When it comes to choosing the right tires for our vehicles, we often find ourselves torn between various options.
In this post, I’ll be delving deep into the world of Continental vs General tires.
We’ll explore their fascinating histories, examine their performance on dry, wet, and snowy terrains, analyze their mileage warranties and average lifespan, compare their prices, and ultimately determine which brand reigns supreme.
Get ready for an in-depth comparison that will leave you with a definitive answer.
Continental vs General – Comparison Table
| Continental | General | |
| Country of Origin | Germany | United States |
| Year Founded | 1871 | 1915 |
| Made In | mostly in Germany but they have manufacturing facilities in the United States and possibly China | Waco TX, Uvalde TX, Mayfield KY, Bryan OH, Charlotte NC, and Mt. Vernon IL in the US |
| Parent | Schaeffler Group (Germany) | Continental AG (Germany) |
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. General
General Tire, founded in 1915 in the United States, has a rich history as a tire manufacturer.
Originally established as the “The General Tire & Rubber Company,” it quickly gained prominence in the automotive industry.
Over the years, the brand’s commitment to innovation and quality led to its expansion and solid reputation.
General Tire became recognized for producing high-performance tires for all types of vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs.
In 1987, the German company Continental AG acquired General Tire, further enhancing its global reach and technological advancements.
Today, General Tire continues to offer a wide range of reliable and durable tires, combining cutting-edge technology with a legacy of excellence.
With Continental AG as its parent company, General Tire remains a trusted and respected brand, providing drivers with safety, performance, and comfort on the road.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Trucks
- Crossover vehicles
- Light trucks
- Commercial vans
- Off-road vehicles
- All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
- Performance vehicles
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 General G-MAX RS.
After thoroughly researching and evaluating the dry performance of both tires, I, as the one giving the dry performance rating from 1 to 5, would rate the Continental ExtremeContact Sport with a 4.6 and the General G-MAX RS with a 4.8.
Both tires have received highly positive ratings for their respective dry performance aspects, showcasing superior handling, strong braking, and enhanced traction.
However, with a slightly higher rating, the General G-MAX RS edges ahead in terms of dry performance.
Therefore, the General G-MAX RS emerges as the better tire for dry performance, albeit by a narrow margin.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs the General AltiMAX RT43.
As the one assigning the wet performance rating from 1 to 5, I would rate both the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus and the General AltiMAX RT43 with a score of 4.4.
Based on the available information, both tires have received positive reviews for their wet performance.
The Continental tire offers faultless performance, magnificent wet performance, relentless grip, and great wet handling.
The General tire demonstrates good traction and consistent performance on wet roads, while also performing well in dry conditions.
Therefore, it is a tie between these two tires 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 General AltiMAX Arctic.
Based on my research and snow performance rating, I would rate the Continental WinterContact SI tire with a score of 4.4 out of 5.
It offers improved snow and ice traction, thanks to its structured siping and advanced tread compound.
The General AltiMAX Arctic tire, on the other hand, earns a slightly higher rating of 4.6 out of 5.
With its studdable design, innovative compound, and tread pattern technologies, it provides reliable snow performance in various winter conditions.
Therefore, the General AltiMAX Arctic tire edges out the Continental WinterContact SI tire by a small margin.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Continental | General | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 65,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Continental tires are expected to have a lifespan of 20,000 to 70,000 miles. | General tires have an average lifespan of around 30,000 to 75,000 miles. |
Based on my research, the Continental tires offer a higher mileage warranty compared to the General tires.
Continental provides up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty, while General offers up to 65,000 miles.
Additionally, the average lifespan of Continental tires ranges from 20,000 to 70,000 miles, while General tires have an average lifespan of around 30,000 to 75,000 miles.
Therefore, Continental tires generally offer a longer-lasting tread life and mileage warranty compared to General tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Continental vs General.
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 | General | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $81 to $614 /ea | $71 to $595 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Control Contact Tour A/S PLUS goes from $81 – $192 /ea | Altimax RT43 goes from $71 – $187 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Scandinavia HD3 goes from $614 /ea | Grabber X3 goes from $238 – $595 /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 |
General
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Excellent price performance ratio, providing good value for their price | ❌ General tires are generally considered to be in the mid-range segment |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles | |
| ✔ Availability |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Continental:
- ExtremeContact DWS 06
- TrueContact Tour
- TerrainContact A/T
Some of General’s best tires are shown below:
- Grabber A/T X
- Altimax RT43
- Grabber HTS60
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After analyzing the key factors, I would declare General as the better pick overall.
While both brands excel in dry and wet performance, General G-MAX RS has a slightly higher rating in dry conditions.
In terms of wet performance, both Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus and General AltiMAX RT43 receive the same rating.
However, General AltiMAX Arctic outperforms Continental WinterContact SI in snow performance.
Continental offers a higher mileage warranty, but General provides a good price-performance ratio and a wide range of tire options.
Therefore, General emerges as the winner in this comparison.
