Mastercraft LSR Grand Touring Tire Review and Rating

The LSR Grand Touring is an all-season tire, and there are two aspects of it that enable it to perform in various conditions. It managed to achieve that by utilizing a rubber compound designed to remain pliable in colder temperatures. On top of that, the asymmetric tread pattern ensures that the tire performs well in all weather conditions.

Mastercraft combined the tread pattern with SCS to provide a tire that should have excellent handling in multiple conditions. SCS stands for Stability Control Siping, which are 3D sipes throughout the tire’s tread designed to make the tire handle great and offer plenty of traction.

For longevity, the tire’s footprint is specially molded to provide even contact with the surface. The result of this should be even wear, which should prolong the tire’s lifespan and consistent performance in multiple conditions.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

For a budget-oriented tire, the LSR Grand Touring performs pretty well. It’s not a tire that will win any awards for its performance in dry conditions but will be more than enough for the average driver.

The levels of traction are good enough to avoid too much slip if you get a bit aggressive with the gas pedal. With that said, the LSR Grand Touring will struggle with more powerful cars. Grip is also pretty good, and the tire can hold the car in place without any problems. You have some breathing room and can push it a bit, but keep in mind that it’s not a performance tire, so the grip is limited.

When it comes to handling, the LSR Grand Touring is decent enough. The responsiveness is average which is the positive side, but on the negative side, there is very little feedback through the steering wheel.

Stability is an aspect of the tire that is well designed, and the LSR Grand Touring can provide excellent stability at higher speeds.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

When it comes to wet performance, the LSR Grand Touring is acceptable, but there are some areas where I feel there could be some slight improvements.

Overall the grip and traction of the tire are pretty good considering the category. Things won’t be too bad as long as you don’t get too aggressive with it. Damp surfaces can be problematic, and for the most part, the LSR Grand Touring deals decently okay with them. As for the braking distances, the tire is above average for this price range but not as short as the premium options.

The aquaplaning resistance is good, and the tire will remain stable. With that said, at higher speeds, things may get a bit sketchy, something that you probably won’t experience.

How is it over snow?

It’s an all-season tire, so the winter performance will be limited, especially when the roads are covered with snow.

In light conditions, the LSR Grand Touring is usable, but you’ll still need to drive with a bit of caution. It won’t provide you with as much grip or traction as a proper winter tire. Hardpacked snow is not a surface you’d want to be driving on for too long. Even though there is some grip, it’s very limited.

Braking distances are also far from what a dedicated winter tire can provide. With that said, they aren’t the longest I’ve seen in this class.

Is it comfortable and refined?

It may not be the best performing tire in the world, but it is very well refined to a point where it may even be compared with some premium options.

As a touring tire, the comfort levels are excellent. The LSR Grand Touring smooths up bumps very good and even deeper potholes won’t be a problem. Vibrations are not entirely eliminated, but it’s far from an uncomfortable experience.

In terms of the noise levels, it’s not on the same level as the Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack, but it is a very quiet tire. Noise is almost non-existent, and you may hear it slightly over some rougher surfaces.

Is it good for off-roading?

No, the LSR Grand Touring is not a good option for off-roading.

Performance is quite limited in these conditions, so you won’t be getting anywhere. A short drive over a dirt road could be doable, but again, the performance will be limited. As for the rest of the situations like mud or sand, the tire will be a terrible choice.

The second problem you’ll face is durability. As I said, dirt roads may be passable, but small and sharp rocks can either get logged into the tread or damage it.

Is the Mastercraft LSR Grand Touring ideal for sporty driving?

When it comes to sporty driving, the LSR Grand Touring isn’t a tire that will do wonders.

The grip and traction may be fine for regular driving but won’t be enough to push it hard into a corner. You also won’t be too impressed with how the tire handles in those conditions. Even though it’s not the least responsive tire on the market, it’s far from what an enthusiast would call good.

Mastercraft LSR Grand Touring Warranty

As a budget-minded tire, the LSR Grand Touring has a premium-like warranty. It starts from an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty for the T-rated models, 70,000-mile for the V- and H-rated ones, and 50,000 for W-rated tires. As a comparison, a T-rated BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport has a 70,000-mile warranty, while a V-rated Continental PureContact LS has a 70,000-mile warranty.

Mastercraft LSR Grand Touring Pricing: Is it worth the money?

Price is the main selling point of the LSR Grand Touring, and Mastercraft has nailed it. With a starting price of a little over $80, the tire is one of the more affordable mid-range options, meaning that it’s cheaper than the Firestone All Season or the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.

Should I buy the Mastercraft LSR Grand Touring?