Top 13 tire manufacturers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

One of the most important elements of a car that affects driving safety is the tires. Choosing the right car rubber not only contributes to driving safety. Driving comfort is improved, fuel consumption is reduced and the service interval is extended. There is an abundance of tires in the domestic car market. All well-known tire concerns have arranged product supplies to Russia. A rich assortment makes it difficult to choose, the recommendations of our experts will come to the aid of motorists.

How to choose the right car tires

Landing diameter. Experts advise starting the selection of tires with the landing diameter. It must match the diameter of the rim on which the tire will be mounted. In the marking, this indicator is indicated in inches after the letter R. The most popular rim diameters in cars are in the range R13-R17.

Seasonality. Seasonality is the next important tire parameter. The motorist is offered summer, winter and all-season tires. Experts believe that it is best to have a set of winter and summer tires, although the purchase of an all-season is more economically profitable. A snowflake or a combination of letters M and S (M + S, M.S) must be present in the designation of winter tires.

Tread pattern. Some users do not focus on the type of tread, which can lead to minor problems later. According to the structure of the pattern, a symmetrical and asymmetrical protector is distinguished, moreover, it can be directional or non-directional. The most popular because of the affordable price are symmetrical non-directional tires. But if you start from the technical parameters, then it is better to give preference to a directional protector. This type of tire is best at draining water from the contact patch. The asymmetrical tread offers excellent water drainage and excellent directional stability. However, you can rearrange wheels with an asymmetric directional pattern only on one side of the car (front to back or vice versa).

Tire width. The first numerical index in the marking indicates the width of the tire in millimeters. For each rim, several standard sizes are allowed. It is important to consider the following points here.

1. The wide tire forms a large area of ​​contact with the road surface. Consequently, the grip of the wider tires will be better.
2. But narrow modifications gain in weight, which has a positive effect on fuel consumption.
3. The narrower the tire, the less it undergoes aquaplaning. In addition, the narrow tire has better flotation when driving on snowy roads.

Profile height. One of the most confusing characteristics of a car tire is its section height. It is indicated in the marking after the “/” sign. The number indicates the ratio of the profile height (in mm) to the width (in mm), expressed as a percentage. For example, in marking 185/70, the tire width is 185 mm, and to calculate the profile height in mm, divide 185 by 100 and multiply by 70. You get 129.5 mm.

1. High profile tires provide the driver with maximum ride comfort and are puncture resistant.
2. Low profile tires provide excellent handling. These models are worth buying if you often have to travel on good asphalt roads.
3. The wider the tire width (with the same diameter and profile height), the greater the height in mm.

Load index. Each tire has a maximum load limit. It is indicated in the marking with a number that follows the bore diameter. To find out the permissible load in kilograms, you will have to look into a special conversion table. For example, the number 88 indicates a maximum load of 560 kg.

Speed ​​index. Tires have a speed limit. To designate this parameter, a letter classification is adopted. It will also be possible to convert to traditional km / h using the table. So, letter H corresponds to a maximum speed of 210 km / h.

We have selected 13 best car tire brands for our review. All of them sell their products on the Russian market. When allocating seats, the opinion of the expert community and the reviews of domestic motorists were taken into account.

Rating of the best tire brands

Nomination	a place	Name of product	rating
Rating of the best tire brands	1	Michelin	5.0
	2	Goodyear	4.9
	3	Pirelli	4.8
	4	Hankook	4.7
	5	Continental	4.6
	6	Nokian	4.5
	7	Yokohama	4.4
	8	Bridgestone	4.3
	9	Cooper	4.2
	10	TOYO	4.1
	11	Sumitomo	4.0
	12	Nitto	3.9
	13	Sava	3.8

Michelin

Rating: 5.0

The French Michelin concern boasts a glorious hundred-year history. Since the founding of the brand, employees have paid the utmost attention to research work. For example, Michelin is considered the first developer of pneumatic wheels. And today, designers, together with engineers and chemists, are trying to implement new ideas. One of them is the replacement of carbon black with silicon. EverGrip technology has increased the wear resistance of the tire, while maintaining its basic parameters. The brand's products are designed for both passenger cars and commercial and freight vehicles, special equipment and electric cars.

Experts appreciated the prospecting efforts of the manufacturer, giving him the laurels of the winner of our rating. Users are only dissatisfied with the high price of tires.

Advantages

• development of new tires;
• high quality;
• a wide range of;
• innovative technologies.

disadvantages

• high price.

Goodyear

Rating: 4.9

The leading manufacturer of automobile tires in the world is the American company Goodyear. There are many glorious pages in the brand's centuries-old history. It was on Goodyear wheels that the first Ford car drove off. Since then, the search for new technologies has not stopped for a minute. The head office of the corporation is still located in Akron, where it was built in 1898. The assortment is diverse, you can choose tires both for owners of cars and for managers of large carriers.

Domestic users speak flatteringly about summer tires. It does not make noise, behaves well on slippery roads, there are no problems with balancing during tire fitting. Only on deep potholes the tires give up, “hernias” appear on them, after which the tire has to be changed.

Advantages

• innovative developments;
• centuries-old traditions;
• advanced equipment;
• noiselessness.

disadvantages

• tires are afraid of strong bumps.

Pirelli

Rating: 4.8

Italian car tire manufacturer Pirelli has focused on the production of products for racing cars. And the company succeeded in this. The company was founded in 1872 when the young Giovani Pirelli acquired a small Milan rubber factory. The brand is currently owned by the Chinese chemical concern ChemChina, although the head office remains in Milan. The manufacturer is not limited only to tire products for racing cars, the range includes tires for ordinary cars, motorcycles and bicycles. This is what the experts drew attention to, giving the brand a prize in our rating.

Users noticed only one flaw in the Pirelli tires. They are not sufficiently resistant to strong impacts on potholes, which is why “hernias” appear.

Advantages

• sports bias;
• noiselessness;
• good car handling;
• wide range of products.

disadvantages

• low impact resistance.

Hankook

Rating: 4.7

The tires of the South Korean company Hankook are in steady demand among Russian motorists. This brand appeared in 1941, having gone the hard way from a small enterprise to an international concern. Most recently (2017), a plant was inaugurated in the American city of Tennessee. But the manufacturer not only builds production sites; great attention is paid to research work. Experts point out several advantages of South Korean rubber, due to which the brand occupies a leading position in the world. These are wear resistance, elasticity and durability.

Domestic car owners appreciate the availability of tires with decent quality. Among the shortcomings, bad behavior on the wet road is often mentioned, so the brand does not make it to the top three of our ranking.

Advantages

• wear resistance;
• elasticity;
• affordable price;
• durability.

disadvantages

• tires do not behave well on wet roads.

Continental

Rating: 4.6

The German concern Continental occupies a leading position in the global tire market. The annual production volume amazes even experts, more than 90 million tires leave the conveyors of production sites. The brand is the official supplier of tires to the largest car factories in Germany, the USA and Japan. The manufacturer constantly tests and tests its products, comes up with new designs. Therefore, Continental tires outperform their competitors in such categories as braking distances and handling in different road conditions.

Russian motorists praise German tires for their quietness, high quality, and excellent grip on the road. The main disadvantage that influenced the position in the ranking is the high price.

Advantages

• German quality;
• innovativeness of developments;
• excellent grip;
• noiselessness.

disadvantages

• high price.

Nokian

Rating: 4.5

The northern regions are home to the Finnish tire company Nokian. The oldest tire manufacturer in Europe began operations in 1898. The company created the world's first winter truck tire. The plant has been operating in Russia since 2005, which made it possible to reduce the price of premium tires. About 14 million tires of the highest quality come off the factory conveyors annually. According to the German magazine Focus Money, the Finnish brand produced the best car tire in 2018. Experts point out such strengths of the manufacturer as good cross-country ability and stability on slippery and wet roads.

Car owners are satisfied with low noise, good stability, and ease of balancing. The sixth place in the ranking is due to the high price and fragility.

Advantages

• high quality;
• low noise;
• stability on slippery and wet roads;
• softness.

disadvantages

• high price;
• fragility.

Yokohama

Rating: 4.4

It is symbolic that the Japanese company is one of the seven largest tire manufacturers, occupying the same seventh position in our rating. The company was founded in 1917 through the merger of Japanese and American enterprises. The brand got its name in honor of the city where the cooperation agreement was signed. The first tires were produced only in 1930, and it was this direction that became a priority for the company. The brand tests its products at sporting events. As a result of the tests, tires are supplied to the conveyors of auto giants such as Mercedes Benz, Porsche and Toyota.

Russian car owners appreciate Japanese tires for their good grip, softness, and optimal price-quality ratio. The disadvantages include the loss of spikes and thin sidewalls.

Advantages

• good grip;
• value for money;
• durability;
• wear resistance.

disadvantages

• thin sidewalls;
• thorns fall out.

Bridgestone

Rating: 4.3

Another Japanese car tire manufacturer made it to our ranking. Bridgestone pays maximum attention to product quality in its work. The brand has adhered to this position since its foundation (1931). Today rubber is sold all over the world, the American company Firestone has become the largest subsidiary of the company. Among the partners of the concern are the famous car factories Ford and Volkswagen. The company has many prestigious awards that have been received for an innovative approach and high technology.

As for the opinion of domestic motorists, they refer to the advantages of the brand as an acceptable price, decent quality, resistance to bumps. The weak points of the tires are noise, stiffness and not the best grip on the road.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• good quality;
• strong sides;
• wear resistance.

disadvantages

• rigidity;
• the tires are not suitable for off-road driving.

Cooper

Rating: 4.2

Over a century and a half history, the American concern Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has accumulated rich experience. Tires under the Avon, Cooper, Dean, Mastercraft, Roadmaster and Starfire brands are supplied to different countries of the world. The company was included in the honorable list of “101 Best Firms in the USA”. Experts highly appreciated the affordable price of rubber and durability (more than 100 thousand km of run), for which the brand gets into our rating. The manufacturer has its own test facility in Texas. The catalog contains a wide range of tires for cars and trucks.

The American tires received special praise from Russian SUV owners. They praise rubber for quality, affordable price, high cross-country ability, durability. The disadvantages of users include noise, lack of tires in stores in the country.

Advantages

• high quality;
• affordable prices;
• durability;
• good cross-country ability.

disadvantages

• noisiness;
• shortage in stores.

TOYO

Rating: 4.1

The history of the TOYO brand began at the end of World War II. At this time, two Japanese manufacturers of rubber products merged. The company has won the respect of car owners around the world. Many experts cite product quality as an example. The brand is included in our rating for precise car handling, quietness on the road, stable and predictable behavior at any speed. Automobile manufacturers such as Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Audi initially complete their cars with TOYO rubber.

Domestic motorists like Japanese tires for their durability, ride comfort, good grip when cornering. The disadvantages include a high price, uncertain movement in a rut and a modest assortment in Russian stores.

Advantages

• elasticity;
• good grip;
• wear resistance;
• high quality.

disadvantages

• tires do not like track;
• high price.

Sumitomo

Rating: 4.0

Sumitomo is one of the three largest tire companies in Japan in terms of production. The brand is closely associated with the British concern Dunlop. With the help of Europeans, the first Japanese plant for the production of tires and tubes was built in 1909. And already in 1984 Sumitomo acquired a controlling stake in a British company and took control of it. In 2018 alone, the Japanese concern built large factories in Brazil (capacity of 15 thousand tires per day), South Africa (12.5 thousand tires) and Slovenia (rubber products for medicine).

The rather low place of the brand in our rating is explained by reviews from car owners. The first minus is a lot of weight, which negatively affects the dynamics of acceleration and handling. The second drawback is the demolition of the car when cornering at speed.

Advantages

• high quality;
• elasticity;
• original protector;
• excellent balancing.

disadvantages

• heavy weight;
• car demolition at bends.

Nitto

Rating: 3.9

The Japanese brand Nitto has been around since 1949. Today it is part of the Toyo tire company. The company's catalog contains tires for passenger cars and SUVs. Experts believe that a distinctive feature of rubber is the originality of the tread pattern. Nitto tires are in high demand in the American market. The brand came to Russia recently (end of 2015), but already domestic motorists managed to appreciate all the advantages of its products.

The excellent road grip, both on dry and wet asphalt, deserves special praise. Attracts potential buyers and affordable price. As for the shortcomings, while the choice of rubber is not too large, the tires also do not behave in the best way in an aggressive driving style.

Advantages

• good quality;
• excellent grip;
• affordable price;
• original tread pattern.

disadvantages

• a modest assortment in Russian stores;
• erratic behavior when driving abruptly.

Sava

Rating: 3.8

The history of the Slovenian company dates back to 1931. Today the brand belongs to the transnational concern GoodYear. Therefore, all new models for Sava are developed by the designers of the parent company. The parent company took care of the technical re-equipment of the branch. The production site is located in the small town of Kranj, through which the Sava River flows. The annual production volume is 6 million tires, which are supplied to different countries of the world. The brand is included in our rating for modernity, high technology and affordable price.

Russian motorists like Slovenian rubber for its affordability, softness, good cross-country ability and high-quality manufacturing. The brand needs to work on noise reduction, directional stability, weight reduction.

Advantages

• high quality;
• modern design;
• affordable price;
• elasticity.

disadvantages

• heavy weight;
• noisiness.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.