Michelin swept the top spots in all four categories of Consumer Reports’ annual test of all-season and winter tires.
Presented in CR’s November 2009 issue, the independent testing considers a range of performance characteristics, including dry braking, wet braking, handling, hydroplaning resistance, snow traction, ice braking, ride comfort, road noise, rolling resistance and tread life.
The testing considered four tire types: standard all-season tires, performance all-season tires, UHP all-season tires and pure winter tires.
In the standard all-season category, the Michelin HydroEdge received an overall score of 84, followed by Hankook Optimo H727 (82), Pirelli P4 Four Seasons (80), Goodyear Assurance TripleTred (80), Pirelli Cinturato P5 (78), Kumho Solus KR21 (78), Maxxis Escapade MA-T1 (76), Toyo Extensa A/S (76), Toyo Versado LX (76), and the BFGoodrich Traction T/A (74). The Michelin, Hankook and Goodyear tires received CR’s “recommended” status.
The performance all-season tire category was topped by the Michelin Primacy MXV4 with an overall rating of 84, followed by Falken Ziex ZE912 (80), Nokian WR G2 (80), Yokohama Avid H4s (78), Kuhmo Solus KH16 (76), Continental ContiProContact (76), Cooper CS4 Touring (72), and the General Altimax HP (70). The Michelin and Nokian tires received CR’s “recommended” status.
The Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S topped the UHP all-season category with an overall score of 84, followed by Firestone Firehawk GTv (82), Bridgestone Turanza Serenity (80), Dunlop Signature (80), Toyo Versado LX (78), General Altimax HP (78), Yokohama Avid V4s (76), Continental ContiPRoContact (76), Goodyear Eagle GT (76), and the Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid (74). The Michelin and Dunlop tires received CR’s “recommended” label.
The winter tire category was topped by the Michelin X-Ice XI2 with an overall score of 84, followed by General Altimax Arctic (78), Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 (78), Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 (76), Nokian Hakkapeliitta R (74), Continental ExtremeWinterContact (74), Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 (72), Pirelli Sottozero 210 Series II (70), Dunlop Graspic DS-2 (70), and the Hankook Winter i-Pike (70). Receiving “recommended” status from CR were the top three entries Michelin, General and Nokian.