Tires are one of the most important parts of a car, but many people don’t pay much attention to them. They’re part of the suspension system, which affects how smooth or bumpy your ride feels. The pattern on the tire, the materials used, and how it’s made all play a big role.
For instance, summer tires are built for warm temperatures and have patterns made to grip dry roads. Winter tires use softer rubber and have patterns that work better in snowy conditions.
All-season tires are made from rubber that handles both hot and cold weather fairly well and have a pattern that works on dry, wet, and snowy roads.
Choosing the right tire takes time and effort because there are so many kinds available. Besides all-season, summer, and winter tires, there are special types too — like eco tires, which help save fuel by reducing resistance, and performance tires like the ones used in NASCAR.
There are also run-flat tires — these are built to let you keep driving for a short distance after getting a flat, giving you time to reach a safe place.
With so many options out there, choosing the best tire can be tough. So here’s a list of well-known tire brands, ranked from worst to best, to help you get started.
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19. GT Radial
GT Radial is on the lower half of this list. Their main selling point is that they’re affordable. If you need new tires but don’t have a lot of money to spend, GT Radial could be a good pick.
The brand doesn’t have as many options as other companies. Most of their tires are made for winter, but they also have some all-season and touring tires.
The winter options include the Champiro and Icepro lines, while the Touring VP Plus, Maxtour All Season, and Savero are their main touring and all season options.
GT Radial hasn’t been reviewed by major tire experts as much as other brands, so it’s hard to fully judge their quality. Like many brands, they have both fans and critics. In general, people think they’re better than other cheap tires and worth the money, even if they don’t perform as well.
Many buyers said they were happy with how the tire felt, considering the low cost. Some GT Radial tires can be found for around $65 to $70 each, so they are a budget-friendly option.
18. Nexen
Nexen has been around for quite a while. It started in 1942 as Heung-A Tire Company and was one of the first tire makers in Korea.
The company has locations around the world, including in the U.S. Nexen is similar to GT Radial in that it offers low-cost tires you can buy if you need something quickly or are short on cash. Their products come under several names, including Classe Premiere, N Priz RH, N FERA, and Roadian.
The performance of these tires matches their price range. Most of their products offer decent grip on dry and wet roads and are okay in terms of comfort.
But many reports raise concerns about how well they hold up in winter and how long the tread lasts. If you get Nexen tires, be careful when driving in the snow and make sure to rotate your tires regularly.
Some Nexen tires, such as the Classe Premiere CP671 H, do better than others. On the other hand, some like the N Priz AH8, don’t perform as well. Nexen, like GT Radial, offers okay quality for what you pay, but spending more money will usually get you something better.
17. Dunlop
Dunlop has been making tires for a long time. Its first factory opened in Ireland in 1890. Since 1999, it has been connected to a larger company. Today, Dunlop doesn’t have as many tire options as other brands, but it still has enough to cover most vehicle types.
Some of its models include the Grandtrek Touring A/S for SUVs and crossovers, the Grandtrek SJ6 for trucks, and touring all-season tires like the Enasave 01 A/S and Signature II. Dunlop also sells summer tires, which it calls ultra-high performance all-season tires, meant for cars like BMW and Lexus.
In general, Dunlop makes decent tires. There are just two small problems. First, there aren’t many size options. For example, the standard all-season tires don’t come in size 225/50R17, which is used by the 10th-generation Honda Accord.
Second, Dunlop tires usually test in the middle range. The Signature II is an exception and tests well, but most others get average results in tests done by places like Tire Rack.
16. Firestone
Firestone is another old brand. It started in Akron, Ohio, in 1900 as a tire and rubber company and has been going strong ever since. Like Dunlop, Firestone doesn’t have a huge number of models, but it covers all the main types.
Firestone offers the WeatherGrip all-season tires, Winterforce CV for trucks, and Transforce CV all-seasons. The brand also makes all-terrain tires that work both on and off roads.
Firestone tires are a mix in terms of quality. Some models, like the Affinity Touring and standard Firestone All Season, perform in the middle range during tests.
Others, such as the Transforce CV, Winterforce CV, and WeatherGrip, score a bit better. That means Firestone makes reliable tires that do well for comfort, grip, and wear, but you’ll want to focus on the higher-end models for the best results.
15. Hankook
Hankook is a tire company from South Korea that began in 1941. It’s mostly known for its Kinergy and Ventus lines of tires. Each line has several versions, including summer tires, all-seasons, grand touring tires, crossover tires, and high-performance options.
Hankook also makes Dynapro and Optimo models to round out its collection. Even though Hankook may seem to have more options than Dunlop or Firestone, many of them are just small changes to similar tires, so the variety is about the same.
When it comes to performance, Hankook is like the two brands before it — results vary. The Kinergy GT doesn’t perform great on wet or snowy roads, while the Kinergy ST does better than average. Most of Hankook’s tires fall in the middle range — they do fine in wet weather and are a bit less strong in snow.
That’s typical for many tires that aren’t made for winter. So, Hankook is a solid choice with some flaws, but those flaws are fairly normal. If you need a better grip in snow, you can always get winter tires.
14. General
General has been making tires for more than 100 years and has an interesting history as one of the major tire makers over that time. Like Firestone, General started in Akron, Ohio.
The company offers a medium range of tires that cover all the common needs. Its most popular product is the AltiMAX, which comes in two versions: the 365 AW and the RT45.
General also has a bunch of all-season, all-terrain, and light truck tires in its Grabber series. Two of the more popular ones are the Grabber Arctic and the Grabber A/TX.
The good news is that most of General’s tires do very well in tests. The four mentioned earlier — AltiMAX 365 AW, RT45, Grabber Arctic, and Grabber A/TX — all earn high scores in various tests, including ones from Tire Rack. There are a few models, like the Grabber HD, that don’t get the same praise.
Still, most of the General’s tires are solid performers. They even come in sizes that work for cars like the 10th-generation Honda Accord. The off-road tires stand out, and the all-seasons are competitive. Their Altimax Arctic 12 is also considered one of the better snow tires out there.
13. Kumho
Kumho is younger than many of the bigger tire brands. It was founded in 1960 in South Korea. Unlike some companies that try to cover every tire category, Kumho focuses mostly on grand touring tires.
They make more than a dozen tires in this category, with a few options in summer, ultra-high performance, and other segments. Kumho also produces tires made just for racing and track use.
As with many brands, Kumho has some hits and some misses. Certain models, like the Crugen HP71, Solus TA11, and Crugen Premium, perform well and are solid choices in their classes.
But not every Kumho tire does as well. For example, testing from Tire Rack shows that the Solus KL21 doesn’t perform well in snow and wears out quicker than expected. So while you can find good tires from Kumho, it’s important to choose carefully.
12. Yokohama
Yokohama is a newer brand compared to some others, starting in 1969 in Tokyo, Japan. Unlike the South Korean brands, Yokohama has a wide variety of tires. They make all-terrain, all-season, summer, and winter tires, along with options for crossovers and light trucks.
One of their top products is the Geolandar, and Yokohama has over a dozen versions of it made for different types of vehicles. They also have the Avid and Advan models, which include summer tires and regular all-season touring tires.
Luckily, offering so many types hasn’t hurt Yokohama’s quality. Most of their tires, like the Avid Ascend LX and Geolandar X-CV, perform very well and can match up against any other brand. But not every tire is excellent.
Some models, like the Avid Touring-S and Geolandar G91AV, are more average, and the Geolandar G91A doesn’t score well at all. So, like Kumho, Yokohama makes good tires, but not all their models perform at the same level.
11. Toyo
Toyo has been around for quite a while. It began as a rubber company in Japan in 1945 and started making car tires in the 1950s.
Like many other tire companies, Toyo has a variety of options. These include regular touring all-season tires, high-performance models, off-road all-terrain tires, and all-season tires made specifically for SUVs and crossovers.
Among these, Toyo seems to focus most on crossovers, offering around a dozen different models for that type. Some of their well-known lines include the Celsius, Extensa, Proxes, and Open Country.
Toyo is similar to brands like Cooper and Falken in terms of price and performance. Reviews show that Toyo tires perform reasonably well, though not at the top of the chart. Results vary depending on the type, but Toyo usually lands somewhere in the upper-middle range.
Their strongest products seem to be the all-season tires, though their high-performance options are decent for people who don’t want to spend too much. Whether you choose Toyo, Cooper, or Falken, you’re likely to get similar results — it mainly depends on which one you prefer.
10. Continental
Continental is one of the five largest tire companies in the world. It was founded in 1871 in Hanover, Germany, and it’s the first European brand to appear on this list.
The company offers a wide range of tires and also provides original equipment tires for many car manufacturers, which adds to its popularity.
Continental’s main tire lines include ContiSportContact, ExtremeContact, and ProContact. These names appear across different types like summer tires, all-season touring, and SUV tires, making it a bit hard to keep track of what’s what. The company is also known for introducing creative new tire designs.
Because they offer so many models, the results vary. Many Continental tires get middle-of-the-road scores on performance tests. They often don’t score very well for snow use, but they do fine in other areas.
Some models stand out, like the Continental CrossContact LX, which does a decent job in tests. One of their most impressive products is the Continental ProContact RX SSR, which is considered one of the best run-flat tires you can buy. So even though not every tire is great, there are still some strong choices in the mix.
9. BFGoodrich
BFGoodrich is another brand that started in Akron, Ohio. It was founded in 1870 by Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich and opened the first tire factory in North America.
The company has a long history, including winning back-to-back Indianapolis 500 races and providing tires for Charles Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight.
Today, BFGoodrich has a decent but somewhat smaller number of tire models. Some popular choices include the Advantage Control touring tires, the Advantage T/A Sport LT for crossovers, and the Radial T/A, which is made for performance.
BFGoodrich doesn’t have many major flaws. Their summer and high-performance tires aren’t the best in wet conditions, but that’s normal for those types. Their touring tires do much better and are strong in wet, snowy, and comfortable driving.
They also last longer than many other brands if you take good care of them. BFGoodrich makes solid tires — they just don’t have a huge variety, so it might be a bit harder to find the right size for every vehicle.
8. Falken
Falken Tires is mainly known for making affordable tires, but the brand has done some impressive things over the years. It started in 1983 and has produced many types of tires, including ones made for professional racing.
For everyday drivers, Falken is a strong option in the midrange tire market. Its biggest rival in this space is Cooper Tires, and the two are often compared.
Falken offers a wide range of tires, such as the Sincera grand touring models, Winterpeak tires for snowy conditions, and the WildPeak series for SUVs, off-road use, and all-terrain driving.
Falken tires usually perform well. Based on reviews from places like Tire Rack, they score nicely in different areas like grip and comfort, though they rarely reach the very top.
Every so often, Falken puts out a tire that stands out, such as the Sincera SN250 A/S, which gets excellent reviews. The brand also supplies tires to some carmakers like Jeep, so many people may have driven on Falken tires without even knowing it.
Falken is a smart choice for people who want solid tires without spending too much, though those looking for the very best might prefer other brands.
7. Cooper
Here’s a hint about where Cooper Tires began — it starts with “A” and ends with “kron.” The company was founded in 1914. Cooper doesn’t have the largest tire selection, but it covers all the main types, including all-terrain, grand touring, truck, crossover, and off-road tires.
Some of their most well-known models come from the Discoverer series, which is aimed at bigger vehicles. For smaller cars, the Endeavor and ProControl models are solid options.
The nice thing about Cooper is that it doesn’t really make a bad tire. All the models reviewed scored well in every category. While their tires aren’t the best in snow, they still get above-average marks.
So Cooper stands out as a company with no clear weak spots, and the test results support that. Even though the lineup isn’t huge, Cooper tires are consistently rated as top choices in their categories. They might rank higher if they made more types of tires.
6. Bridgestone
Bridgestone has often held the title of the world’s largest tire maker. It was founded in 1930 as the Nihon Tabi Company in Japan and rebranded as Bridgestone in 1931 in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. Today, the brand offers a huge selection of tires, including summer, winter, performance, and touring models.
They come in many sizes, making it easy to find one that fits most cars. Most of Bridgestone’s tires fall under the Ecopia, Turanza, Potenza, Dueler, Alenza, and Blizzak series.
Bridgestone has a strong reputation. Most of its tires do well in testing and reviews. The Blizzak line, in particular, is highly rated as one of the best options for winter driving.
While Bridgestone does have a few models, like some of the more affordable Ecopia tires, that perform closer to average, this is likely to keep prices lower.
One area where Bridgestone tends to fall short is treadwear. It’s not bad, but even their best tires usually have lower treadwear scores compared to other top brands.
5. Sumitomo
Sumitomo is one of the oldest Japanese tire brands on this list. It was founded in 1909 and originally made tires and tubes for bicycles before moving on to car tires in the 1910s. These days, Sumitomo makes fewer types of car tires and has one of the smallest lineups of any brand mentioned.
The tire you’re most likely to find is the Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2, which fits both sedans and SUVs. The company also offers ultra-high-performance summer and all-season tires under the HTR name, and the Encounter AT, which is its all-terrain tire.
Having a small number of tire models works in Sumitomo’s favor. All three main models perform well in tests, with scores ranging from good to excellent, depending on the category.
Sumitomo seems to do best when it comes to tread life and ride comfort, and its all-season touring tires handle wet roads quite well.
The only weak spot appears to be snowy conditions, and even there, Sumitomo performs better than a lot of other brands. While the selection is limited, the quality is strong, though the tires are a bit on the pricey side.
4. Vredestein
Vredestein isn’t the most well-known brand here, but it makes high-quality tires. It began in 1908 in the Netherlands and is the second European company on this list.
Like Sumitomo, Vredestein has a small selection of tires, but it covers key types: all-season touring, summer, and winter. Most of the tires fall into four groups: Quatrac and HiTrac for all-season touring, Wintrac for winter, and Ultrac for summer.
Nearly every tire from Vredestein scores well in reviews. The Quatrac Pro+ and the HiTrac All Season are considered among the best available on Tire Rack — one ranked number one and the other number seven.
These tires perform strongly in dry, wet, and snowy conditions while also offering a smooth ride. The only reason Vredestein isn’t higher is that the limited variety means some car sizes and types may not be covered. These tires also tend to cost more.
3. Pirelli
Pirelli is one of the most recognized tire makers worldwide, especially among driving enthusiasts, but it also makes good tires for everyday use. It was founded in Italy in 1872 and has been making tires ever since. Pirelli is also known as the only tire used in Formula 1 racing.
For regular drivers, Pirelli offers a good range of tires under several main product lines like P7, P Zero, Cinturato, and Scorpion. If you’re shopping for consumer vehicles, you’ll probably come across the P7 or Scorpion models most often.
Pirelli makes very high-performing tires. All the models reviewed scored highly in every category. While it’s not the top option for snow, even the Scorpion AS Plus 3 scored better than most.
Pirelli also offers both an excellent touring tire and a great run-flat tire in the Cinturato P7 All Season Run Flat. Basically, you can choose any Pirelli tire and get a good result — just be aware that they’re usually more expensive than many other options.
2. Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the most well-known tire brands around and is easily one of the top four biggest tire makers. It was founded in 1898 and, like many other tire companies, it started in Akron, Ohio. Since Goodyear is such a large company, it offers a huge range of tires.
Most of these fit into a few main product lines. People usually know Goodyear best for its Assurance, Eagle F1, and Wrangler tires, which are made for most regular vehicles.
The good news is that many of Goodyear’s tires are high quality. The Assurance WeatherReady tires have strong test results and ratings. The ComfortDrive tire is another good one, offering great comfort and long tread life, although it’s just slightly above average on snow.
While Goodyear does have a few average-performing tires, none of the ones we found tested poorly. That’s impressive, especially since the brand makes so many different tires.
The only real downside is that their run-flat tires aren’t as strong as the rest, which is what stopped Goodyear from ranking number one.
1. Michelin
Michelin is one of the biggest and most well-known tire brands in the world, thanks to its strong tire performance and its work outside of tires, like the Michelin Guide.
This French company started in 1889 and is also known for inventing the radial tire, which is still widely used today. Michelin makes a large number of tires, including the Defender, CrossClimate, Latitude, Pilot, Premiere, and Primacy.
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Many people are probably most interested in the CrossClimate2, the CrossClimate2 SUV, and the Primacy tires. That’s because these are some of the best options available now. The special tread shape on the CrossClimate2 and the SUV version gives them top ratings for grip.
The Primacy MXM4 ZP is the highest-rated run-flat tire on Tire Rack, and the rest of Michelin’s tires all rate from very good to excellent.
It’s hard to go wrong with Michelin, and their tires usually last a long time. If you’re not sure where to start, the CrossClimate2 is a great choice and one of their top models right now.
