Goodyear Reliant All-Season Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 80%
Wet Conditions – 70%
Snow – 60%
Comfort – 80%
Noise Reduction – 60%
Durability – 80%
Don't know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
Whenever we talk about premium tire manufacturers, the main thing that we often mention is the price. Sure, the performance is excellent, but for some people they are expensive.
In some instances, we see some manufacturers offer models exclusively for a certain retailer. The most common situation we see here is manufacturers that make tires for Walmart.
There are countless examples here and the one we have here is Goodyear. The company recently released the Reliant All-Season which comes as an upgrade over the Viva 3.
The performance of the older tire wasn’t impressive, so can the Reliant All-Season impress considering its price point?
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Decent performance
- Solid aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Higher noise levels compared with its rivals
- Very poor performance in harsher winter conditions
The Features of the Goodyear Reliant All-Season
Even though Goodyear doesn’t make any claims, looking at the features of the Reliant All-Season we have a touring tire.
To achieve winter performance, Goodyear used an all-season rubber compound. The result of this should be a tire that will remain pliable in colder temperatures.
The first feature of the tread design is the wet performance. 4 circumferential grooves work with the lateral ones to help evacuate water. As a result, we should see excellent aquaplaning resistance.
For damp conditions, the Reliant All-Season features sipes that should help it claw onto the road and deliver good traction. They should also help in lighter winter conditions.
Based on what Goodyear claims, the combination of the tread design and the internal construction should help with longevity and handling.
Goodyear Reliant All-Season in Dry Conditions
Whenever we talk about affordable tires, it’s important to have our expectations right and it’s the same with the Reliant All-Season.
There are some improvements over the previous model, so the Reliant All-Season isn’t as disappointing as before. The tire does well in dry conditions, offering the performance needed for a safe drive. On the highway, the stability is solid, and as long as you’re not breaking the speed limit, you’ll be fine. The braking distances aren’t comparable with other Goodyear models, but they are decently short.
In terms of aggressive driving, the Reliant All-Season isn’t a tire that will surprise you too much. Yes, there is some headroom and you can push it a bit, but it’s not a performance tire. Even in the touring segment, some models deal better with aggressive driving.
The handling is good enough for most people, but not something that enthusiasts will like. You’ll have decent responsiveness for daily driving, but you’ll notice it lacking when compared to its rivals. The feedback also isn’t too pronounced, so you may struggle to figure out what the front tires are doing when you reach the limit.
Goodyear Reliant All-Season on Wet or Slippery Roads
As far as wet performance is concerned, there is a slight drop in performance, but the Reliant All-Season remains a solid choice. I wouldn’t compare it with the leading Continental models, so keep that in mind.
On damp roads, the traction levels are pretty decent. The Reliant All-Season can accelerate without too much wheel spin in situations where you’re not overly aggressive. Getting carried away will result in slip, so don’t get too aggressive with it. It’s a similar story with the grip levels. They are fine for normal driving, but if you into a corner at a high speed, the tire will understeer.
Goodyear claims excellent aquaplaning resistance and the Reliant All-Season delivers. The grooves are doing a solid job at evacuating water, so in harsh rain, the tire will deliver very good aquaplaning resistance. On the highway, it will remain stable and planted, which is what most people are after.
Goodyear Reliant All-Season in Snow
People get all-season tires for their ability to perform in winter. The Reliant All-Season despite the M+S rating, isn’t the best in class.
In lighter conditions, the traction levels are solid, and the tire does an acceptable job. The tread pattern of the Reliant All-Season does a solid-enough job on shallow and unpacked snow. It struggles a bit more on packed snow, but it’s not the worst performer I’ve seen in this category. The tire will feel stable and planted as long as you’re not too aggressive with your inputs.
This is where the winter ability of the Reliant All-Season ends and in harsher conditions, the tire won’t perform as it should. Colder temperatures aren’t ideal, as the tire hardens, like most of its rivals. Also, it will struggle in deeper snow and the braking distances won’t be as good as in lighter conditions.
Goodyear Reliant All-Season Off-Roading
The Reliant All-Season is an all-season touring tire, meaning that it’s designed to be driven on the road. As a result, the tire won’t be able to deliver any kind of off-road performance. In a pinch, the tire would offer some performance on a dirt road and that’s as much as you should expect from it. With that said, keep in mind that the rubber compound isn’t made to be cut and chip resistant, so there is a chance that you can damage it.
Goodyear Reliant All-Season for Sporty Driving
Considering the category in which the Reliant All-Season falls, sporty driving isn’t something that you’ll get.
In terms of performance, the Reliant All-Season offers enough grip and traction for normal driving. Going for more aggressive scenarios isn’t something that the tire will be able to deliver.
Then there’s the handling. The Reliant All-Season may be fine for driving around town or on the highway, but the tire isn’t a dynamic option. You won’t get the responsiveness you’d want to have some fun on a twisty road.
Does the Goodyear Reliant All-Season Ride Comfortably?
In terms of refinement, the Reliant All-Season has a dual personality that not too many people will like.
The positive aspect of the tire is the comfort levels. Goodyear designed the Reliant All-Season to be soft and it deals with bumps very well. It smooths the smaller imperfections with ease and will soften the bumps to avoid a massive jolt. I wouldn’t call it the most comfortable tire in the category, but considering the price it does a solid job. It also minimizes the vibrations quite nicely.
On the other hand, we have the noise levels which aren’t as impressive. The Reliant All-Season doesn’t have an overly aggressive pattern like an all-terrain tire, but it’s not particularly quiet. Around town, there is a faint hum that most people won’t even notice. On the highway or on rough roads, the noise increases and becomes noticeable. It may be fine for some people, but I wouldn’t compare it with the Turanza QuietTrack any time soon.
Goodyear Reliant All-Season Warranty
At first glance, the 65,000-mile treadwear warranty seems like it falls behind its rivals. That is true, but when you factor in the price, things start to make sense.
Goodyear Reliant All-Season Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
As a model made primarily for Walmart, the Reliant All-Season is a tire with affordability in mind. A 17-inch model is around $100, which makes it more affordable than even some of the mid-range tires in this category.
Should I Buy the Goodyear Reliant All-Season?
The main thing you should know about the Reliant All-Season is that it’s a premium tire with non-premium performance. As a result, you won’t pay as much as some of the other tires in this class and you won’t get the same performance.
Don’t get me wrong, the Reliant All-Season is far from a poor performer and is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It will offer just enough performance for most people in most situations. People with more powerful cars will find it struggling but it won’t be a terrible experience.
The refinement is a mixed bag and if you’re looking for a quiet tire, you should look elsewhere. With that said, an affordable tire with a decently long treadwear warranty is a rare sight in today’s market.
Overall, the Reliant All-Season isn’t a bad choice. It won’t wow you with its performance, but it will do a decent job. If you’re looking for an affordable tire, this is a good option. The main thing to keep in mind is that you’re getting what you pay for.
What Vehicles Will the Goodyear Reliant All-Season Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Goodyear Reliant All-Season will fit:
- Audi A1, A3, A6
- BMW 1, 3, 5 Series
- Ford Fiesta, Focus, Taurus
- Honda Civic, Accord
- Mazda 2, 3, 6
- Nissan Altima, Maxima
- Subaru Legacy, Impreza
- Toyota Yaris, Camry, Corolla
- Volkswagen Golf, Jetta
- Volvo C30, C70
Tire Sizes of the Goodyear Reliant All-Season
15″
- 185/65 R15 88H
- 195/60 R15 88V
- 195/65 R15 91H
- 205/65 R15 94H
- 215/70 R15 98T
16″
- 205/55 R16 91V
- 205/60 R16 92V
- 205/65 R16 95H
- 215/55 R16 93V
- 215/65 R16 98V
- 225/60 R16 98H
- 235/60 R16 100H
- 235/65 R16 103H
17″
- 215/50 R17 95V
- 215/55 R17 94V
- 215/60 R17 96V
- 215/65 R17 99V
- 225/45 R17 91V
- 225/50 R17 94V
- 225/55 R17 97V
- 225/60 R17 99V
- 225/65 R17 102H
- 235/55 R17 99H
- 235/60 R17 102H
- 235/65 R17 104V
18″
- 225/50 R18 95V
- 225/60 R18 100V
- 235/45 R18 94V
- 235/50 R18 97V
- 235/55 R18 100V
- 235/60 R18 103V
- 235/65 R18 106V
- 245/45 R18 96V
- 245/60 R18 105V
19″
- 235/40 R19 96V
- 235/55 R19 101V
20″
- 245/50 R20 102V
- 255/50 R20 109H
Currently pursuing pro-rated warranty replacement on my daughter’s ’09 Accord with only 27K on these tires, for 2 reasons:
(1) all 4 are abnormally worn in the middle – very visible at a glance – they are not overinflated.
(2) fronts are worn down past tread bar indicators, rears are not that far behind.
Shop mgr said this was the 2nd car he’s seen recently with this same issue.
Needless to say, we will be looking for something different.