Goodyear vs. General Tires
Goodyear and General are both world-renowned brands. Each has a long history of producing high-quality tires for passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks, and other automobiles. Their wide range of tire models also comes in handy in different driving and weather conditions.
That said, there are a few differences between these brands’ tires. Goodyear tires, for instance, are known for their durability and excellent performance in dry and wet conditions. In contrast, General tires attract potential buyers with their affordability and value for money.
If you are having trouble deciding whether Goodyear or General tires should go on your vehicle, the best way to decide which brand’s tires are right for you is to research the tires both brands offer. Next thing you could do is compare similar models from both tire makers.
Seems like too much work? We agree. That is why we developed this comprehensive guide highlighting the factors that distinguish Goodyear and General tires.
Goodyear History
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company were founded in Akron, Ohio, in 1898. It shares its birthplace with two other major tire brands. These include Cooper Tires (which was founded in 1914) and BFGoodrich Tires (which set up its operations in 1870).
As surprising as it might seem now, Goodyear’s initial product line didn’t include automotive tires. The tire brand was instead focused on manufacturing bicycle tires. That only changed when it entered into a highly lucrative partnership with Henry Ford.
The business magnate chose Goodyear to supply tires for Ford vehicles. One thing led to another, and Goodyear became the first tire supplier for Ford’s racing cars. Around the same time, Goodyear acquired a patent on the first tubeless automobile tire.
Over one hundred and twenty years later, Goodyear is one of the most recognized brands in the $110 billon+ automotive tire market. Its models are famous for their superb road manners, high performance in dry and wet conditions, and long tread lives.
Goodyear Tire Families
Ten families complete Goodyear’s tire lineup. These include Goodyear Assurance, Eagle, Ultra Grip, Winter Command, Wrangler, Efficient Grip, Excellence, Fierce, Frontera, and Integrity. Let’s discuss all these Goodyear tire families in detail.
Goodyear Assurance
Premium all-season touring tires populate Goodyear’s Assurance series. The models from this family deserve your attention if you’re seeking superb road manners, refined driving experience, and above-average treadwear warranties.
While there are many tires in this family, such as the Assurance MaxLife, Assurance Outlast, and Assurance Fuel Max, to name a few. None of them can lay a glove on the Assurance WeatherReady, one of the best all-weather tires money can buy.
Goodyear Eagle
Goodyear’s Eagle tire series is populated by performance and high-performance tires. These models offer unrivaled high-speed stability, cornering performance and grip, and straight-line tracking. Their steering response and feedback are also second to none.
The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 has all the above qualities. Aside from that, it offers the shortest braking distances (on dry roads) of any UHP tire. However, if you want something even sportier, the Eagle F1 Sport Car 3 should be on top of your wish list.
Goodyear Ultra Grip
Goodyear’s Ultra Grip tires are designed to safely carry you in harsh wintry conditions. Think of hard-packed snow, thin ice, and snow banks. The Ultra Grip tires have the tread compound as well as the biting edges needed to stay useful in such inclement weather.
One thing you might want to note about Ultra Grip tires is that they come in two types: studded and studless. While both tire types can stay useful on snow and ice, studded tires might be a better pick for driving through a snowstorm.
Goodyear Winter Command
As you might already guess, Winter Command tires are all about snow and ice.
Bear in mind, though, that all the tires in this family are studdable. We’re telling you this because, in some jurisdictions, you have to get a permit to use studded tires on public roads. So, check out local laws before buying Winter Command Tires.
Goodyear Wrangler
Goodyear’s Wrangler series contains some of the best all-terrain tires on the market.
Our favorite tire in this family is the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar. This AT tire is one of the very few in its class that is as reliable for light off-roading as comfortable as it is on the highway. A 60,000-mile treadwear warranty further enhances its reputation.
Goodyear Excellence and Efficient Grip
Although these are two tire families, many things unite them.
The first of which is an optimal balance between refinement and performance. Whether you opt for an all-season Excellence tire or a high-performance Excellent Grip model, expect extreme high-speed stability and equally great road manners.
Goodyear Fierce
Goodyear’s Fierce tire lineup is all about truck tires.
Almost all models in this family are all-terrain tires, meaning you can use them for light off-roading as well as highway use. They come with reasonable treadwear warranties (for tires in this class), though their asking prices might blow a hole in your pocket.
Goodyear Frontera
Goodyear’s Frontera tires are designed for highway or sporty use.
The models in this family are classified into two neat columns. The first of which is HL or highway tires that strike a balance between performance and ride comfort. However, the SL tires’ main focus is on wooing enthusiasts.
Goodyear Integrity
Goodyear’s Integrity lineup contains mid-range all-season tires.
These models offer dependable year-round performance at a price that won’t cost you to rob a bank. However, their tread life warranties are much lower than other Goodyear models, especially those belonging to this brand’s other families.
General’s History
General Tire and Rubber Company owe its existence to Firestone. Here’s how the story goes: this tire company was founded by a disillusioned Firestone franchise owner who had grown irritated with Firestone selling additional franchises near where his store operated.
Dissatisfied with Firestone’s expansion strategy, William Francis O’Neil decided that enough was enough, and it was time to stop filling the company’s coffers with the fruits of his labor. He went into partnership with four persons and formed General Tires in Akron, Ohio, in 1915.
Its founder’s initial vision not only helped put General on the map. It also saw the company move into other businesses, including film production, advertising, and radio stations. However, the main focus of the company, as well as the main source of profits, remained tires.
At the time of writing, General Tire and Rubber Company are owned by Continental AG, which purchased the world-renowned tire brand in 1987. General has tire outlets in over 100 countries worldwide, with reported annual profits to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
General Tire Families
Visit General’s website, and you’d realize that the tire brand groups its families based on their intended use. You can get performance, passenger, light truck/SUV, winter, and commercial tires. Let’s take a detailed look at various General tire families.
General Grabber
General’s Grabber tire family is populated by four categories of tires, including:
- Performance: The Grabber UHP is the only performance tire in this family, catering to the needs of enthusiasts who are always eager to push their car to its limits.
- Passenger: Looking for a General tire to install on your SUV? The Grabber APT might prove to be a decent pick.
- Light Truck: Here’s the market General aims its sights at, offering as many as seven tires for the light truck crowd.
- Winter: General’s Arctic and Arctic LT tires deserve your attention if you don’t like skidding or slipping on snow.
General Altimax
General’s Altimax family contains all-season, all-weather, and winter tires.
The most famous of which is the Altimax RT43, a mid-range all-season touring tire that offers exceptional ride comfort, dry and wet performance, and tread life. Don’t sleep on this model if you want a tire that offers the best price-per-performance ratio.
G-Max
The G-Max tire lineup is populated by all-season and all-weather tires.
All-weather tires offer the same kind of dry and wet performance as their all-season counterparts. However, when it comes to performing on light snow and ice, they are much better.
Exclaim
There is only one tire in General’s Exclaim lineup.
That is the ultra-high-performance all-season Exclaim HPX. Haven’t heard of this tire? Perhaps because it is available exclusively at Walmart Auto Care Centers. This should tell you all you need to know about this model’s affordability, as Walmart is famous for selling inexpensive tires.
Reliatrek
Highway tires can be found in General’s Reliatrek family.
There are two tires in this lineup – Reliatrek and Reliatrek HT – both of which come with an all-season tread compound. However, while the former is meant to go on passenger cars, the Reliatrek HT is designed for light trucks, crossovers, and SUVs.
Comparing Goodyear & General Tires
Here are the major differences between Goodyear and General tires:
Performance
Goodyear tires fare much better in the performance department.
That is mainly because the company’s focus has always been on producing specialized tires for racing, as evidenced by Goodyear supplying the first set of tires for Ford’s racing cars. In contrast, General’s tires are better for everyday use as well as light off-roading.
Availability of Options
Another area where Goodyear leaves General behind is the range of tire options available.
Goodyear offers a much wider range of tire options, including models for everyday use, racing, light and heavy off-roading, and winter driving.
Whether you’re driving a light truck or a sports car, you may find a Goodyear tire for your vehicle. That isn’t the case with General, whose main focus is on passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks.
Price & Warranty
General tires are much cheaper than Goodyear’s, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given that the company focuses on churning out mid-range models.
What is surprising, though, is that similar tire types from both brands are backed with equally lengthy treadwear warranties. In theory, that means that General tires offer equally long-lasting tread lives that you get from Goodyear tires, albeit at a much more affordable price.
Advantages of Goodyear Tires
- Extensive tire lineup
- Reliable off-road tires
- Excellent HP and UHP tires
Advantages of General Tires
- Mid-range asking prices
- Extended treadlife warranties
- Suitable for light trucks and SUVs
Goodyear Vs General Tires: Which Brand to Choose?
Both Goodyear and General produce quality tires.
Goodyear’s main strengths are the wide range of tire options, including models that can help you shine on the racing track and the street. You can also count on Goodyear tires to perform reliably in a wide range of conditions and offer long-lasting durability.
General’s focus since 1915 has been offering mid-range tires with long-lasting tread lives. The North American company offers a wide range of tires for passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks. General also manufactures specialty tires for commercial use.
Overall, if you need a reliable set of tires for winning races and heavy-duty use, Goodyear tires might prove to be a good choice. However, if you want a versatile model at a more affordable price, General tires might be more worth your money.