wet Braking Handling Hydroplaning
WINTER DRIVING COMFORT OTHER
Snow Traction Ice Braking Ride Noise Rolling Resistance Tread Life, Miles
ALL SEASON TIRES
d Michelin Defender 70 X C XXX CC ZX 90,000
d Continental TrueContact General Altimax RT43 Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus Nexen Aria AH7 Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season Kumho Solus TA11 Cooper CS5 Grand Touring Yokohama Avid Ascend BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring Sumitomo HTR Enhance L/X Toyo Extensa A/S Firestone Precision Touring Firestone FR710 GT Radial Champiro VP1 68 66 66 64 62 62 62 60 58 56 56 54 54 52 50 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X C XXX V XXZ CC XZ C XXX CC XX C XXZ CCC X CC ZX C XX CBC X C VC XX CC XZ CC XX B XXX VC X CV XXX VC X CC X CV VC X CV X CC VC X CV XX C VCCCVC X C CCCVV X C X CCCVVCC X CC X BB XXX 60,000 65,000 100,000 75,000 80,000 55,000 70,000 90,000 75,000 65,000 70,000 60,000 55,000 55,000 45,000
Quick Recommendations
These are high-scoring models that stand out for the reasons below.
PERFORMANCE ALL-SEASON TIRES H-RATED
Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus
Michelin Premier A/S
PERFORMANCE ALL-SEASON TIRES V-RATED
Michelin Premier A/S d Recommended 5 4 3 2 1
Better Worse
Rec.
BRAND & MODEL SCORE THREE-SEASON DRIVING
Dry Braking Wet Braking Handling Hydroplaning
WINTER DRIVING COMFORT OTHER
Snow Traction Ice Braking Ride Noise Rolling Resistance Tread Life, Miles
PERFORMANCE ALL SEASON, H-RATED
d d Continental PureContact Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus Michelin Premier A/S Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max General Altimax RT43 70 70 70 68 68 XXXXX V XXX X CC XX C XXZ XX C XX C XXX XXXX CCC XZ X C XX CC XXX 55,000 70,000 85,000 60,000 65,000
Nokian eNTYRE 2.0
Nexen N5000 Plus 68 XXXZ CV XXX 35,000 66 X V XXX C XXZ 75,000
Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring Dunlop SP Sport 7000 A/S Kumho Solus TA31 64 64 64 X X X C XX CC X C XX CB XX CCC X CVCC C C Z 60,000 65,000 55,000
Toyo Versado Noir 60 X CCC X V X C X 65,000
Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sumitomo HTR Enhance L/X Falken Ziex ZE950 A/S GT Radial Champiro VP1 60 58 58 56 52 X X X X X CC X VC X VC X CCC CC X CV X C X CV X CC CV XX C X VCCV BBCC X 60,000 65,000 55,000 55,000 50,000
d Recommended 5 4 3 2 1
Better Worse
Rec.
BRAND & MODEL SCORE THREE-SEASON DRIVING
Dry Braking Wet Braking Handling Hydroplaning
WINTER DRIVING COMFORT OTHER
Snow Traction Ice Braking Ride Noise Rolling Resistance Tread Life, Miles
PERFORMANCE ALL SEASON, V-RATED
d d Continental PureContact Michelin Premier A/S Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus General Altimax RT43 Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Yokohama Avid Ascend Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring Kumho Solus TA71 Bridgestone DriveGuard Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Falken Ziex ZE950 A/S Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring Sumitomo HTR Enhance L/X 70 70 70 68 64 62 62 60 60 60 60 58 56 56 56 52 XXXXX V XXX XXXXX V XX C X CC XX V XXZ X C XX CV XXX X C XX CBCC X X VC XX V XXX X VC X CV XX C X C XX CB XX V X C XZ CV XX V XX C X CBC X C X CC X VV XX C X CC X CBCCC X VC X CV X CC X CCC X VCCC X CC X CV X C X X VC X VB XX C 55,000 80,000 65,000 55,000 70,000 75,000 85,000 50,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 85,000 60,000 55,000 60,000 55,000
Quick Recommendations
These are high-scoring models that stand out for the reasons below.
UHP ALL-SEASON TIRES
Best for all weather conditions:
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All Season
Other very good choices:
Hankook Ventus S1 noble 2 Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season Cooper Zeon RS3-A
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All Season
UHP SUMMER TIRES
Best overall:
Pirelli P Zero Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Other very good choices:
d Recommended Better Worse
Rec.
BRAND & MODEL SCORE THREE-SEASON DRIVING
Dry Braking Wet Braking Handling Hydroplaning
WINTER DRIVING COMFORT OTHER
Snow Traction Ice Braking Ride Noise Rolling Resistance Tread Life
UHP ALL SEASON
d Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 d Goodyear All Season Eagle F1 Asymmetric 76 ZXZX CC XX C X 70 XXXX C X C XXX
d d d Continental Extreme Contact DWS Hankook Ventus S1 noble 2 BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season Cooper Zeon RS3-A Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ General G-Max AS-03 Falken ZE950 A/S Nexen N7000 Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position Sumitomo HTR A/S PO1 Kumho Ecsta 4x Nitto Motivo Falken Azenis PT722 A/S Toyo Proxes 4 Plus Maxxis Victra MA-Z4S Yokohama Avid ENVigor Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval AS 66 66 66 64 64 62 62 62 62 60 58 58 56 56 56 54 52 52 XXZZ BC X CCV XXXZ CC XXX V ZXZX CVCCVC XXXZ CCC XX C XXXX CC X C X C Z C XX C XX C XZ X C XX CV X V XX ZXXX CCCCVC CCC Z CC XXZZ XX C X VCVCCC X C XX CV XX CC X C XZ VV XX CC X VC XX CC X C Z X V XXX CCC XZ X V XX CCC X C Z X C XZ BB X CCC CC XZ BV X C XX CVC Z CC XXX C
Rec.
BRAND & MODEL SCORE THREE-SEASON DRIVING WINTER DRIVING COMFORT OTHER
Dry Braking Wet Braking Dry Handling Wet Handling Hydroplaning Snow Traction Ice Braking Ride Noise Rolling Resistance Tread Life
UHP SUMMER
d Pirelli P Zero 78 ZZZZZ NA NA XX VV
d d d d d d d Michelin Pilot Super Sport Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105 Nokian zLine Continental Extreme Contact DW Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 Vredestein Ultrac Vorti Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position Toyo Proxes T1 Sport Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 GT Radial Champiro UHP1 Falken Azenis FK-453 Kumho Ecsta LE Sport Yokohama S.Drive Sumitomo HTR ZIII 78 76 76 76 74 72 72 70 68 66 66 66 64 64 62 62 62 ZXZZZ ZZZXZ ZZZZZ ZZZXZ ZZXZZ ZXZXZ ZZXXZ ZZXXZ ZXZXZ ZXXXZ ZXXXZ ZXXXX ZXZXX XXXXZ ZXXXZ XXXXX XXXXX NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA XX C X C X CC XXX C XXX V C XX V CC X C XX CC X VVV XX VB X CCC XZ VC CBVC V X CV XX CV XX CV CCCV CCCV
Quick Recommendations
These are high-scoring models that stand out for the reasons below.
ALL-SEASON TRUCK TIRES
Very good choices for most weather conditions:
Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus Cooper Discoverer SRX
ALL-TERRAIN TRUCK TIRES
Hankook Dynapro AT-M Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar Michelin LTX A/T2 Cooper Discoverer A/TW
Very good choices for most weather conditions:
Falken WildPeak A/T01
Guide to the Ratings
Overall score is based on up to 14 tests, with braking, handling, and hydroplaning resistance more heavily weighted for most tires. Braking tests on ice are from 10 mph; on dry and wet pavement from 60 mph. Handling for many tires combines how well a tire did in wet and dry cornering grip, steering feel, and an emergency handling maneuver. For UHP tires, (dry) handling includes dry cornering grip, avoidance maneuver performance, and subjective steering feel. Where noted, wet handling includes wet cornering grip and handling on our wet circuit. Hydroplaning denotes a tire’s ability to resist skimming along the surface of standing water. Snow traction tests denote how far a vehicle has to travel to accelerate from 5 to 20 mph on flat, moder ately packed snow. Ride comfort and Noise are evaluated subjectively, on rough and smooth roads. Rolling resistance, as measured on a dynamometer, is a factor in fuel economy. Tread life indicates wear potential from our 12,000- or 16,000-mile mixed vehicle driving test.
Michelin LTX M/S2 Hankook Dynapro ATM
d Recommended 5 4 3 2 1
Better Worse
Rec.
BRAND & MODEL SCORE THREE-SEASON DRIVING
Dry Braking Wet Braking Handling Hydroplaning
WINTER DRIVING COMFORT OTHER
Snow Traction Ice Braking Ride Noise Rolling Resistance Tread Life
ALL-SEASON TRUCK
d Michelin LTX M/S2 d Goodyear Assurance CS TripleTred All-Season d Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus
d Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus d Cooper Discoverer SRX Nokian WR G3 SUV 74 XXXZX C XZ C Z 70 ZX C X CCC Z C Z 68 ZXXZ CC XZXX 68 ZZ C Z CV XZ CC 68 XXXZX CC XXX 66 XXXZX CCCCV
Uniroyal Laredo Cross Country Tour Firestone Destination LE2 General Grabber HTS 66 66 66 ZXXX CC XX ZXXZX CC X ZX C Z CCC Z V X CC VC Falken WildPeak H/T 01 Hankook Dynapro HT GT Radial Savero HT2 64 Z CC Z CCC X V X 64 ZXXZ CCCCC X 64 Z C XZ CVC XX V
Toyo Open Country H/T 62 Z C XX CC XX B X
Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 Maxxis Bravo HT-770 62 60 Z Z CC Z C XZ CCC X VC XZ CV CC Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus Geostar GS716 60 58 XXXZ Z C XX CVCCCC VVCCCC Sunny SN3606 54 ZX C Z BVVVBV
Rec.
BRAND & MODEL SCORE THREE-SEASON DRIVING
Dry Braking Wet Braking Handling Hydroplaning
WINTER DRIVING COMFORT OTHER
Snow Traction Ice Braking Ride Noise Rolling Resistance Tread Life
ALL-TERRAIN TRUCK
d Hankook Dynapro AT-M d Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar d Michelin LTX A/T2 66 Z CC XX CCCC Z 66 ZXXX CCCCB X 66 X CC ZX C X C XZ
d d Cooper Discoverer A/TW Falken WildPeak A/T01 Maxxis Bravo AT-771 64 64 62 X C XZX CCCC X ZX C ZX VCCCC Z CC Z CCCCVC
BFGoodrich Rugged Terrain T/A Cooper Discoverer A/T3 Nokian Rotiiva AT 62 60 60 ZXXX CCVVV X Z C XZ CV X CVC Z CC ZX V X CCC
Nexen Rodian AT Pro 60 Z CC XX CCCVC
Kumho Road Venture AT KL78 58 X CC XX CCCVC Dick Cepek Trail Country Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2 Firestone Destination A/T 58 58 58 56 Z CC Z CC ZX C X VC XX CCCBC Z CBCCVV Z CCCCVV Z CCCCVC
