Goodyear Eagle LS-2 Tire Review and Rating

One area where Goodyear couldn’t change too much is the rubber compound. Like most all-season tires, it features a premium compound designed to work a wide range of temperatures. Plus, thanks to the mixture, the Eagle LS-2 should get improved performance in wet conditions.

Speaking of wet conditions, the Eagle LS-2 is designed to be prepared for aquaplaning resistance. The manufacturer implemented 4 circumferential grooves, which work with the shoulder grooves aiming to be more efficient at evacuating water.

The pattern is where Goodyear took a slightly different approach. Unlike most of its competitors, the Eagle LS-2 is designed with a symmetric pattern with 3 central blocks. The company used a computer-designed design to reduce noise without sacrificing the rest of the performance.

As part of the pattern, the manufacturer incorporated sipes aimed at improving traction on snowy roads. With that said, this is where the Eagle LS-2 differs the most from its competitors, as it doesn’t feature a design similar to the rest.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

Despite its age, the Eagle LS-2 is a pretty good performer and can perform as well, if not better, than some newer options on the market.

One thing that sets the Eagle LS-2 apart from some of its rivals is its handling in dry conditions. The level of responsiveness is a bit higher than some of the other tires in this category, and it feels like it has a sporty edge. This gives you a bit more confidence to push it, and even at the limit, the tire will provide you with enough feedback.

To be able to push a tire harder means that you’ll need higher levels of grip and traction, and I’m happy to report that the Eagle LS-2 isn’t lacking. Sure, it’s not as good as something from the Eagle F1 lineup.

The excellent dry performance continues in terms of stability and control. Some grand touring tires don’t like getting pushed to the limit and sometimes feel unstable at higher speeds, something you won’t experience with the Eagle LS-2.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

In wet conditions, the Eagle LS-2 starts to show its age and, at the same time, shows how much tires have evolved in a decade. While I wouldn’t classify it as a bad one, it falls behind its premium competitors.

The levels of grip and traction aren’t horrible, and the Eagle LS-2 remains quite usable, as long as you don’t ask too much from it. There is more than enough grip and traction for normal driving, and the tire will get you from point A to point B without any issues. It begins to break down once you start to push it. First, it’s a bit more prone to understeer than its competitors, and there isn’t enough grip to push it hard.

In terms of safety, you are looking at average-ish braking distances. Naturally, something like the PureContact LS will be better, so the Eagle LS-2 falls in the mid-range category in terms of performance.

The aquaplaning resistance is still good, but like with the braking distances, the technology in newer tires gives them an advantage.

How is it over snow?

As an all-season tire, you’d expect it to have usable performance in snowy conditions, but unfortunately, the Eagle LS-2 disappoints in that area.

Even when it was new, I wasn’t particularly impressed with the performance. There wasn’t a huge difference at that time, but with newer models like the CrossClimate+, it’s much more significant, leaving much to be desired.

The Eagle LS-2 will struggle even in lighter conditions, which is due to the tread pattern. There isn’t enough biting force for the tire to find traction, so don’t expect too much usable performance.

This continues in the braking and handling department, areas in which the Eagle LS-2 doesn’t perform as well as even something like the Hankook Kinergy PT, which is a lower-classed touring tire.

Is it comfortable and refined?

Grand touring tires are primarily aimed at delivering a well-refined ride, something that the Eagle LS-2 is very good at. It may not be the best in this class, but it’s pretty high on the list with some of the newer models.

In terms of comfort, you’re looking at a tire that will keep you isolated from road imperfections and holes. The Eagle LS-2 delivers a soft ride and manages to isolate the cabin from vibrations.

The noise levels are also to be praised, and despite its age, the Eagle LS-2 is still near the top with some of the newer models today. Regardless of the speed, you’re driving, the noise levels are very low. Even though it’s not as quiet as the Turanza QuetTrack, it’s pretty close.

Is it good for off-roading?

Touring tires aren’t the type of tires you’d want to take off-roading, and the same goes for the Eagle LS-2. The tire lacks all the necessary features and technologies that would enable you to drive it on unpaved surfaces.

The two main reasons for the lack of performance are the tread pattern and the compound. It isn’t designed to withstand prolonged exposure to those conditions, and the pattern lacks the design that would enable it to deliver traction in mud or sand.

With that said, going for a short drive on a dirt road may be fine, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The Eagle LS-2 won’t deliver superb traction, and you are risking damage to the blocks from shaper rocks.

Is the Goodyear Eagle LS-2 ideal for sporty driving?

It depends on the conditions, but the Eagle LS-2 can be considered a sporty-ish tire, but not in all conditions.

On dry roads, the Eagle LS-2 is a surprisingly agile tire and may sit well with some enthusiasts. Sure, it’s not on the same levels as the Pilot Sport 4S or the SportContact 7, but it’s not terrible. The grip and traction levels with the handling characteristics make it a tire that can be pushed on a canyon road and deliver very good performance.

Unfortunately, the Eagle LS-2 doesn’t have the performance you’d want in snow or wet conditions, so I wouldn’t recommend pushing it too much.

Goodyear Eagle LS-2 Warranty

The Eagle LS-2 has some good and bad sides, but the worst side comes in terms of the warranty. Goodyear doesn’t offer a treadwear warranty with the tire, which isn’t a common sight in modern grand touring tires. As a comparison, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-Season Plus II comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Goodyear Eagle LS-2 Pricing: Is it worth the money?

Goodyear is a premium manufacturer, so you shouldn’t expect the Eagle LS-2 to be a cheap tire. With that said, the price comparison with its rivals is a bit difficult. Yes, the prices start from around $100, but the tire sizes start from 15 inches, which should be considered.

Depending on the size, you may find a Primacy Tour A/S or a Primacy MXM4 to be more expensive than the Eagle LS-2, which isn’t too surprising. With that said, you may find a considerably larger difference for some dimensions.

Should I buy the Goodyear Eagle LS-2?