In the world of automotive brake systems, two giants reign: ACDelco and TRW.
As a car enthusiast with an insatiable curiosity, I’ve plunged into a deep dive, comparing performance, quality, and prices, while highlighting the pros and cons of each.
Join me as we hit the brakes, scrutinize these brands, and determine which one ultimately takes the lead.
ACDelco vs TRW – Brand Comparison Table
| ACDelco | TRW | |
| Country of Origin | United States | United States |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1901 |
| Made In | mostly in China | mostly in United States, Czech Republic, China |
| Founder | William C. Durant | David Kurtz and four other Cleveland residents |
| Parent | General Motors | ZF Friedrichshafen AG |
| Overall Quality | great quality when it comes to brake pads & shoes products | high-quality and reliable performance |
ACDelco Gold vs TRW Coated Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Gold and Coated from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, durability, performance, stopping power and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| ACDelco | TRW | |
| Series | Gold | Coated |
| Material | Cast Iron | High Carbon |
| Coating | Black E-Coat | Anti-corrosion coating |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | Durable and has high-quality manufacturing that ensures smooth operation | Equivalent to Original Equipment (OE) standards and designed for a direct fit application |
| Performance | Provides reliable and consistent performance | Offers increased friction coefficient, durability against vibrations and noise, and enhanced thermal efficiency |
| Price | $19.45 – $343.00 | $116.20 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months/24,000 Miles | cover defects in material and poor workmanship for 12 months |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
ACDelco Gold Ceramic vs TRW Ceramic Brake Pads Comparison
In the following section, I’m going to compare the most renowned Brake Pads series from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, performance, stopping power, brake dust accumulation and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| ACDelco | TRW | |
| Series | Gold Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Performance | ACDelco Gold Ceramic Brake Pads excel in performance, delivering superior quietness and durability when compared to semi-metallic alternatives in the market. | TRW takes pride in its 100% in-house production of brake pads, coupled with state-of-the-art technology, ensure the production of brake pads that meet the highest industry standards for quality, performance, and safety. |
| Price | $17.60 – $155.85 | $21.47 – $160.36 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24-Month/Unlimited Mile Warranty | covers defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 12 months from date of installation or 18 months from delivery |
| Dust Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Dust) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
Differences
1. Overall Performance and Quality
ACDelco
- ACDelco brake pads are praised for their durability, with one customer installing hundreds without encountering any issues.
- The Gold rotors from ACDelco are lauded for their smooth performance during regular braking and excellent stopping power during sudden stops.
- The AC/Delco Advantage rotors have been used by customers for extended periods without problems.
- One customer highly recommended the ACDelco Gold disc brakes, noting that they offer smooth stopping even after 5,000 miles. The discs and new AC Delco pads are described as working very well together.
TRW
- TRW brakes have received positive feedback from clients overall.
- Users on a Reddit thread recommended TRW brake pads as a quality OEM performance option. One user noticed that his TRW pads provided the same stopping power as his previous pads, but with 50% less brake dust.
- Many customers appreciate the quality of TRW brake pads, highlighting the brand’s European manufacturing and association with numerous car companies.
- A user noted that while the initial bite may be less apparent, TRW pads offer progressive stopping power, and are quiet, eliminating any squeaking noise.
2. Rotors and Brake Pads Prices
I’ve gathered some interesting information regarding the brake rotor prices for both brands. You can take a look at them in the table below:
| ACDelco Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | TRW Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | ACDelco Silver Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $6.25 | TRW Brake Rotor goes from $72.39 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | ACDelco Genuine GM Parts Front Driver Side Brake Rotor goes for $4,082.84 | TRW Brake Rotor goes for $196.58 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for ACDelco and TRW below:
| ACDelco Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | TRW Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | ACDelco Silver Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $14.13 | TRW Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $19.29 |
| Most Expensive Pads | ACDelco 171-1254 – Genuine GM Parts Organic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $758.29 | TRW Semi-Metallic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $351.82 |
3. Pros and Cons
In this section, I’ve tried to showcase the most noticeable advantages and disadvantages for these two experts in brakes.
ACDelco
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good all-around performance | ❌ Users report that ACDelco brake pads may produce high amounts of dust |
| ✔ ACDelco offers a range of brake products in three tiers: Advantage, Professional, and GM Original Equipment | |
| ✔ Most of their lineup is relatively affordable |
TRW
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ TRW brake pads and rotors are often considered to be a good value for the price | ❌ Their pads can produce more brake dust than usual |
| ✔ Good all-around performance | |
| ✔ Range of options |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the customer feedback and both brands’ pros and cons, it seems that both ACDelco and TRW offer high-quality, reliable brakes with good performance.
However, considering a slightly higher frequency of positive reviews for ACDelco and its wider range of options, I would declare ACDelco as the overall better pick, despite its reported higher brake dust production.