Copper Evolution H/T Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 80%
Wet Conditions – 80%
Snow – 60%
Comfort – 90%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 80%
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One of the many things we get to “enjoy” in these modern times is the constant upgrade to the industries around us. As technologies and equipment evolve, companies utilize them to make better products, something that we users are happy to see.
It’s the same situation with the tire industry, meaning that tire manufacturers release an upgraded version of their previous tire every few years. With each upgrade, they aim to deliver better performance, and in most cases, they managed to pull that off.
Many people think these upgrades are only available with the premium manufacturers, but that’s not true. Mid-range companies also do a lot in terms of upgrades, which is why we often see significant performance upgrades with the newer models.
Take Cooper, for example. Among the latest additions to the company’s lineup is the Endeavor Plus, but that doesn’t mean that the Evolution H/T goes in history as a retired model. The tire is still available from some retailers, so the question is whether you should consider it or go for the new one.
Pros
- Pretty decent dry performance
- Handles well for a mid-range touring tire
- Comfort levels are good
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Wet braking distances are longer than some of its rivals
- Winter performance is average, even when compared with other mid-range tires
The Features of the Cooper Evolution H/T
The Evolution H/T is an all-season touring tire, and as such, I believe it covers all the basics in terms of features, at least on paper.
Like many all-season models, the Evolution H/T features a silica-enriched all-season rubber compound molded into a symmetric pattern. This should help the tire deliver performance even in colder temperatures. The interlocking elements of the tread pattern should help the tire remain stable at higher speeds.
There are several features that help the tire deliver performance in wet conditions, most of which are related to the design. The Evolution H/T features micro sipes that should act as biting edges and help with traction on damp surfaces. In addition to that, they should help a bit with performance on packed snow.
The sipes, along with the lateral grooves, work with the wide circumferential ones to help the tire channel water efficiently. As a result, we should see excellent aquaplaning resistance.
As a touring tire, the Evolution H/T has a few features related to refinement. Cooper went with a softer sidewall, meaning the comfort levels should be pretty good. On the noise side of things, the position of the elements should help keep the noise levels on the lower end of the spectrum.
Cooper Evolution H/T in Dry Conditions
The Evolution H/T is a touring tire, and as such, it will deliver the performance most people need. It’s a solid performer as long as you’re aware of the type and class.
Daily driving is something that the Evolution H/T will have no issues with, offering dependable levels of grip and traction. You can accelerate or go into a corner, and the tire will comply, which, in my opinion, is enough for what most people need. Couple that with the short braking distances, and you have a tire that can cover most people’s needs.
Considering that the Evolution H/T is a mid-range touring tire, you shouldn’t expect it to perform well in aggressive scenarios. The tire will begin to struggle even when you compare it with other rivals from the same class, even newer models from Cooper. It will let go of the road sooner than you’d expect, so I wouldn’t advise you to push it hard.
On the handling side of things, I was quite impressed with how the Evolution H/T does. Despite the softer nature of the tire, the responsiveness isn’t too bad, and the best part is that it’s linear. The on-center feel is also pretty good, so you won’t have massive issues on the highway, and you won’t make minor corrections constantly.
Cooper Evolution H/T on Wet or Slippery Roads
When it comes to wet performance, the Evolution H/T performs more or less similarly to how it did in dry conditions. It’s good enough for most people but far from the leader in this class or category.
Cooper did well with the tread pattern, and the sipes helped the Evolution H/T deliver solid traction on damp surfaces. You can accelerate without any issues with minimal slip in some slightly aggressive scenarios. You can also go around a corner without too much understeer, so I don’t have too many complaints here.
The braking distances are slightly longer than some of its rivals, so I wouldn’t say it’s excellent. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still short but behind the premium models.
One thing the Evolution H/T does well is stability in harsh rain. The tire’s pattern evacuates water efficiently, providing excellent aquaplaning resistance.
While I wouldn’t call this an excellent performer, especially when compared to newer models, I can safely say that it gets the job done, which is fine for most people.
Cooper Evolution H/T in Snow
The Evolution H/T is an all-season tire, so there should be some usable performance in winter, right? Unfortunately, that’s not really the case here.
Don’t get me wrong, the tire is far from the most dangerous one I’ve driven. There is some traction available on shallow unpacked snow, and as long as you’re careful, you can drive it in these conditions. It’s a similar story with the packed snow. While it will struggle a bit, you can get it to work if you’re not asking too much of it. The braking distances are acceptable-ish but don’t expect them to be as short as some of the best tires in this category.
In harsher conditions, the Evolution H/T doesn’t do too well. The traction on deeper snow is pretty poor, and driving on ice is almost impossible. To be fair, many all-season models aren’t designed for these situations, but some seem to do a bit better.
Cooper Evolution H/T Off-Roading
The Evolution H/T is a tire designed for CUVs and SUVs, which technically have some off-road capabilities. With that said, it’s not a tire that you can rely on in these conditions. The most I’d recommend going for is maybe a short drive on a dirt road. Anything more than that, and you’re diving into all-terrain tire territory, meaning that you won’t get the necessary performance and durability.
Cooper Evolution H/T for Sporty Driving
Considering that we’re talking about a touring tire, you can probably guess how sporty the Evolution H/T is. The tire’s overall performance may be fine for daily driving, but it’s not for sporty driving. On top of that, even though I praised the handling as solid, that’s when compared with similar tires from this category. This tire is nowhere near the performance models I often mention.
Does the Cooper Evolution H/T Ride Comfortably?
In terms of refinement, the Evolution H/T does a pretty good job despite being a mid-range model. Sure, it’s not the best, but I feel like it does pretty well.
The comfort levels are pretty good, and the Evolution H/T delivers a decently plush ride. It absorbs bumps and larger impacts well and won’t transfer too much vibrations in the cabin. I wouldn’t compare it with the best today, but I feel like it does a pretty good job.
On the other hand, the noise levels are low enough, but the tire is far from comparable to the quietest models in this category. The Evolution H/T produces a hum, which is barely noticeable at slower speeds. As you can expect, the noise is a bit more noticeable at highway speeds, but even then, I wouldn’t call it loud.
Cooper Evolution H/T Warranty
Looking at the warranty, it becomes clear that the Evolution H/T isn’t the latest model in Cooper’s lineup. The tire comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which isn’t terrible, but newer models offer more, models like the Endeavor Plus, with some premium options offering even more.
Cooper Evolution H/T Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
In terms of pricing, the Evolution H/T is a mid-range tire, and as such, it’s placed close to most tires in this category. For many of the models, you’re looking at pricing similar to models from Hankook, Cooper or Toyo, including some newer ones.
Should I Buy the Cooper Evolution H/T?
Even though it seems like I’m critiquing the Evolution H/T too much, that’s not my goal. The tire is a solid performer and performs decently well in most conditions. With that said, I wouldn’t put it on the top of my list.
The dry and wet performance of the Evolution H/T is pretty solid. The tire delivers decent performance, and when you combine that with solid refinement, you get a pretty good mid-range tire. Winter is this tire’s biggest enemy as the performance is limited at times, meaning that many newer models outperform it.
To conclude, the Evolution H/T is far from a terrible tire, but you can find slightly better performers for a similar price. If you manage to find the tire at a significant discount, then you’re looking at a good deal. Otherwise, I think you should look at other models first.
What Vehicles Will the Cooper Evolution H/T Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Cooper Evolution H/T will fit:
- Audi Q2, Q3
- BMW X3
- Chevrolet Blazer, Equinox
- Fiat 500X
- Honda Passport
- Mazda CX-5
- Nissan Murano, Kicks
- Subaru Outback, Forester
- Toyota Rav4, Corolla Cross
- Volvo XC40, XC60
Tire Sizes of the Cooper Evolution H/T
15″
- 225/75R15 102T
- 235/75R15 109T XL
- 265/70R15 112T
- 265/75R15 112T
16″
- 215/70R16 100H
- 225/70R16 103T
- 225/75R16 104T
- 235/70R16 106T
- 235/75R16 108T
- 245/70R16 107T
- 245/75R16 111T
- 255/70R16 111T
- 265/70R16 112T
- 265/75R16 116T
17″
- 235/65R17 104T
- 245/65R17 107T
- 245/70R17 110T
- 265/65R17 112T
- 265/70R17 115T
18″
- 235/65R18 106H
- 245/60R18 105H
- 255/55R18 109H XL
- 255/65R18 111T
- 255/70R18 113T
- 265/60R18 110T
- 265/70R18 116T
- 275/65R18 116T
19″
- 245/55R19 103H
- 255/60R19 109H
20″
- 245/50R20 102H
- 265/50R20 107T
- 275/55R20 117H XL
- 275/60R20 115T