When it comes to choosing the perfect tires for my vehicle, I always find myself torn between Continental and Uniroyal.
In this post, I’ll be delving into the depths of these two tire brands, exploring their intriguing histories, dissecting their dry, wet, and snow performances, scrutinizing their mileage warranties and average lifespan, comparing their prices, and uncovering their hidden pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll finally uncover the ultimate question: Continental vs Uniroyal – which is the better brand overall?
Continental vs Uniroyal – Comparison Table
| Continental | Uniroyal | |
| Country of Origin | Germany | United States |
| Year Founded | 1871 | 1892 |
| Made In | mostly in Germany but they have manufacturing facilities in the United States and possibly China | United States, with their main manufacturing facility located in Woodburn, Indiana |
| Parent | Schaeffler Group (Germany) | Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA (France) & 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. Uniroyal
Uniroyal is an iconic tire brand with a rich history that spans over a century.
Founded in 1892 in the United States, it quickly established itself as a leading manufacturer of high-quality tires.
The Uniroyal brand has been under the ownership of Continental AG since 1979, a result of their acquisition of Uniroyal Europe, previously recognized as Englebert.
In 1990 Uniroyal became part of the Michelin Group for North America, Colombia and Peru production.
This acquisition provided Uniroyal with access to global markets and cutting-edge technology, further enhancing its reputation for reliability and innovation.
Over the years, Uniroyal has built a strong presence in the automotive industry, delivering tires known for their superior performance, durability, and safety.
As a subsidiary of Michelin and Continental AG, Uniroyal continues to benefit from the parent company’s extensive resources and expertise, ensuring the brand’s continued success in meeting the evolving needs of drivers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- CUVs (Crossover Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Pickup trucks
- Minivans
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 Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
As the one giving the dry performance rating from 1 to 5, I would rate the Continental ExtremeContact Sport a 4.6 and the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2 a 4.0.
The Continental tire displays superior dry handling, good dry braking, and SportPlus Technology for optimal performance in both dry and wet conditions.
With its two-ply sidewall construction, it offers increased strength.
While the Uniroyal tire provides good dry traction, a comfortable ride, and long-lasting tread life, it falls slightly behind in terms of dry performance.
Thus, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport emerges as the better tire for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.
Based on my research, I would rate the wet performance of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus tire as 4.4 out of 5.
Reviews consistently praise its faultless performance, magnificent wet handling, and relentless grip.
Although it may have slightly longer braking distances on wet roads, its excellent stability and positive comparisons to other models make it a strong performer in wet conditions.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S tire scores 4.2 out of 5 for wet performance.
While it provides decent traction on wet surfaces, there are mixed opinions about its wet performance compared to its performance on dry roads.
Based on these ratings, the Continental tire appears to offer slightly better 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 Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3.
Based on my research and snow performance rating, I would give the Continental WinterContact SI tire a score of 4.4 out of 5.
This tire offers improved snow and ice traction with its structured siping, advanced tread compound, and suitability for snowy and wet conditions.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 tire receives a rating of 4.3 out of 5, providing reliable snow performance with enhanced traction and the option for studs.
Both tires are excellent choices, but the Continental WinterContact SI edges slightly ahead.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Continental | Uniroyal | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 75,000 mile tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Continental tires are expected to have a lifespan of 20,000 to 70,000 miles. | Uniroyal tires are expected to last anywhere between 50,000 to 75,000 miles on average. |
After conducting research on the Continental and Uniroyal tires, it is clear that there are slight differences in their mileage warranty and average lifespan.
Continental tires come with a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, while Uniroyal tires offer a warranty of up to 75,000 miles.
On average, Continental tires can last between 20,000 to 70,000 miles, whereas Uniroyal tires tend to have a lifespan of 50,000 to 75,000 miles.
These findings suggest that both tire brands have comparable treadwear warranties, but Uniroyal tires may have a slightly longer average lifespan.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Continental vs Uniroyal.
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 | Uniroyal | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $81 to $614 /ea | $78 to $307 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Control Contact Tour A/S PLUS goes from $81 – $192 /ea | Tiger Paw Touring A/S DT goes from $78 – $176 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Scandinavia HD3 goes from $614 /ea | Laredo A/T goes from $139 – $307 /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 |
Uniroyal
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good value for the money | ❌ They are mostly considered as a second-tier brand |
| ✔ Good traction | |
| ✔ Durable and long-lasting |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Continental:
- ExtremeContact DWS 06
- TrueContact Tour
- TerrainContact A/T
Some of Uniroyal’s best tires are shown below:
- Tiger Paw Touring A/S
- Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2
- Laredo Cross Country Tour
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the research and comparisons, the Continental tire brand emerges as the better pick overall.
It offers superior dry performance, impressive wet handling, and good snow traction.
With advanced technologies, a strong reputation, and reliable performance, Continental tires provide maximum fuel-saving and a quiet, comfortable ride.
While Uniroyal offers good value and durability, Continental’s overall performance and reputation make it the winner in this comparison.