We all know that tires are important, after all, they are the only piece of your vehicle that is in contact with the road. Some of us, however may not know where to begin in terms of choice.
What is best for my car? What is best for where I live or the roads I drive?
BEST OF THE BEST Michelin Pilot Sport A3 Michelin Check Price | BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK Michelin Defender Michelin Check Price | RUNNER UP AVID Ascend Radial Yokohama Check Price |
These are a potential minefield of questions which can prove challenging and time consuming to the everyday motorist. We have now made this choice a lot easier with our Best All Season Tires for 2020 list.
10 Best all-season Tires
Michelin Pilot Sport A3
Michelin has a proud history and is widely known and respected when it comes to tire Manufacturing. Their Pilot Series comes with the best UTQG rating which gives the tire superb grip on asphalt and concrete. The wide circumferential grooves and 3-D sipes assist in aquaplane prevention, giving this tire superior grip in the wet.
The combination of wet road gripping power and dry road grip heat wear protection ensures all round performance regardless the weather conditions. This tire has a tread life warranty of 45,000 miles and a uniformity warranty of 1 year. The 760 revolutions per mile assist in prolonging the life of the tires while keeping traction and performance a premium.
The tire includes a couple of high-density, durable steel belts which further assist with tread life.
A Helio-plus tread compound to reduce light snow’s effects and increases traction while a variable contact patch assists with pressure while cornering. These High-performance tires are perfect for sedans and sports cars owners looking for superior handling. However, this does come at a cost as potholes and bumps in the road may be more noticeable.
Key Features
- Perfect for sports cars or sedans
- UTQG of 500 AA A
- Asymmetric tread pattern provides high levels of lateral grip and ulterior control at high speeds
Pros
- Little to no hydroplaning
- Long tread life warranty which is close to the actual tread life wear period
- The asymmetric tread pattern provides good grip and control
- Good traction in light snow
- Warranty and close to actual tread life wear period
Cons
- Difficult to balance
- Tires can get loud after some use
- Not cold weather compliant
Michelin Defender
The Michelin Defender is a popular tire which focuses on the safety and protection of passengers. This reliable tire is equipped with an impressive 90,000 mile tread life warranty and a uniformity warranty of 1 year.
This alone may be a reason for purchase and many a family car or minivan driver to whom this tire is designed for will appreciate the durability. The tire contains Michelin’s IntelliSipe Technology. This provides hundreds of carefully positioned, additional sipes.
This increases the rigidity of the tread block to reduce starting tread depth which lowers the rolling resistance, causing a saving in fuel and enhanced wear life.
These additional sipes also enhance breaking capabilities along with the asymmetric tread pattern designed by silica-based all-season mould. lateral and circumferential grooves help disperse water between the tires and the surface which lowers the possibility of aquaplaning.
The tires corner well with minimum noise and are fairly responsive to sharp turns thanks to the hardness of the compound. One must note that after 20,000 miles the tire does become noticeably more noisy and despite their all season tag, barely gets the job done in deep slowness and struggles in light snow and slush.
Key features
- IntelliSipe design improves overall and breaking
- IntelliSipe design and Green X technology increase fuel economy
- MaxTouch Construction provides added strength and durability at all speeds
Pros
- Great Warranty
- They wear evenly which eliminates the need for rebalancing
- Responsive handling in dry conditions
Cons
- Performance in wet conditions and snow is sub-par
- Struggle in Slush
- Hard Rubber of the tire decreases comfort
Yokohama AVID Ascend Radial Tire
The Yokohama AVID Ascend Radial Tire is a tire designed specifically for your sedan or coupe. This tire offers good traction in almost every kind of weather condition and like most Yokohama tires, offers improved fuel consumption.
One can expect an improvement of up to 2 miles per gallon. The model has a UTQG rating of 740 AA which makes the tire, despite its small size, particularly durable. The 6 inch rim can stand a maximum load of an impressive 1074 pounds. The asymmetrical tread pattern ensures good grip in varying weather conditions while the thread pitch variation and Outside Adaptive Shoulder Blocks mitigate noise. The tread pattern with its variance allows for good dispersion of water.
Yokohama’s TriBLEND all-seasons compound uses a low-Tg polymer which allows the tire to seamlessly adapt to different types of weather, including light snow.
This tire with its sporty look and great comfort proves to be extremely good value for money and despite its price, performs strongly when compared to more expensive alternatives.
Key Features
- UTQG of 740 A A
- Outstanding tread life and an 85,000 mile warranty
- Incredibly quiet for a touring tire
Pros
- Improved fuel economy through lower rolling resistance
- Improved rife comfort without compromising the handling
- Won’t break the bank
- Versatile due to tire compound and tread pattern
Cons
- Loss of PSI
- Limited load capacity
- Softer sidewall on T rated models
Pirelli P Zero Nero
The Pirelli P Zero Nero is a performance tire geared towards warmer weather. This tire places emphasis on getting the most out of our vehicle. This tire features a steel material twin belt to provide toughness and durability while the internal structure is covered by a polyester cord body.
The inner lining of these tires has an integrated noise cancelling system which greatly reduces the in-ride noise while boosting fuel economy. The load capacity is rather average, and this potential problem is compounded by a warrant which is nothing to write home about.
The Pirelli’s have a combination of shoulder blocks and sipes with optimized placement which is done by a silica-based synthesis for tread. This provides the tire with superior dry grip during acceleration and under braking.
Although these tires are designed for sports cars or medium sized sedans, they perform remarkably well off-road. However, one should have their wits about them with even the lightest sprinkle of snow. Overall, these tires are good value for money and are a solid all round choice.
Key Features
- Smooth ride for a tire that is low in profile
- Dry and wet traction are particularly good
- Excellent overall handling
Pros
- Great cornering ability in the dry
- Sound levels are low and ride quality is high due to tire softness
- Good steering responsiveness and tread wear
- Tread pattern handles well off road
Cons
- Limited warranty
- The tires wet weather performance is on the poorer side
- Struggles in the snow
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is for shuttles, vans, light trucks and off road jeeps. Although Expensive, these tires are top class if cruising cross country is something you enjoy. The Defender LTX M/S integrates stable independent tread block patterns with Evertrend synthesis. This Evertread compound is also resistant to wear and tear.
Alongside this durability, the tire has excellent wet and snow traction ensuring your safety in the trickiest of situations.
It also features high-density 3D active sipes. This patch is designed with four wide circumferential channels and multiple lateral grooves. The tire has superb load bearing capacity and the 70,000 mile warranty over 6 years. Even once the warranty has worn off, these tires should bear tread for another couple thousand miles.
Comfort Control Technology allows for good bump absorption and the tread design helps mitigate vibration and ride noise
The MaxTouch Construction helps in reducing rolling resistance and increasing fuel efficiency. This tire is a great choice for off road vehicles and will help increase the longevity of load bearing vehicles.
Key Features
- Excellent dry and wet performance
- Great overall value for money
- MaxTouch Construction promotes reliable traction and increased wear through even distribution of forces when accelerating, braking, and cornering
Pros
- Great Warranty
- Evertrend compound provide durable tread life, wear resistance and wet & snow traction
- Good resistance to hydroplaning
- Greater fuel efficiency due to reduced rolling resistance
Cons
- Expensive
- Ride can be harsh
- Doesn’t perform as well in mud as other off road terrain
Nokian Entyre 2.0
Nokian is a company that is well known for their tire’s performance on snow and icy roads, and the Entyre 2.0 is no exception. This tire is the best all season tire for snow on this list, something that has been backed up in various consumer reports and publications alike. The tire has reliable dry/wet traction that comes with a comfortable ride which most will be satisfied with.
However, the white rough stuff is where this tear really shines, and the Nokian Entyre 2.0 is the best performing snow tire on the list.
This tire is perfect for sedans and will ensure that no matter the cold you are having to navigate, it will not be your tires that will let you down.
Key features
- The compound is environmentally friendly
- The tire has better handling thanks to the reduced rolling resistance
Pros
- Great responsiveness and steering control in wet conditions
- The ride is comfortable with reduced noise
Cons
- Cornering ability on wet roads is sub-par
Continental ExtremeContact DWS06
The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 is another tire that performs particularly well in snowy conditions. This tire has additional sipes and grooves and these coupled with Continental’s design, ensure the driver and his passengers enjoy both superior steering and performance in the aforementioned conditions.
The ExtremeContact DWS06 is an ultra-high performance, all season tire. Along with its great traction in light to moderate snow, the tire also performs at a high level when the streets are cold and wet. The tire is constructed out of a high grip silica tread compound and this coupled with the unique crisscross grooves allow the tire to be a particularly solid performer whenever the weather turns nasty.
This tire is ideal for both sports cars and sports trucks, particularly if you live in areas that are more colder and experience light to medium snowfall during the year.
Key features
- The sipe technology assist the tire greatly in the rain, snow and ice
- Grip and tread wear is improved due to Continentals SportsPlus technology
- The tires patterned edges improve traction in snowy conditions
Pros
- Great handling and road grip
- Cornering ability at speed
Cons
- Ride noise is less than ideal
- The tire tread can wear out faster than expected
Hankook Optimo H727
The South Korean manufacturer has put together a good all-round effort which not only has a comfortable ride quality but solid handling in all conditions. The tire has good tread life and the comfortable ride is both smooth and quiet. This is courtesy of the computerized tread design which features Footprint Shape Optimization and Carbon Compounding Technology.
The tire has four circumferential grooves and hundreds of unique sipes which assist drivers when the roads become slightly trickier and drivers have reported good performance in 3-6-inch snow. The continuous centre rib and tapered lateral slots improve feel and driving experience which feeds the drivers confidence in a variety of conditions
The Hankook Optimo H727 has an impressive 100,00 mile warranty which is among the highest mileage warranties around. This durability is due to the tire’s structure being two steel belts made of high-tensile steel and a nylon cap ply. This aspect of the design also helps improve the handling. This tire is suitable for sedans, minivans, and crossovers.
Key features
- Road grip is increased by rubber tread compound
- The grooves and tire design help reduce aquaplaning
Pros
- 100,000 mile tread warranty
- Ability in less than ideal conditions
- Smooth and comfortable ride
Cons
- Heavy snow can affect the handling
Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus
The latest offering from the Italian tire maker is the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus. This tire is perfect for luxury and sports cars and focuses on traction, durability, and fuel efficiency. This greater fuel efficiency is achieved via unique polymers which lower the rolling resistance.
This is included in the silicon based compound which improves overall durability. This durability is also improved through the two steel belts inside the tire and the warranty stands at 70,000 miles. The tire is strong throughout the corners and increased traction is a result of the optimized asymmetric 5-rib tread pattern and wider shoulder block.
The low oil and high-silica tread compound is environmentally friendly while aquaplaning is reduced through Four wider circumferential grooves which disperse water in such a way as to keep maximum contact with the road.
Pirellis tag line for this tire of “One Tire, Four Seasons, No Compromises.” Definitely holds true for this effort as is evident by its increase in popularity.
Key features
- Noise output is reduced by tread design
- Aquaplaning is reduced via the Four wide grooves designed
- Smooth driving experience
- Excellent tractions both dry and wet roads
Pros
- Cornering and grip stability are very good
- The tread performs wells over its lifetime
- Increased fuel efficiency
- Siping, that improves performance in all weather conditions
Cons
- Ice performance is not great
Cooper CS3 Touring
The CS3 touring replaces its older GLS model and is designed to be more fuel efficient and durable whilst carrying its occupants both smoothly and quietly. Coopers StabilEdge Technology has been included in the design and features in the tire’s centre and intermediate ribs. This has a dramatic overall effect on the tire when compared to its predecessor.
The steering is quicker and more responsive, the handling and corner grip is improved along with an overall increase in stability when travelling on the highway.
Dry traction and handling is improved through the new touring tread compound which has a wider footprint while the driver can rest easier knowing the four circumferential grooves and 3D Micro Gauge Siping reduce the risk of aquaplaning.
The tire also has a lower price tag which increases its overall value and is perfect for today’s coupes, sedans, and minivans; especially those who are fans of touring.
Key Features
- Newly designed pitch sequence greatly reduces outside noise
- 6% decrease in rolling resistance over previous model
- Traction in snow and wet conditions is improved by 5 rib patterns.
- 3D siping improves control and handling
Pros
- Handling in dry and wet conditions is excellent
- Overall tire stability
- Tread Life is long lasting
Cons
- Cornering grip for those who like to live on the edge
- Tire can wear out quickly
Other Best Tires Posts
Best All Season Tires – Frequently Asked Questions
What is UTQG?
The UTQG is basically a tire ratings system. UTQG means uniform Tire Quality Grade and rating coms in the form of a 3-digit number and two letter grades which is stamped on the side of the tire wall. The three digits measure the durability of the tire. The higher the number you see the more durable the tire is. A high mileage tire will have a rating of 700-800.
The letter grade shows how adept the tire is at handling temperature and what kind of traction it offers. The closer the grade is to A or AA, the better.
What is my recommended tire pressure?
Different manufacturers’ tires perform best at different pressures. This information can usually be found written on the inside of the driver’s door jam. If you are putting new tires on an existing car it is best to look up the specific tire’s pressure online. Also make sure to check out article on best tire brands.
How do I know if my tires need replacing?
Tires become dangerous when their tread wears down. If you measure your tires tread and it is down to 2/32 of an inch you might want to replace it. Many tires have so-called built in “Tread Wear Indicators” which are raised sections that run between a tire’s tread. When these become visible it is an indication that the tear is nearing replacement age.
Tire tread should be checked once a month to ensure motorist and passenger safety.
For more tire ratings, make sure to visit Wholesale Tires Company, where you can find more about tire rating comparisons.