According to Consumer Reports latest report on tyre manufacturers, Michelin ranks at the top with its Defender series. 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 tyres, including winter and summer tyres, unlike other competitors. However, Michelin’s products are priced higher, thereby holding back a lot of potential buyers.
Second on the list is Continental with its ExtremeWinterContact. Continental’s tyres are said to allow for handling and impressive stopping grip on dry and wet roads, as well as being attractively priced. Trailing behind is Goodyear and its Eagle F1 Asymmetric, with Goodyear credited for truck and ultra-high performance tyres like the Assurance TripleTread All-Season car tyres and Assurance ComfortTred Touring for snow traction.
Following behind is Pirelli’s Scorpian Verde. Apart from 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 are being tested now.
For the rest of the tyre makers like Hankook, Cooper, Nokian and Yokohama, ConsumerReports.org says is a tough spot to call, as there are many fine brands vying for the title. It pitches Hankook’s Dynapro AT-M in the all-terrain category plus the 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 tyre models that the company is now updating.
Cooper it says is strong in truck tyres like the Discoverer A/TW, an all-terrain tyre with winter tyre-like grip, and the Discoverer SRX for all seasons. Nokian expertise is targeted to winter tyres, including the Hakkapeliitta R2 and the Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV. The best-kept secret, though, might be the WR G3 and WR G3 SUV winter tyres that can be kept on a car or truck all year long, although the company says Nokian’s tyres are not cheap. Yokohama tyres are said to have a sporty flair in three-season weather with the Advan Sport V105 offering excellent dry and wet grip, responsive handling, and good tread life for a summer tyre.