Best Tire Brands of 2024

Consumer Reports’ test results reveal which companies make the best-performing tires

By Jeff S. Bartlett

Updated January 17, 2024

Photo: Getty Images

There are significant performance differences among tire brands and models, particularly in grip and tread life, based on Consumer Reports’ extensive tire testing. 

“The best tires shine for impressive braking, handling, and hydroplaning resistance. For all-season and winter tires, snow traction and stopping on ice are important in our scores,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, Consumer Reports’ tire program manager. “And the best brands are those whose tires consistently shine in those areas.”

To steer you in the right direction when choosing replacement tires, we analyzed the tire test results of more than 130 models across 28 brands, and then we created a brand rating for the 17 brands from which we have tested four or more models. The final result is a ranking of the leading brands, based on their average Overall Score for the tested tires. 

Gordon Gingras, automotive engineer at Consumer Reports, adds that top brands can be a great place for shoppers to start, but he recommends checking with the specific tire ratings for the category because they reveal not only the best-performing model but also the better values.

The tires we test come from these categories: all-season and performance all-season car tires; ultra-high-performance (UHP) all-season and UHP summer tires; all-season SUV tires; all-season and all-terrain truck tires; winter/snow car and truck tires; and performance winter/snow tires.

Below, we spotlight the top four brands and list recommended tires from each, across all the categories we test.

How We Test Tires

Our tests measure performance in braking, comfort, handling, hydroplaning (when water gets between the tire and the pavement), noise, snow traction, and other important areas. We test braking on ice at a local skating rink (shown below), and an outside lab assesses the rolling resistance of tires, which affects fuel economy. Plus, we evaluate tread life by driving thousands of miles on a road course in western Texas and use that information to predict tread life.

Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports

Combined, this extensive information can help you find the best tires from 28 tested brands, including BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Falken, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Nexen, Nitto, Nokian, Pirelli, Toyo, Uniroyal, Vredestein, and Yokohama.

A tire must excel at performance and safety in our tests to earn a Consumer Reports recommendation, a distinction noted in our dynamic ratings chart.

Tire Brand Report Card

2024 Consumer Reports. All rights reserved.

No. 1: Michelin. Score: 72

Michelin is at or near the top of most tire categories we test. Typically, Michelin models offer a good mix of grip, handling, and long tread life. And even though Michelins are often among the most expensive models, they tend to be a good value when factoring in performance and tread life. All seven tested models earn a CR recommendation. A standout model is the Michelin CrossClimate2, an all-weather tire that provides winter traction without needing to be removed when snow season ends. It is in the All-Season SUV category, but it is also suitable for cars. Other top-rated Michelin tires include the Defender T+H all-season tire and the Pilot Sport All-Season 4 ultra-high-performance tire.

Michelin Defender T+H
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports

Recommended Michelin Tires

• All-season: Defender T+H
• Performance winter/snow: Pilot Alpin PA4
• SUV all-season: CrossClimate2
• UHP summer: Pilot Sport 4s
• UHP all-season: Pilot Sport Al-Season 4
• Truck all-terrain: LTX A/T 2
• Winter/snow: X-Ice Snow

No. 2: Continental. Score: 68

Continental tires often rank among the best, but not always, underscoring the value of checking the ratings for specific models. Seven of the eight tested Continentals earn a CR recommendation. The TrueContact Tour all-season tire is the exception. The brand is particularly strong in truck tires, with the TerrainContact H/T being our top all-season truck tire and the TerrainContact A/T being the highest-rated all-terrain truck tire.

Continental TerrainContact H/T
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports

Recommended Continental Tires

• SUV all-season: CrossContact LX25
• Performance all-season: PureContact LS
• UHP all-season: ExtremeContact DWS 06 plus
• UHP summer: ExtremeContact Sport 02
• Truck all-season: TerrainContact H/T
• Truck all-terrain: TerrainContact A/T
• Winter/snow: VikingContact 7

No. 3: Vredestein. Score: 67

The name may not be familiar to many U.S. shoppers, but Vredestein is among the oldest tire manufacturers. The European company has been building tires for more than a century. All six tested models are recommended. Of particular note, the Wintrac Pro is a top-rated performance winter/snow tire for sporty vehicles, and the HiTrac is the second-rated all-season SUV. 

Vredestein HiTrac
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports

Recommended Continental Tires

• Performance all-season: Quatrac Pro
• SUV all-season: HiTrac
• Truck all-season: Pinza HT
• UHP all-season: HyperTrac All Season
• Truck all-terrain: Pinza AT
• Performance winter/snow: Wintrac Pro

No. 4: General. Score: 67

Founded in 1915, General Tire is now a division of Continental AG. In our tests, the brand has become synonymous with value, as General models are typically stronger performers that deliver good value. We recommend six of the seven tested tires from General, with the exception being the G-Max AS-05—a UHP all-season tire. A couple of stars are the Altimax RT43 all-season and Altimax 365 AW performance all-season. Both tires are among the tops in their category, yet priced well below the leaders. 

General Altimax 365 AW
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports

Recommended General Tires

• All-season: Altimax RT43
• Performance all-season: Altimax 365 AW
• Truck all-season: Grabber HTS60
• UHP summer: G-Max RS
• Truck winter/snow: Grabber Arctic
• Winter/snow: Altimax Arctic 12

Before choosing a replacement tire, be sure to check its performance in CR’s ratings. We can tell you how it compares with its rivals in braking, comfort, handling, hydroplaning resistance, noise, and snow traction.

Tire Testing on Ice

Tires play a big role in how your car performs in winter weather. On the “Consumer 101” TV show, Consumer Reports’ experts demonstrate to host Jack Rico how CR tests tires for icy conditions.