Consumer Reports evaluated tires in 8 categories

The Consumer Reports magazine has published a new rating of tires in eight categories for passenger cars, SUVs, and pickups, evaluating both their driving properties in various conditions and their economy and resource.

There are not many publications in the industry that report on tire mileage, and CR tests have shown that while most tires can withstand up to 110,000 km, some models for sports and luxury cars will need to be replaced after just 50,000 km. Thus, an expensive tire with an increased resource will be a more profitable purchase than a less durable, but cheaper, tire, experts note.

CR also says that some of the tested tires improve fuel economy due to low rolling resistance, however "as the tread wears out, the rolling resistance decreases anyway, so don't be surprised if fuel consumption increases slightly after replacing worn-out tires with new ones".

All-season and winter tires of various categories were tested, and most often the first places were occupied by tires of such brands as Continental, Michelin, and Bridgestone.

Annually, CR tests over 40 tire models, meaning that hundreds of tires are used in tests, which are evaluated for braking efficiency on wet and dry surfaces, handling, comfort, and quietness of ride, as well as resistance to aquaplaning at a test track in Connecticut. In addition, snow tests are conducted at a test center in Michigan, and on-ice tests are conducted at a nearby ice rink. Rolling resistance is measured in laboratories by third-party companies, and wear is measured based on the results of large-scale tests in western Texas, where 26,000 km are driven on tires.