Goodyear Performance Tires

Everyone has their own list of important attributes when it comes to selecting the right all-season tire. For example, some drivers prefer longer treadlife, while another thinks ride quality is the most important. Also, when talking to customers about all-season tires, most put extra emphasis on the winter season component.

If you prefer using one set of tires all year, the best tire can vary depending on where other tire characteristics rank. In some cases, the vehicle and tire size needed can also help direct us towards a particular performance category. For a look at the differences between performance categories, read "What Tire Performance Category Do I Need?"

Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Firestone Destination LE 2

Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season (Passenger All-Season)

With three distinct tread zones targeting to provide traction in dry, wet and snowy conditions, Goodyear has a winning combination that earns top marks from our customers. Designed with Goodyear's Evolving Traction Grooves, the tire generates more rain, slush and snow traction longer into the tire's life compared to tires with conventional sipes. The tire is currently ranked number one in our tire survey results.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring (Grand Touring All-Season)

For the touring/performance car, the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring is receiving high praise from drivers. With tread warranties in the 70,000 to 80,000-mile range, this tire is definitely worth a second look. With tread depth being a key component to snow traction, customers indicate this tire has strong performance throughout the life of the tire. This Goodyear tire currently has over four million miles reported, which includes over four winter seasons.  

Firestone Destination LE 2 (Highway All-Season)

For your SUV or pick-up truck, the recently revised Firestone Destination LE 2 is king of the category. While there hasn't been many miles reported on this tire, the Destination family of tires has been providing great options to drivers for years.

Michelin and Goodyear both make very good products and offer a large selection of tires for driver's cars, trucks and SUVs.

In the Grand Touring All-Season category, Goodyear offers the Assurance ComforTred Touring while Michelin provides customers with the Primacy MXM4. As you can see below, Michelin's offering performed better in our testing. "There's not much that needs improvement" sums up how much we liked this tire during our time with it.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

• What We Liked: Responsive steering
• What We'd Improve: Wet traction
• Conclusion: A good choice for drivers wanting to blend responsive handling with good road manners
• Latest Test Rank: 3rd
• Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Michelin Primacy MXM4

• What We Liked: Excellent wet traction and good road manners
• What We'd Improve: There's not much that needs improvement
• Conclusion: A very capable Grand Touring All-Season tire
• Latest Test Rank: 1st
• Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

When it comes to Max Performance Summer tires, Michelin has the Pilot Super Sport and Goodyear designed the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2. Here again, the Michelin scored better in our tests. It is also the top-rated tire in its category. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 hasn't logged enough miles to be added to our Tire Survey Results. However, speaking to customers, many have provided a positive review of their experience with the tire. 

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

• What We Liked: Impressive traction, especially in the wet
• What We'd Improve: Sharpen steering response and handling predictability just a little bit
• Conclusion: A good option for drivers who emphasize wet traction
• Latest Test Rank: 3rd
• Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested

Michelin Pilot Super Sport

• What We Liked: Impressive ultimate handling blended with reasonable road manners
• What We'd Improve: A small improvement in ride comfort over the bigger impacts
• Conclusion: An impressive tire that continues as the performance benchmark for the category
• Latest Test Rank: 1st
• Previous Test Rank: 1st (June '11)

In the Passenger All-Season category, Goodyear's option, the Assurance TripleTred All-Season, is currently the top tire. Customers like it for its hydroplaning resistance, wet traction, dry traction and ride comfort. The tire will get a good run for its money from the newer Michelin Defender.

Both manufacturers offer great tires. Shop by vehicle to see all Goodyear and Michelin tires available for your application.

In a recent post, "Best Tire Brands for Long Treadwear", some of the longest wearing tires were discussed and how treadlife is one of the most important factors that consumers consider when deciding which tires to buy. In addition to treadlife, tire noise is a major factor to most drivers when selecting a new set of tires. Who wants to listen to the drone of a loud tire during a daily commute or road trip. Besides being a nuisance, loud tire noise can keep a driver from hearing other sounds that can affect vehicle maintenance and safety.

Tires that generally make the least amount of noise typically come from the following performance categories:

• Standard Touring All-Season
• Passenger All-Sean
• Grand Touring All-Season

Many years ago, summer tires were the quietest tires available while all-season tires were louder due to their more aggressive tread patterns. Tire technology has come a long way and the market has changed. Newer summer tires are now primarily focused on high levels of grip, handling and quick steering response, with less focus on road noise. All-season tires are now the best choice for those after a quiet ride. The following tires are some of the top picks for low road noise in three of the quietest categories:

Michelin Defender

Hankook Optimo H727

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred

Michelin Energy Saver A/S

Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus

Michelin Primacy MXV4

There are many rivalries in today's competitive world: Chevy versus Ford, Coke versus Pepsi and Burger King versus McDonald's may come to mind when thinking of two prominent companies within an industry. When it comes to tires, Goodyear and Michelin is one of the most common rivalries.

In some categories, such as the Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season, the Goodyear Assurance CS TripleTred All-Season ranks just a bit higher than Michelin's competing tire, the Latitude Tour. In other categories that include performance tires, Michelin's tires often rank higher. For example, in the Max Performance Summer category, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is on top. I was so impressed by this particular tire that I bought a set for my own car. My experiences with the tire can be found by reading, "Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires Installed on My Car." The Pilot Super Sport also picked up a win against Goodyear's Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 last summer during our testing. You can see how well the Michelin tire performed by taking a look at "Testing Max Performance Summer Tires."

Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

So, who really has the better tires? When it comes to performance tires, Michelin is tough to beat right now. However, the tire market is fast paced and new technology is constantly pushing the performance envelope further. When changes are made, you can always count on us to provide you with the best tire options for your vehicle.

Is it time to replace the tires on your Honda Odyssey? If so, consider the following all-season options for your minivan. My favorite tire for this vehicle continues to be the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. This tire certainly lives up to its name. It's a premium Grand Touring All-Season tire that provides excellent ride qualities, including superior comfort and low tread noise. In addition to a great ride, the tire offers fantastic all-season traction and long treadwear with a 70,000- or 80,000-mile treadlife warranty depending on speed rating.

Another great option for the Odyssey is the Michelin Defender. Although it is only made in the 235/65R16 size for this van, it's still a very popular choice. The Defender is currently the top-ranked Standard Touring All-Season tire in our customer survey results. This tire also has superior all-season traction and comes with a 90,000-mile treadlife warranty. Designed to help enhance fuel efficiency, Defender tires meet Michelin's Green-X low rolling resistance objectives.

Finally, the Firestone Precision Touring is a good value priced option for Odyssey owners. This tire performed very well in our testing with good grades in wet traction and stable handling. Customers really enjoy the tire, as it sits is second place in its category, only behind the aforementioned Michelin Defender.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Michelin Defender

Firestone Precision Touring

To view all tire options for your Honda Odyssey, shop by vehicle.

Since 2005, the primary size found on the Honda Odyssey has been 235/65R16. Due to the overall size ,weight and higher center of gravity than a car, the Odyssey's tire wear can be disappointing to some. The following popular options can help deliver better performance, ride quality and longevity than the Original Equipment.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Continental Cross Contact LX20 with EcoPlusTechnology

Michelin Defender

Goodyear's Assurance ComforTred Touring has been a favorite with our customers for a few years. Sitting solidly in third place in the Grand Touring All-Season category, the tire carries an 80,000-mile treadlife warranty. The Assurance ComforTred Touring features a mildly asymmetric tread design that combines indepedent shoulder blocks with notched intermediate ribs to blend dry and wet road traction and handling. Four circumferential grooves evacuate water from under the tread to enhance wet traction while the grooves, notches and sipes form biting edges to deliver all-season traction in light snow.

"I have had these Goodyear tires on my van for 31,000 miles now (90,000 currently), have balanced them every 5,000 miles and they are in excellent condition! No cupping, no road noise, plenty of treadlife left!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2007 Honda Odyssey

The Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology is a newer entry to the market that quickly became a best seller. Designed to enhance driving pleasure, save fuel and maintain grip when braking on wet surfaces, this Continental tire provides long wear and all-season traction.

"I drive the family van quite hard and the grip and handling of these Continentals is far better than the O.E. Michelins." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2010 Honda Odyssey

Michelin's Defender is the latest high mileage tire entry from the manufacturer and carries a 90,000-mile treadlife warranty. Currently ranked number one in its category by our customers, it appears Michelin has hit another home run with this offering. Defender tires enhance vehicle fuel economy by meeting Michelin's Green-X low rolling resistance objectives.

"This is the best tire I have ever purchased. Hands down!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2006 Honda Odyssey

Two of the most recognizable and respected brands in the industry are Michelin and Goodyear. Both brands have their fans, both brands have their detractors, but ask any sampling of people in the United States to name a couple of tire brands and Goodyear and Michelin will probably dominate the responses. A common question that we receive is: "Which brand is better?" The answer depends on the tire category and the specific needs of the driver, but I'll try to give an overview by comparing the top tires from each brand by category. This comparison focuses on categories for cars.

Category: Passenger All-Season

Contenders: Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season vs. Michelin Energy Saver A/S

Verdict: The Goodyear has the advantage in bad weather traction. Michelin's Energy Saver A/S optimizes rolling resistance to slightly enhance fuel economy. Both have very good treadwear and rate well in our customer surveys, but the Goodyear is currently higher. Two strong contenders, however the Goodyear wins with superior traction in bad weather.

Category: Standard Touring All-Season

Contenders: Goodyear (none) vs. Michelin Defender

Verdict: No contest here as Michelin has the number one tire in the class and Goodyear has no entry. Michelin wins by default. Goodyear would need a heroic new entry to unseat the current king of this class.

Category: Grand Touring All-Season

Contenders: Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring vs. Michelin Primacy MXV4

Verdict: These two tires are both excellent entries into the category. I've driven both of these and prefer the Michelin, which also has slightly higher survey results over a larger number of miles. This round goes to Michelin.

Category: High Performance All-Season

Contenders: Goodyear Eagle GT vs. Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S

Verdict: The Eagle GT is solid but the Pilot Exalto A/S remains one of the best all-around tires in the category. It blends ride, handling and traction in a wide variety of conditions. The Pilot Exalto A/S takes this round for Michelin as well.

Category: Ultra High Performance All-Season

Contenders: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season vs. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus

Verdict: These tires are both right in the top tier of the category. We have not tested them directly against one another, and the Goodyear is relatively new. Both earned similar results against other tires in the category in tests one year apart. This one is too close to call.

Category: Max Performance Summer

Contenders: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 vs. Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Verdict: This is an excellent match-up of two of the newest and stickiest tires in the Max Performance Summer category. The Michelin won their head-to-head test, and having done some of the driving for the test, I agree with the results. Honorable mention to the Goodyear, which is an excellent tire in its own right, but the Pilot Super Sport is the class of the field right now.

Category: Extreme Performance Summer

Contenders: Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G: 2 vs. Michelin (none)

Verdict: Goodyear makes the Supercar G: 2 in very few sizes, but does enough to take the category unopposed. Any tire that looks this cool merits some points in a brand shoot by virtue of the halo effect it brings to the brand:

Roundup:

• Goodyear wins two categories: Passenger All-Season and Extreme Performance Summer.
• Michelin wins four categories: Standard Touring All-Season, Grand Touring All-Season, High Performance All Season and Max Performance Summer.

Whether you're a Goodyear or Michelin fan, both brands provide great options. Choose the tire from the brand you like that best suits how and where you drive.