Evaluations by Consumer Reports rates four Michelin tire models in the top spots for all season, performance all season and winter categories in the magazine’s November issue. Each of the four Michelins received an “excellent” rating.
The Michelin tires bested tests of 69 models – the largest group ever tested by the publication. That includes all season and winter tires that fit most sedans, wagons, minivans and some car-based SUVs.
Prices for the Michelins ranged from $106 to $126 for a size (P)215/60R16 to fit the publication’s two Chevrolet Malibu test cars; engineers expect other sizes of the same tire models to provide similar performance.
The Michelin HydroEdge was the top scoring model among S- and T-rated all-season tires, and the Michelin Primacy MXV4 and Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S took top honors among H- and V-rated all-seasons, respectively. The Michelin X-Ice XI 2 topped the ratings for winter tires for passenger cars.
The magazine’s tire engineers rated models based on a variety of categories including dry and wet braking, handling, hydroplaning resistance, snow traction, ice braking, ride comfort, noise, rolling resistance and tread life.
Despite top scores, the Michelin models aren’t necessarily the best in every area, according to the publication. “For example, the HydroEdge had only fair snow traction, so drivers who live in snowy areas might want to consider another high-scoring tire.”
The Michelin models are also among the most expensive tires that Consumer Reports tested, “but drivers don’t have to pay top dollar to get good performance.” Other high-scoring all season tires with well rounded performance include the Hankook Optimo H727, Nokian WR G2, Dunlop Signature in the all season and H- and V-speed rated all season categories, respectively. In the winter category, the General Altimax Arctic was a runner-up to the Michelin X-Ice XI 2.
The magazine’s testers measure braking and lateral grip on dry and wet surfaces, handling in an emergency avoidance maneuver, and hydroplaning resistance – which measures how well a tire maintains contact with the road in standing water. A local skating rink is rented to test braking on ice; outside labs evaluate tread life and rolling resistance. To ensure consistency, testers buy each tire model in the same size and mount them on the same test cars.
The latest tire ratings have changed from previous tests. Starting with these tests, they are now designed so that readers can compare the individual performance of one type of tire with another. For example, you can compare the ratings of all season and winter tires to see how much dry and wet grip you give up with winter tires in return for better snow and ice traction. The overall score, however, is still relative to each tire category. Because tread life can influence driving safety, a tread-life rating is included in each tire’s overall score.
For more information, visit www.consumerreports.org.
