Consumer Reports Ranks This Tire Brand Lowest in Owner Satisfaction
Tires are a vital safety component for every vehicle, linking the car directly to the road. A recent study by Consumer Reports (CR) has highlighted significant differences in owner satisfaction among various tire brands. This evaluation examined all-season, all-terrain, winter/snow, and summer tires, revealing some brands fell short of consumer expectations.
Sumitomo Tires: The Lowest in Owner Satisfaction
In the latest CR study, Sumitomo tires ranked the lowest overall in owner satisfaction. It finished at the bottom in two categories: all-terrain and summer tires. Additionally, it placed second-to-last in both the all-season and winter/snow categories. Key performance areas for consumers, such as handling, wet road grip, and durability, were disappointing.
Poor Performance Across Categories
- Sumitomo tires tend to wear out faster than others.
- Top-scoring Sumitomo tires included:
- HTR A/S P03 (all-season)
- HTR Z5 (summer)
- Ice Edge (winter)
- Encounter HT2 (all-season SUV)
All four rated tires received low scores for owner satisfaction, indicating significant consumer dissatisfaction with the brand.
Other Poor Performers
Sumitomo was not the sole brand suffering low ratings in the CR survey. Dunlop, owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industries since a 2025 acquisition, also performed poorly across all categories. GT Radial joined Sumitomo and Dunlop in receiving the lowest score in all four tire segments.
Notable Mentions in the Report
- Uniroyal, a Michelin subsidiary, ranked at the bottom in both all-season and winter categories.
- Other brands with poor scores included:
- Ironman
- Mastercraft
- Sailun
- Kelly and Hercules received low ratings in three categories: all-season, all-terrain, and winter-snow.
Top Brands for Owner Satisfaction
Despite the poor ratings for some brands, several emerged as winners in tire satisfaction. Michelin topped the all-season and all-terrain segments, while Bridgestone, Michelin, Nokian, and Vredestein led the winter-snow category. Michelin also performed exceptionally well in the summer segment, solidifying its reputation as a top brand.
Conclusion
Consumer Reports’ tire survey underscores the importance of selecting quality tires. For consumers prioritizing safety and performance, sticking to reputable brands like Michelin and Bridgestone may lead to greater satisfaction.
