Goodyear vs Firestone Tire Comparison & Buyer’s Guide

Goodyear and Firestone are iconic names in the tire industry, and manufacture some of the best car and truck tires on the market today. But how do you choose between them when you need to buy new tires? Here we’ll talk about each brand, the defining characteristics of the tires they produce, and the benefits of choosing Goodyear vs Firestone tires.

In this article I’ll provide a comparison of the two companies, a top-level comparison of the cost, durability, and performance of Firestone and Goodyear tires, and I’ll also compare each company’s top-performing tires in the following categories:

• All-Season Tires (the most budget-friendly options),
• Winter Tires, and
• Performance Tires.

Let’s dive right in and compare some excellent top-selling tires made by Goodyear and Firestone. 

Firestone & Goodyear: World-Famous Tire Producers 

Without question, Firestone and Goodyear are two of the most popular tire producers in the United States. Firestone makes Bridgestone tires as well as ones under the general Firestone brand, but tires sold under the Firestone brand tend to be more expensive than the company’s Bridgestone counterparts.

So how do Goodyear tires compare with Firestone tires? 

Comparing Firestone to Goodyear Tires (in general terms)

Most people buying tires are guided by three factors:

• Cost,
• Durability, and
• Performance.

Let’s briefly discuss each of these in a general brand vs brand comparison, then we’ll get into some specific tire comparisons between Firestone and Goodyear below.

Are Firestone or Goodyear Tires More Expensive?

For the most part, Firestone tires tend to be cheaper than Goodyear tires. But while you may save money up-front by buying Firestone tires, they probably won’t last as long so the savings is negligible. Let’s talk some more about that…

Do Firestone Tires or Goodyear Tires Last Longer?

Most people report that their Firestone tires wear out sooner than comparable Goodyear tires. If you purchase these tires new, you might expect tires from Firestone to remain in top condition for 3 years, whereas you could get an extra year of peak performance from similar tires manufactured by Goodyear.

What About Safety & Performance?

Both tires perform well on dry roads, but in wet or snowy conditions many all season tires from Firestone don’t offer the same traction and grip as their Goodyear counterparts.

Now let’s look at some of the most popular tires from Goodyear and Firestone in a few top categories to help you choose the best tires for your vehicle.

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All-Season Tire Comparison: Goodyear vs Firestone

The primary type of tires purchased by people are all-season tires. These tires are designed to handle a variety of road conditions, and budget-friendly models tend to be the most popular tires for commuters who are interested in getting from A to B safely, but may not nit-pick about performance. In this category you want tires that grip the road in wet and dry conditions, that perform well when accelerating and braking, and that will last a long time.

So let’s compare two of the most popular budget friendly all-season tires from Goodyear and Firestone:

• Firestone WeatherGrip vs Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

Both of these tires are available at a competitive price-point that make them accessible to most consumers looking for a quality all-season tire. But there are differences which may make one the better choice for you.

Let’s dig in.

Firestone WeatherGrip Tire

The Firestone WeatherGrip (Amazon link) is produced and marketed for mid-range cars including sedans, station wagons, crossovers, and coupes. This tire is known for outstanding grip on wet surfaces, as well as decent traction in light snow conditions. The WeatherGrip also has outstanding treadlife. 

This tire is dependable in even severe weather, as it has the coveted 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) symbol. They aren’t winter tires, however, so keep that in mind. If you live and drive somewhere with huge amounts of snowfall, you will probably want to invest in winter tires because these all-season tires may not provide the traction you need. 

When you have Firestone WeatherGrip tires on your vehicle, you get top-quality handling at every speed, as result of nylon support. The tire design also features two identical steel belts, which are strengthened by one layer of polyester casing. 

The WeatherGrip tire from Firestone has interlocking grooves that feature sipes in zigzag patterns. With the Firestone WeatherGrip tire, you get tread with a directional pattern. This provides better traction.

Firestone WeatherGrip tires also have Firestone Hydro-Grip technology. Water is unlikely to build up in the tire’s contact patch. This is because of the groove depth and open shoulders. This tire is able to easily get through water, as result of its circumferential contact patch. The Firestone WeatherGrip tire’s shoulder blocks are sloping and cornered, so there is good contact between the ground and tire footprint and braking distances are shorter. 

When you drive in light snow conditions, you get excellent traction with the Firestone WeatherGrip. It’s because of these tire’s snow traction claw technology, as well as the center rib vices. The snow traction claw is found on the intermediate ribs, as well the shoulder ribs. 

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady Tire

Now let’s talk about the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady Tire (Amazon link). This is a high-quality tire that is classified as all-season. It’s appropriate for vehicles such as crossovers, minivans, coupes, SUVs, and sedans.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tires are renowned for their durability. In fact, you will even get a good grip when the tire is getting close to needing replacement, which will put safety-conscious shoppers on a budget (wanting to stretch the life of their tires) at ease. 

This tire boasts Goodyear’s patented Weather Reactive Technology. This lends better cornering and steering control.

These are great tires to have on your vehicle when dealing with extreme weather, conditions that are becoming more common. This patented technology means the tire’s intermediate and shoulder ribs have 3D Treadlock technology blades. 

The tread pattern on the tire is asymmetrical, and the design ensures you get the correct traction level for every kind of weather.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tires also have the 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake) symbol. This always means excellent durability and effectiveness. 

So, Which All-Season Tire Do I Recommend? 

Of course, you have to choose the all-season tire that best suits your own personal needs and preferences. Both tires are good options that will perform in a variety of driving conditions, but between the two I recommend Goodyear if your budget allows you to buy them.

If you’re in an area that gets heavy snow, definitely spend a little extra and go for Goodyear. If you don’t see much snowfall, you can save some cash and go with Firestone.

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Goodyear vs Firestone Winter Tire Comparison

Winter tires (also referred to as snow tires) are important when you live somewhere that has extremely severe winters.

While you can use all season tires in snow, the rubber used to manufacture snow tires is softer and performs better in cold weather. The aggressive tread also aids in clearing snow and slush to provide additional grip and keep you safe while driving in inclement weather.

Two of the most popular winter tires on the market are

• Firestone Winterforce and Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter

Let’s compare Firestone vs Goodyear winter tires, and look specifically at the qualities that each tire has that make them a good choice. I’ll also examine potential drawbacks which could push you toward a purchase of the other tire. 

Firestone Winterforce Tires

Firestone Winterforce (Amazon link) is used in the coldest and snowiest conditions with success. It provides the best possible traction, while ensuring you always have a smooth driving experience.

Winter tires must let you dependably brake no matter how much slush and snow are on the ground, and Firestone Winterforce gives you all of this and more. 

This tire come with Firestone’s winter tire limited warranty. Firestone Winterfoce tires come in three varieties:

• Firestone Winterforce LT,
• The Winterforce 2, and
• Firestone Winterforce 2 UV.

Most passenger cars will want to opt for the Winterforce LT, as the Winterforce 2 tires are more geared toward pickup trucks and light work trucks / commercial applications.

The WInterforce LT provides a smoother, quieter ride without skimping on grip in icy winter conditions.

All Winterforce models give you top-quality traction in all kinds of winter conditions and outstanding performance. 

Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter Tire

Goodyear Ultra Grip (Amazon link) is another outstanding winter tire. Its claim to fame is how it’s proven to have an average stopping distance that is as much as six feet shorter when you brake on snow, compared to other major winter tires.

That’s a big deal to most consumers concerned with staying safe in slick winter driving conditions.

This tire has excellent grip and traction in the most slippery winter weather. 

The Ultra Grip tire’s tread pattern is directional, giving you superior traction in snowy conditions. If you have to deal with icy roads, you’ll be grateful for the biting edges. These give you incredible grip.

There is also outstanding wet traction, with wider than average tread grooves. And as with most winter tires, you can get metal studs added to give you even better traction on the slickest winter roads. 

So, Which Winter Tire Should You Choose? 

Firestone Winterforce and Goodyear Ultra Grip tires are both great winter tire choices. A major difference, however, is that Firestone Winterforce is reported to have better treadlife. However, going with the Firestone Winterforce may mean that you will deal with a less than smooth experience on uneven surfaces. 

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Performance Tire Comparison: Goodyear vs Firestone

A performance tire is a tire specifically designed for use on high-end sports cars that require top performance maneuverability. With a performance tire, you get better handling and response. These tires will also have superior traction, whether you’re driving in dry or wet weather.

• Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate and Firehawk AS are my performance tire picks from these two brands.

I’ll compare them below if you’re in the market for this type of tire and trying to choose between Firestone and Goodyear for your car. But first a little more about what makes performance tires unique (and what to look for).

With a performance tire, there will be special rubber compounds, design features, and advanced tread patterns. These are all key to creating a performance tire’s traction and superior performance overall.

You don’t need to have a sports car to buy and enjoy performance tires. In fact, it’s becoming more common for drivers to add performance tires to certain kinds of mid-range vehicles. Check your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations before investing in new tires. 

If you’re new to performance tires, maybe you are having trouble figuring out if they would fit your needs. The answer is if you are craving better precision, responsiveness, and traction, you will love performance tires. One significant downside of performance tires, however, is how they may reduce fuel mileage. You may also have to replace your tires more frequently. So those on a budget are probably better served by sticking with high-quality all-season tires. 

Always remember, never put a set of tires on your vehicle without checking to ensure that they are compatible and the right size. Never try to put tires on your car that the vehicle manufacturer says you shouldn’t use.

If you do, you will end up with significant problems with both your vehicle and tires. 

Choosing the Right Tires Depends on Your Vehicle

So, is Goodyear better than Firestone? Well, it depends.

If it was my money, in most cases I would choose Goodyear tires over Firestone. In my opinion they perform better, last longer, and are just great all-around tires.

Firestone tires are excellent too, and they tend to be less expensive, so if you’re ok with tires that have a shorter lifespan and may not perform quite as well in the toughest conditions, Firestone is a solid choice. Either way you’re getting a high quality tire with these two brands.

Remember, one of the most important rules when selecting tires is choosing ones that are appropriate for your vehicle.

Check the manufacturers recommendations for your car, and then choose from the selection available to you. We have a guide to help you select the right tire size for your car which is a great place to start if you’re not sure how to shop for the right tires.