Consumer Reports has released the results from their latest tire testing program.
In the performance all-season category (which describes most H and V-rated touring tires), the top tires were:
Continental PureContact
Michelin Premier A/S
Pirelli P7 A/S Plus
All three tires tied for the top-score of 70. From a performance standpoint, there were some minor differences between the three, but all three performed similarly. The BITOG favorite General Altimax RT43 performed nearly as well as the top-3 tires, and scored 68.
Between those four tires, the Michelin Premier A/S was the only tire that exceeded its advertised treadwear claim; the H-rated version of the Premier A/S is projected to last 85k miles based on testing results, while the V-rated version is projected to last 80k. Both versions of the Premier A/S are advertised with a 60k treadwear warranty. So clearly, the fears about the 8.5/32" starting tread depth being inadequate...is unfounded.
For the all-season category (S and T-rated version) tires, the top tires were:
Michelin Defender
Continental TrueContact
General RT43
Pirelli P4 Plus
Again, the performance was fairly similar between the four tires. From a treadlife standpoint, the Michelin Defender and the Pirelli P4 Plus were the only two tires that met or exceeded their advertised treadlife.
Note: Consumer Reports modified their treadlife testing methodology, and more info about the change is described in this article: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/09/the-truth-about-tire-treadwear/index.htm
In summary, you can't go wrong with any of the "top-rated" tires from their test. There are some differences in treadlife, but you'll have to decide if the additional treadlife of the Michelins is enough to warrant their premium.
In the performance all-season category (which describes most H and V-rated touring tires), the top tires were:
Continental PureContact
Michelin Premier A/S
Pirelli P7 A/S Plus
All three tires tied for the top-score of 70. From a performance standpoint, there were some minor differences between the three, but all three performed similarly. The BITOG favorite General Altimax RT43 performed nearly as well as the top-3 tires, and scored 68.
Between those four tires, the Michelin Premier A/S was the only tire that exceeded its advertised treadwear claim; the H-rated version of the Premier A/S is projected to last 85k miles based on testing results, while the V-rated version is projected to last 80k. Both versions of the Premier A/S are advertised with a 60k treadwear warranty. So clearly, the fears about the 8.5/32" starting tread depth being inadequate...is unfounded.
For the all-season category (S and T-rated version) tires, the top tires were:
Michelin Defender
Continental TrueContact
General RT43
Pirelli P4 Plus
Again, the performance was fairly similar between the four tires. From a treadlife standpoint, the Michelin Defender and the Pirelli P4 Plus were the only two tires that met or exceeded their advertised treadlife.
Note: Consumer Reports modified their treadlife testing methodology, and more info about the change is described in this article: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/09/the-truth-about-tire-treadwear/index.htm
In summary, you can't go wrong with any of the "top-rated" tires from their test. There are some differences in treadlife, but you'll have to decide if the additional treadlife of the Michelins is enough to warrant their premium.
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