When it comes to choosing the perfect tires for your vehicle, the battle between Continental and Firestone has been an ongoing debate.
In this post, I will delve into the depths of this comparison, exploring their extensive histories, evaluating their performances in dry, wet, and snowy conditions, scrutinizing their mileage warranties, average lifespans, prices, as well as uncovering the pros and cons of each brand.
By the end, we will uncover the ultimate winner in the Continental vs Firestone tire showdown.
Continental vs Firestone – Comparison Table
| Continental | Firestone | |
| Country of Origin | Germany | United States |
| Year Founded | 1871 | 1900 |
| Made In | mostly in Germany but they have manufacturing facilities in the United States and possibly China | United States, Vietnam, Brazil, Canada, and Costa Rica |
| Parent | Schaeffler Group (Germany) | Bridgestone Corporation (Japan) |
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. Firestone
Firestone is an iconic American tire brand that traces its roots back to 1900 when it was founded in the United States.
The company quickly gained recognition for its high-quality tires, becoming a leading player in the industry.
Throughout its history, Firestone has been committed to innovation and performance.
In 1988, Firestone became a subsidiary of the Bridgestone Corporation, a Japanese multinational company.
This acquisition allowed Firestone to benefit from Bridgestone’s global reach and technological advancements.
Over the years, Firestone has continued to thrive under Bridgestone’s ownership, leveraging its expertise and resources to maintain its position as a trusted tire brand.
Today, Firestone offers a wide range of tires for various vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles.
With a rich heritage and a legacy of excellence, Firestone remains a prominent name in the tire industry.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Trucks
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Light trucks
- Medium trucks
- Buses
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 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500.
In my rating, I would give the Continental ExtremeContact Sport a 4.6 out of 5 for dry performance.
The tire has received excellent feedback, offering superior dry handling and good dry braking.
Its SportPlus Technology and two-ply sidewall construction contribute to its strong dry performance capabilities.
On the other hand, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5 for dry performance.
It excels in handling, cornering, grip, stability, and provides a comfortable and quiet ride.
While both tires perform exceptionally well, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport edges slightly ahead.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs the Firestone WeatherGrip.
Based on my research and personal rating, I would give the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus a wet performance rating of 4.4 out of 5.
This tire has received consistently positive reviews, commending its faultless performance, magnificent wet performance, relentless grip, and great wet handling.
Although it has longer braking distances on wet roads, its excellent grip, stability, and positive comparisons make it a strong contender.
Similarly, the Firestone WeatherGrip receives a wet performance rating of 4.3 out of 5.
It offers good wet traction, with features like shorter braking distances and hydroplaning resistance.
The tire’s all-season performance design indicates reliability in various weather conditions, including wet roads.
Based on these ratings, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus edges slightly ahead in 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 Firestone Winterforce 2.
As someone who has personally evaluated the snow performance of both the Continental WinterContact SI and Firestone Winterforce 2 tires, I rate the WinterContact SI at 4.4 out of 5 and the Winterforce 2 at 4.5 out of 5.
The WinterContact SI demonstrates improved snow and ice traction due to its structured siping and advanced tread compound, while the Winterforce 2 excels with its cold weather compound, open shoulder slots, and sipes.
Both tires offer reliable snow performance, making it a tie between the two.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Continental | Firestone | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 55,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Continental tires are expected to have a lifespan of 20,000 to 70,000 miles. | Firestone tires are expected to last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on average. |
Based on my research, the Continental tires come with a mileage warranty of up to 80,000 miles, while Firestone tires offer a warranty of up to 55,000 miles.
In terms of average lifespan, Continental tires are expected to last between 20,000 to 70,000 miles, whereas Firestone tires have an average lifespan of 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
Therefore, it seems that Continental tires have a higher mileage warranty and a wider range of average lifespan compared to Firestone tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Continental vs Firestone.
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 | Firestone | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $81 to $614 /ea | $82 to $603 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Control Contact Tour A/S PLUS goes from $81 – $192 /ea | FT140 goes from $82 – $170 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Scandinavia HD3 goes from $614 /ea | Destination M/T 2 goes from $229 – $603 /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 |
Firestone
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Firestone tires have good performance | ❌ Their shop is very expensive and they might try and sell you unnecessary services/things |
| ✔ Wide availability | |
| ✔ Good option for those who live in areas with harsh winter conditions |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Continental:
- ExtremeContact DWS 06
- TrueContact Tour
- TerrainContact A/T
Some of Firestone’s best tires are shown below:
- Destination LE3
- Firehawk Indy 500
- WeatherGrip
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After considering the dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, average lifespan, and pros and cons of both Continental and Firestone tires, I declare Continental as the better pick overall.
With its superior dry performance, excellent wet performance, and advanced technologies for fuel-saving and noise reduction, Continental offers a well-rounded and reliable tire option.
Additionally, Continental provides a higher mileage warranty and a wider range of average lifespan compared to Firestone.
Although both brands have their strengths, Continental emerges as the winner in this comparison.