Continental vs Cooper – a battle of the tire titans.
In this post, I delve into the depths of these two renowned brands, examining their histories, dry, wet, and snow performances, mileage warranties, average lifespans, prices, and weighing their pros and cons.
Ultimately, I’ll unveil the verdict on which brand reigns supreme.
So buckle up, as I take you on a captivating journey to determine the better brand overall.
Continental vs Cooper – Comparison Table
| Continental | Cooper | |
| Country of Origin | Germany | United States of America |
| Year Founded | 1871 | 1914 |
| Made In | mostly in Germany but they have manufacturing facilities in the United States and possibly China | Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas but could also be made in China |
| Parent | Schaeffler Group (Germany) | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA) |
About the Brands
1. Continental
Continental, a renowned tire brand, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in Germany in 1871.
Originally known as Continental-Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie, the company started as a rubber manufacturer and soon diversified into producing bicycle tires.
Over the years, Continental expanded its product range, delving into automobile tires and becoming a leading tire manufacturer globally.
Under the umbrella of its parent company, Schaeffler Group, the brand has continued to innovate and excel.
Renowned for its commitment to safety, performance, and quality, Continental has become a trusted choice for drivers worldwide.
With a legacy spanning over a century and a half, Continental has earned a reputation for excellence and has become synonymous with German engineering and precision.
Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading tire brands, offering a wide range of products for various vehicles, from passenger cars to motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Trucks
- Buses
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
2. Cooper
Cooper Tire is an American brand that was founded in 1914 and is currently owned by the The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company bought Cooper in 2021 for about $2.8 billion worth in cash and shares.
With its headquarters in the United States, Cooper has a rich history in the tire industry.
Over the years, it has become renowned for its quality and innovative tire designs.
From its humble beginnings, Cooper Tire has steadily grown, establishing itself as a leading player in the industry.
The brand has consistently focused on manufacturing tires that deliver exceptional performance, durability, and safety.
Cooper has also expanded its product range to cater to various vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and motorsports.
Through its commitment to excellence, Cooper Tire has built a strong reputation among drivers worldwide.
The brand’s dedication to research and development has allowed it to introduce cutting-edge technologies, enhancing traction, handling, and fuel efficiency.
Cooper’s tire offerings are widely recognized for their reliability, making them a popular choice among consumers.
With a century-long legacy, Cooper Tire continues to thrive, providing drivers with high-quality tires that deliver a smooth and comfortable ride while ensuring safety on the road.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Commercial trucks
Differences
1. Dry Performance
I’m going to compare the performance of two summer tires as they are the ideal type in dry weather.
I’m taking a look at the Continental ExtremeContact Sport vs the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1.
In my opinion, after evaluating the dry performance of both tires, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport receives a rating of 4.6 out of 5, while the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 receives a rating of 4.3 out of 5.
The Continental tire excels in dry handling and braking, thanks to its SportPlus Technology and sturdy sidewall construction.
Similarly, the Cooper tire offers excellent grip, handling, and dry braking, along with a comfortable ride.
Therefore, I would declare the Continental ExtremeContact Sport as the better tire for dry performance, with a slight edge over the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring.
Based on my research and personal rating, I would rate the wet performance of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus as a 4.4 out of 5.
The tire has received positive reviews for its faultless performance, magnificent wet grip, and great wet handling.
Although it has slightly longer braking distances on wet roads, its excellent stability and comparison to other models make it a strong performer.
On the other hand, the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring achieves a 4.8 out of 5 rating.
It excels in wet weather with excellent traction, short stopping distances, and the benefits of its asymmetric tread pattern.
Therefore, the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring emerges as the winner in terms of wet performance.
3. Snow Performance
We all know that you need dedicated winter tires if you’re going to be driving on harsh winter conditions.
That’s why I’ll be comparing the snow performance of two specialized winter tires – Continental WinterContact SI vs Cooper Discoverer True North.
In my assessment, as the one providing the snow performance rating, I would rate the Continental WinterContact SI tire at 4.4 out of 5.
This tire demonstrates improved snow and ice traction, thanks to its structured siping and advanced tread compound.
Its suitability for snowy and wet conditions, along with its design as a friction Nordic-type and studless ice and snow tire, contributes positively to its score.
On the other hand, the Cooper Discoverer True North tire receives a rating of 4.7 out of 5, excelling in snow performance with reliable traction and performance in various winter conditions.
It is designed as a premium studless tire and incorporates Cooper’s winter tire technology.
Considering both ratings, the Cooper Discoverer True North tire emerges as the winner with slightly better snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Continental | Cooper | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Continental tires are expected to have a lifespan of 20,000 to 70,000 miles. | Cooper tires are known for their durability and are typically guaranteed to last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles. |
After researching, I found that both Continental and Cooper tires offer a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles.
However, when it comes to average lifespan, there is a slight difference.
Continental tires have an average lifespan ranging from 20,000 to 70,000 miles, while Cooper tires are known for their durability and typically last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
So, while both brands provide a similar warranty, Cooper tires may have a slightly longer average lifespan compared to Continental tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Continental vs Cooper.
I’ll be using one of the biggest tire and wheel retailers in the US for this comparison – Discount Tire.
Here is a comprehensive table that showcases each brand has to offer:
| Continental | Cooper | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $81 to $614 /ea | $73 to $585 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Control Contact Tour A/S PLUS goes from $81 – $192 /ea | Evolution Winter Studded goes from $73 – $225 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Scandinavia HD3 goes from $614 /ea | Discoverer STT Pro goes from $220 – $585 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Continental
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Advanced technologies that provide maximum fuel-saving, noise reduction, and performance | ❌ Fewer options compared to other brands |
| ✔ Strong reputation in the tire industry | |
| ✔ They are known for their reliability, comfort, and quietness |
Cooper
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Excellent performance and handling characteristics | ❌ Cooper tires may not be as widely available as other tire brands |
| ✔ Designed to be durable and long-lasting | |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options to suit different vehicles and driving needs |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Continental:
- ExtremeContact DWS 06
- TrueContact Tour
- TerrainContact A/T
Some of Cooper’s best tires are shown below:
- Discoverer STT Pro
- Discoverer AT3 4S
- Evolution Tour
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After analyzing the dry, wet, and snow performance, as well as considering the mileage warranty and average lifespan, I declare that the better tire overall between Continental and Cooper is the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring.
It offers excellent wet performance, with great traction and short stopping distances.
Additionally, it has a slightly better average lifespan compared to Continental tires.
Therefore, the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring emerges as the winner in terms of overall performance and value.