BFGoodrich vs Goodyear Tires
BFGoodrich and Goodyear have several things in common. Both these tire companies were founded in Akron, Ohio, the so-called ‘Rubber Capital of the World’. Their initial focus was on manufacturing bicycle tires, and it remained so until the turn of the 20th century.
Both these companies are behemoths in the global automotive tire market. At the time of writing, Goodyear tires can be seen on the roads of more than 150 countries. On the other hand, BFG has produced over 500 million tires from just a single factory in Alabama.
Their respective tire lineups are pretty similar, too. BFG and Goodyear offer tires with different tread designs and patterns, such as all-season, performance, off-road, and winter tires. You can install either’s tires on your car, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and sports cars.
Yet, as any driver who has switched from BFG to Goodrich tires or vice versa can attest, there are various differences between these brands’ tires. To help you understand what those differences are, here’s a detailed comparison of the BFGoodrich Vs Goodyear tires.
BFGoodrich History
Most people don’t know that decades before there was any Goodyear, there was BFGoodrich. One of the oldest tire companies in the world, it opened its eyes in 1870 in Akron, Ohio. Its birth date makes BFG 19 years older than Michelin and 2 years Continental’s senior.
Given the success (and profits) BFG has enjoyed selling tires, it seems impossible to believe that it didn’t start manufacturing tires until 1900. But that’s true. It was only at the start of the 20th century that BFG decided to dip its toes in the then-nascent global tire market.
What it lost in time, BFG made up in market share. Within 3 decades of the start of its tire-making business, BFG got a bumper contract: It got the contract to supply tires to Ford Model A, a legendary car that sold over 4.2 million units in the 5 years it remained in production.
The following decades saw BFG collect various other accolades, such as manufacturing the first tubeless tire for American cars (1947). BFG holds two other distinctions: the US can proudly claim to manufacture the world’s first all-terrain (1976) and 24-inch 4×4 (2002) tires.
BFGoodrich Tire Families
Six families complete BFG’s tire lineup. These include g-Force, Radial, All-Terrain, Mud-Terrain, Winter, and Commercial. Let’s discuss all of them one by one.
g-Force
BFG’s g-Force family comprises performance, high-performance, and max-performance tires. These models provide exceptional steering response, high-speed stability, and dry and wet traction. Their road grip and cornering performance aren’t bad, either.
Searching for a tire that could offer all of the above? Then you must check out the g-Force Sport Comp-2. But this high-performance all-season tire doesn’t stop at that. With the help of BFG’s Equal Tension Containment (ETEC) System, it also offers a long road life.
Radial
Do you know that it was BFG that perfected the technology that fuels today’s radial tires? Sure, the likes of Michelin and Bridgestone pioneered the radial tire concept. But the advances in performance between the world’s first radial tire and today’s owe much to BFG’s technologies.
If you want to sample what those technologies are, look no further than the BFG Radial T/A Terrain. Here is a model that offers enhanced traction 365 days a year. To make sure that it doesn’t flex too much and end up degrading its handling, BFG has used special stabilizers in the sidewall.
All-Terrain
Given how well they perform, it seems pertinent to highlight two of BFG’s best all-terrain tires:
- BFG T/A KO: One of the best all-terrain tires to have ever come out of BFG’s factory, the T/A KO has since been replaced by the T/A KO2. Yet, its popularity (and usage) still endures among the off-road crowd.
- BFG T/A KO2: Offering 15% longer tread life on asphalt and 20% more resistance to sidewall splitting, the KO2 is proof that BFG’s engineers are always working to improve the brand’s products.
Mud-Terrain
Wider spacing between tread blocks for better self-cleaning? Check. Larger, more aggressive tread patterns for enhanced traction in muddy and soft soil conditions? Present. Reinforced tread blocks for extra strength and durability? Absolutely.
All these qualities help BFG’s mud-terrain tires rank among the best in the market. Additionally, this brand’s MT tires come with a sturdier sidewall design than that of rival models, which helps protect these tires from punctures and other types of damage.
Winter
At the time of writing, there’s only one model in BFG’s winter tire lineup, the T/A KSI.
Available in 57 sizes from 14 inches to 20 inches, this tire comes with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) and Mud + Snow (M+S) emblems. You can therefore count on this model to come in handy regardless of whether there’s thin ice or thick chunks of snow on the highway.
Commercial
BFG’s Commercial lineup includes models for CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks.
These tires feature various inserts to expedite cooling and reduce the risk of blow-ups, a major issue with commercial tires as they have to withstand heavy loads. Plus, thanks to their reinforced foundation, BFG’s commercial tire fleet can help you tow and haul the heavy stuff.
Goodyear Tires History
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was founded in 1898 in Akron, Ohio. Its founder was one Frank A. Seiberling, who purchased the brand from its bankrupt predecessor, the Goodyear India Rubber Company. Legend has it that Seiberling borrowed $3,500 to set up the new venture.
After producing bicycle and carriage tires for the first 4 years, Goodyear introduced the Non-Skid, the company’s first automobile tire. This tire’s tread design, which helped it offer enhanced traction on wet roads, became the basis for all automobile tires developed back then.
However, what put Goodyear on the map was the All-Weather Tread, an all-season tire that offered excellent traction in all weather conditions. Upon the arrival of World War 1, the company got a contract for producing tires for the allied nations’ military vehicles and aircraft.
Other notable innovations in Goodyear’s history include the Blue Streak (a high-performance tire for racing cars) and the world’s first tubeless tire. At the time of writing, Goodyear manufactures tires for everything from the cars you see on the road to farm equipment.
Goodyear Tire Families
Ten families complete Goodyear’s tire lineup. These include Goodyear Assurance, Eagle, Ultra Grip, Winter Command, Wrangler, Efficient Grip, Excellence, Fierce, Fortera, and Integrity. Let’s discuss all these Goodyear tire families in detail.
Goodyear Assurance
Goodyear’s Assurance family is populated by all-season touring and all-weather tires. Notable all-season models include the Assurance Fuel Max, Assurance Outlast, and Assurance Max Life. On the other end is the Assurance WeatherReady, one of the best all-weather tires.
Despite their differences, all these tires have a few things in common. They all offer excellent road manners, refined driving experience, and superb fuel economy. Also, bar the Assurance WeatherReady, their treadwear warranties can compete with that of Michelin’s AS tires.
Goodyear Eagle
Performance and high-performance tires inhabit Goodyear’s Eagle tire lineup. These tires prefer exceptional cornering performance and grip over riding comfort and road manners. Their straight-line tracking, steering response, and high-speed stability are also second to none.
Need proof? Then you must check out the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, an ultra-high-performance tire that offers unbelievably short braking distances on wet roads. If you want an even higher sporty performance, the Eagle F1 SportCar 3 must be on any list you may prepare.
Goodyear Ultra Grip
Goodyear’s Ultra Grip tires are meant to hold their own in harsh weather conditions, thanks mainly to the super-flexible tread compound that stays that way in sub-zero temperatures. Though, their biting edges and water evacuation system also help these tires.
The Ultra Grip series contains two types of winter tires: studless and studdable. Studless tires will suit you just fine unless you live somewhere where it snows buckets. And while studdable tires may offer enhanced winter traction, they might end up damaging the road surface.
Goodyear Winter Command
As the name implies, the Winter Command lineup is designed to safely carry you from point A to point B on ice- and snow-laden roads.
Every member of this family is studdable, though, distinguishing Winter Command tires from their cousins in the Ultra Grip family. This may prove to be an issue if the area where you live/drive doesn’t allow the entry of studded tires on public roads.
Goodyear Wrangler
Goodyear’s Wrangler series is all about off-roading. It’s populated by all-terrain, mud-terrain, and rugged terrain (or hybrid) tires. Its tires can thus meet the demands of drivers who spend the lion’s share of their time behind the wheel in mud, snow, slush, gravel, snow, and rocks.
To help you understand what the Wrangler tires are all about, let’s briefly discuss two of this family’s most popular children. These are the Trail Runner AT and All-Terrain Adventure. Both these tires have what it takes to carry you safely through challenging tracks and trails.
Goodyear Efficient Grip and Excellence
Why have we grouped two tire families together?
Because their members have many things in common, the most important of which is the balance that they offer between refinement and performance. If you want good road handling without sacrificing comfort, check out these families’ tires.
Goodyear Fierce
In contrast to what you may think, Goodyear Wrangler tires aren’t the only option this brand offers to off-road enthusiasts.
The Fierce lineup also has what it takes to come in handy on mud, slush, gravel, and even snow. However, the Fierce tires aren’t good at rock crawling.
Goodyear Fortera
Cannot remember the last time you drove on anything but paved roads?
Then the Goodyear Fortera lineup is right for you. Populated by SL (sporty) and HL (highway) tires, this lineup is designed to maximize riding comfort and minimize road noise. That said, the SL tires can prove to be a little noisier than you may like.
Goodyear Integrity
Over the years, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has bought many small tire brands to make some space for itself in the budget tire market. Its Integrity series is another effort by the US tire manufacturer to serve those drivers who cannot afford its above premium tires.
BFGoodrich Vs Goodyear Tires: Differences
Here are the major differences between BFGoodrich and Goodyear tires:
Performance
Both BFGoodrich and Goodyear offer many options to drivers who want high-performing tires that can handle various driving and weather conditions.
However, as far as sporty handling and responsive driving experience is concerned, we’d always prefer BFG over Goodyear. And it isn’t just us who think like that. Car enthusiasts and motorsport lovers would also like to give you the same advice.
Availability of Options
At the time of writing, Goodyear has ten tire families to BFG’s six.
That isn’t to say that BFG tires cannot meet the demands of every driver. In fact, if you look closely, you’d get to notice that there isn’t any type of tire that either of these brands doesn’t produce. So, despite having fewer lineups, BFG offers as many tire options as Goodyear.
Price & Warranty
BFGoodrich tires generally tend to be more expensive than their counterparts from Goodyear. That is because BFG focuses on producing high-performance tires, which almost always cost more than all-season tires (the main focus of Goodyear).
The above paragraph explains what we’re to say next: You’re more likely to get a bigger treadwear warranty on a Goodyear tire than on a BFG’s. Goodyear also offers a “Fuel Saver Limited Warranty” that guarantees at least 2% reduced fuel consumption than its competitors.
Advantages of Goodyear Tires
- Premium all-season touring tires
- Long treadwear warranties
- Reliable models for off-roading
Advantages of BFGoodrich Tires
- Excellent performance and high-performance tires
- Better choice for race cars, muscle cars, and sports cars
- Enhanced steering response, cornering performance, and grip
BFGoodrich Vs Goodyear Tires: Which One to Choose?
BFGoodrich tires are a no-brainer if you spend most of your time behind the wheel on a racing track. However, if you’re looking for a set of tires that could offer a comfortable driving experience during everyday commutes, Goodyear tires may be a better choice.