When it comes to choosing the perfect tires for my vehicle, I always find myself torn between two popular brands: Cooper and Firestone.
In this post, I’ll be diving deep into the comparison of Cooper vs Firestone, exploring their rich histories, evaluating their performance on dry, wet, and snowy roads, examining their mileage warranties and average lifespan, scrutinizing their prices, and weighing the pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll uncover which brand reigns supreme in the tire world.
Let’s get rolling!
Cooper vs Firestone – Comparison Table
| Cooper | Firestone | |
| Country of Origin | United States of America | United States |
| Year Founded | 1914 | 1900 |
| Made In | Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas but could also be made in China | United States, Vietnam, Brazil, Canada, and Costa Rica |
| Parent | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA) | Bridgestone Corporation (Japan) |
About the Brands
1. 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
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 Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 vs the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500.
I would rate the dry performance of the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 tire at 4.3 out of 5, considering its excellent grip, handling, and good dry braking.
It offers a high level of comfort with minimal cabin noise, indicating strong capabilities in dry conditions.
On the other hand, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tire receives a slightly higher rating of 4.5 out of 5.
It boasts impressive handling, cornering, and quick reaction to steering input.
With great grip, stability, and a comfortable ride, it also demonstrates strong dry performance characteristics.
Therefore, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 edges slightly ahead in terms of dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring vs the Firestone WeatherGrip.
Based on my research and personal rating, the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring receives a wet performance rating of 4.8 out of 5.
It has consistently received positive reviews, highlighting its excellent wet traction, short stopping distances, and the benefits of its asymmetric tread pattern.
On the other hand, the Firestone WeatherGrip receives a wet performance rating of 4.3 out of 5.
While it offers good wet traction and features like shorter braking distances and hydroplaning resistance, it falls slightly behind the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring.
Therefore, I declare the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring as the better tire for 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 – Cooper Discoverer True North vs Firestone Winterforce 2.
In my assessment, as someone who has given snow performance ratings from 1 to 5, the Cooper Discoverer True North tire stands out with a rating of 4.7.
It excels in snow performance, offering reliable traction and performance in various winter conditions, including snow and ice.
The integration of winter tire technology and positive user reviews on winter traction, handling, and braking contribute to its high score.
On the other hand, the Firestone Winterforce 2 tire scores 4.5, showing reliable snow performance with its cold weather compound and improved grip.
While both tires perform well, the Cooper Discoverer True North takes a slight edge in terms of snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Cooper | Firestone | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 55,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Cooper tires are known for their durability and are typically guaranteed to last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles. | Firestone tires are expected to last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on average. |
Based on my research, Cooper tires have a higher mileage warranty compared to Firestone tires.
Cooper offers up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty, while Firestone provides up to 55,000 miles.
In terms of average lifespan, Cooper tires usually last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles, whereas Firestone tires are expected to endure around 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
Therefore, if you prioritize a longer-lasting tire, Cooper might be a better choice, but Firestone offers a decent lifespan as well.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Cooper 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:
| Cooper | Firestone | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $73 to $585 /ea | $82 to $603 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Evolution Winter Studded goes from $73 – $225 /ea | FT140 goes from $82 – $170 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Discoverer STT Pro goes from $220 – $585 /ea | Destination M/T 2 goes from $229 – $603 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
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 |
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 Cooper:
- Discoverer STT Pro
- Discoverer AT3 4S
- Evolution Tour
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, and average lifespan, I have come to a conclusion.
Between Cooper and Firestone, the better pick overall is Cooper.
While Firestone performs well in various conditions, Cooper excels in wet and snow performance.
Additionally, Cooper offers a higher mileage warranty and tends to last longer.
Although Firestone is widely available, Cooper’s excellent performance and durability make it the winner in this comparison.