Consumer Reports Releases Best Family Car All-Season Tires For 2015
Every year, Consumer Reports performs longer-term tests on various makes/models of new tires, and they have just completed the testing on 47 new all-season passenger car tires, as well as another 21 winter tires. So, are there any surprises in their latest test results?
We’d have to say no, not really. Once again the usual top tire makers dominate the results. Those being Pirelli, Continental and Michelin in the all-season tire results, and Michelin and Nokian standing on the podium for the best snow/winter tires.
The biggest focus in this year’s testing was related to tread wear and ride comfort, especially with the all-season models.
Michelin came out on top or tied at the top in the three categories. Pirelli and Continental tied for two categories.
Here’s a look at Consumer Reports results:
All-Season (T-speed rated)
1. Michelin Defender
2. Continental TrueContact
3. General Altimax RT43
4. Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus
The Defender got an excellent rating only in noise/comfort and a “very good” in another five categories. Its treadlife warranty was 90,000 miles (second highest). Pirelli came top with a 100,000 mile warranty.
Performance All-Season (H-rated)
1. Continental PureContact
1. Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus
1. Michelin Premier A/S
4. 3-way tie
The three tires had the same number of points. However, CR recommended only the Premier A/S and the Cinturato P7, despite the PureContact having 8 of the 9 ratings. Not really sure why, but could be due to the “fair” rating for ice breaking. Of the 15 tested tires, none did better than “good” on ice surface test results, which is not surprising for most any all-season tire.
Pirelli had an excellent response in low rolling resistance receiving a 5 “verygood”. All other tires received a “good” rating.
Tread wear standings, along with mileage warranty:
Michelin – 85000 miles.
Pirelli — 70000 miles.
Continental – 55000 miles.
CR looks at good weather performance and long tread life when determining these recommendations.
Fourth place had three equal tires:
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
General Altimax RT43
Nokian Entyre 2.0
Performance All-Season (V-rated)
1. Continental PureContact
1. Michelin Premier A/S
1. Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus
4. General Altimax RT43
Three tires are listed in the top spot. Results were similar to the H-speed rated tires. The comparative price of three of the four best tires was higher in H compared to V. However, the PureContact (V-rated) tire was cheaper than the H tire. Warranties for the Pirelli and Michelin were lower by 5000 miles each. The PureContact tire warrant remained the same.
Winter Tires
Two of the best tires that Consumer Reports chose as the best in class are the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 and the Michelin X-Ice X13. In addition, they mention that Bridgestone’s Blizzak WS80 also offers great traction in the winter, which matches up with what we found in our own review of this tire.
You can read our reviews on all of these tires, as well as our own rankings in each of these tire classes, right here on our site.
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