Cooper CS3 Touring Tire Review & Rating
Cooper’s latest addition to their tire lineup, the CS3 Touring, is a replacement to the older GLS model and designed to provide quiet ride comfort, a longer treadlife and increased fuel efficiency due to its lower rolling resistance. Built for today’s coupes, sedans and minivans, the CS3 Touring features some of Cooper’s newest tire technology.
A new touring tread compound combines with a wider footprint to give the CS3 enhanced dry traction and handling. Cooper has incorporated its exclusive StabilEdge technology into the tire’s center and intermediate ribs. The result is quicker and more responsive steering, increased handling and cornering grip, as well as better overall stability at all speeds. These features are noticeable and a major improvement in performance over the older GLS.
Four circumferential grooves and 3D Micro Gauge Siping helps the CS3 deliver excellent traction on wet road surfaces, while also reducing the risk of hydroplaning. An added benefit to the 3D sipes is enhanced winter traction on snow or icy pavement, which is an area this tire excels in.
Cooper has created the CS3 to be more comfortable and quiet by using a newly-designed pitch sequence in the tread that virtually eliminates annoying outside road noise, something that has been mentioned in many driver reviews of this model as a real plus. While increased fuel economy was not a main focus with this tire, it features a 6% decrease in rolling resistance over the older GLS. That should translate into a little extra fuel efficiency.
Inside the tire you’ll find twin steel belts that are spirally wrapped with nylon for added durability and ride comfort. Cooper offers sizes ranging from 14 to 18 inches, and includes a 65,000 mile tread warranty. The CS3 is also available with either a T, H or V-speed rating.
Pros
- Excellent all-season traction
- Tire stability
- Quiet ride
- Long lasting treadlife
Cons
- Cornering grip for more spirited drivers
Overall Thoughts
The new Cooper CS3 Touring has several good things going for it. Traction and grip on dry, wet and even snow covered surfaces is very good. You feel confident when driving in all types of road and weather conditions. The steering is responsive and delivers excellent feel, while tire stability is a plus throughout the speed range. Our only complaint, if you really even want to call it that, is the softer sidewall which affects more spirited cornering performance, although to be fair, this isn’t billed as a sports car like high performance tire.
The CS3 is arguably one of Cooper’s most quiet and comfortable models in their lineup next to the CS5 Grand Touring. It’s among some of the best in this class when it comes to comfort. Tread life is also very good, and Cooper backs it with a 65,000 mile warranty.
Overall, this is an excellent basic touring all-season tire that ranks among the top models in this class. Highly recommended.
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What Vehicles Will The Cooper CS3 Touring Fit?
(This is not a complete list of ALL vehicles this tire will fit)
- Buick Enclave, Roadmaster
- Chevrolet Cruze, Malibu, Astro, Cavalier
- Dodge Avenger, Caravan
- Ford Fusion, Taurus
- GMC Acadia
- Honda Accord, Civic, Odyssey
- Hyundai Sonata
- Nissan Altima, Sentra
- Saturn Vue, Outlook
- Toyota Camry, Corolla, Sienna
- Volkswagen Jetta
Tire Sizes
14″
175/65R14 82T BLK
185/65R14 86H BLK
185/65R14 86T BLK
185/60R14 86H BLK
195/60R14 86H BLK
15″
185/65R15 88H BLK
185/65R15 88T BLK
195/65R15 91H BLK
195/65R15 91T BLK
205/65R15 94H BLK
205/65R15 94T BLK
215/65R15 96T BLK
185/60R15 84T BLK
195/60R15 88H BLK
195/60R15 88T BLK
205/60R15 91H BLK
205/60R15 91T BLK
16″
205/65R16 95H BLK
215/65R16 98T BLK
225/65R16 100T BLK
235/65R16 103T BLK
205/60R16 92V BLK
205/60R16 92H BLK
205/60R16 92T BLK
215/60R16 95V BLK
215/60R16 95H BLK
215/60R16 95T BLK
225/60R16 98V BLK
225/60R16 98H BLK
225/60R16 98T BLK
195/55R16 87V BLK
205/55R16 91V BLK
205/55R16 91H BLK
205/55R16 91T BLK
215/55R16/XL 97H BLK
225/55R16 95V BLK
225/55R16 95H BLK
225/50R16 92V BLK
17″
215/65R17 99T BLK
225/65R17 102T BLK
235/65R17 104T BLK
215/60R17 96T BLK
225/60R17 99T BLK
215/55R17 94V BLK
225/55R17 97H BLK
215/50R17/XL 95V BLK
225/50R17 94V BLK
18″
225/60R18 100H BLK
225/55R18 98H BLK
235/55R18 100V BLK
225/50R18 95T BLK
Price Range
CS3 Touring prices range from approximately $81 and up. You may also find occasional rebates, discount prices, coupons and special offers on this tire.
Click Here To Find The Lowest Prices On All Cooper CS3 Touring Sizes
Warranty
Cooper provides a 65,000 mile tread warranty on T-speed rated models, and a 50,000 mile warranty on H or V-speed rated tires. Tire uniformity is guaranteed for the first 2/32 inch of wear.
Materials and workmanship are covered for 5 years. You will also find a 45-day road test guarantee on this model as well. Cooper will exchange the tire for another model if you are not 100% satisfied with the tire.
Share this review
I have Cooper CS3 tires on my car for 3 years and have put over 50,000 miles on them and I have been happy. I was surprised to read some of the customer reviews. I would not have purchased them based on the reviews but since I have had good results I am looking to purchase them again. Not sure why I have no had the problems some of the other people have complained about.
I bought this tire for my Toyota Camry. After 37,000 miles (04/2018 – 11/2020), tires tread wear are currently 3/3/4/4 on four tires. They were marketed as 50,000 miles but I assume that it will last about 40,000 miles when my tire treads will become 2/2/2/2 (minimum legal limit to drive in the states).
I will not buy any tires with warranty less than 70k in the future.
These are by far the worst tread life tire I have ever owned. 12,000 mi on my Toyota Sienna and people always tell me I need tires cause they’re worn especially on both in and out edges. They looked great new.
My Cooper CS3 tires lasted exactly 20000 miles; 30000 miles less than I expected. So, for about $750 I had tires for 2 years. Currently 2 of the 4 tires have 1/32″ to wear before any consideration would be offered. Very disappointed and will not buy any Cooper tire again. By the way, CS3 is not particularly good in heavy rain.
Decent tires on dry roads,but not the best in wet. If you live in snow belt like I do in Lincoln Ne. get real snow tires these cs3 do not do well in snow or cold wet roads/
Decent tires on dry roads,but not the best in wet. If you live in snow belt like I do in Lincoln Ne. get real snow tires these cs3 do not do well in snow or cold wet roads/
Great while they lasted, but only 35k miles of life out of the CS3s on my 2002 Honda Accord. Very disappointing, and I won’t be sticking with Cooper as a result.
I purchased a set late winter…great on dry pavement but when the roads are wet, I feel like Bambi on ice with legs sliding in all directions! Was on the highway yesterday during a rain storm and spun out (only doing 52 mph in my AWD Caddy) and landed in the ditch. VERY disappointed in the performance of these expensive tires!
I purchased four Cooper Cs3’s in November 2016 which are nice and quiet with good dry traction but were never that great in rain or snow. While driving on wet pavement, I noticed right away that the tires would spin out upon acceleration and I had to learn to feather the gas pedal of my 4 cyl Accord just to maintain enough traction to safely enter an intersection.
Now at 26k miles the lack of wet road traction has become downright frightening, especially on highway off-ramps.
I Just ordered some new tires today because I cannot chance driving on these through another New Jersey winter.
Got a grand total of 25000 miles out of these tires on my Forester.
Hi Terry
That is most unfortunate. Cooper markets the CS3 Touring with a 65,000 mileage warranty. 25000 is less than half of that figure. Terry, ill ask our review team to look into this to ensure this isn’t a common issue being faced by other drivers after which we will update this review to reflect the unreliability.
These tires have zero traction and almost killed me. I had these tires installed in July so I really couldn’t gauge the traction but when it was wet the tires would spin when starting from a green light. I November we got the first snow and the car would not stay on the road. This happened 200 miles away from my home and I was totally terrified trying to get back home. Rode decent on dry pavement but terrible in snow.
Hi Greg
We’re glad that you’re still with us and hope you remained unharmed during your ordeal. I’ll speak to the team and make sure this page accurately reflects the poor performance of this tire in snow.
I just had a set put on a 2004 Toyota Matrix by Sears. Very quiet riding tires on a 4 cylinder. I live in the Pittsburgh area and we have numerous brick streets that are very slick and hills everywhere. Excellent gripping. They ride very nicely on the highway at high speed. I’ve read a lot of reviews about how they don’t corner well at high speeds.. If you want a racing tire, buy a racing tire. I’m looking forward to seeing how they are in 40,000 miles. So far, VERY HAPPY!!!!
I originally intended to get the cs4 but found they were phased out. Was talked into getting a set of these cs3s instead. Cost was a bit lower cost and have been more than happy with the decision. We see a lot of rain here and this tire has not slid or hydroplaned on me. I certainly agree with the review here on the comfort. Takes bumps and imperfections well without causing discomfort. I’ve put about 8000 miles on them and they don’t even look worn at all. Would buy again without question.
Just had these tires put on my Subaru Forester to replace the factory tires that only lasted 31k ..what a difference. They are very quiet, and a great tread pattern….