Cooper vs Goodyear: Two tire giants, each with their own legacy and reputation.
In this post, I will delve into the depths of these renowned brands, exploring their rich histories and analyzing their performances in dry, wet, and snow conditions.
We will also compare their mileage warranties, average lifespans, prices, and uncover their pros and cons.
By the end, we will crown the better brand, leaving you with a definitive answer.
So, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on this thrilling tire comparison journey.
Cooper vs Goodyear – Comparison Table
| Cooper | Goodyear | |
| Country of Origin | United States of America | United States |
| Year Founded | 1914 | 1898 |
| Made In | Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas but could also be made in China | mostly in Akron, United States, but the company also has factories in Venezuela, India, Turkey, and Malaysia |
| Parent | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA) | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA) |
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. Goodyear
The Goodyear brand, founded in 1898 in the United States, is a renowned tire manufacturer and a subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
It has a rich history that spans over a century.
Goodyear has consistently displayed a commitment to innovation, quality, and performance.
Throughout the years, they have developed groundbreaking technologies and patented tire designs that revolutionized the industry.
The brand’s success can be attributed to its dedication to providing reliable tires for various vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and aircraft.
Goodyear’s products have garnered a reputation for their durability, traction, and superior handling.
Over time, the company has expanded its global footprint, establishing a strong presence in numerous countries.
Today, Goodyear remains a trusted and respected name in the tire industry, continuously pushing boundaries to meet the evolving needs of consumers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Commercial trucks
- Buses
- Motorcycles
- Racing cars
- Farm equipment
- Heavy earth-moving machinery
- Aircraft
- Bicycles
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 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3.
In my opinion, as the one giving the dry performance rating from 1 to 5, the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 receives a rating of 4.3, while the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 receives a rating of 4.5.
Both tires have garnered highly positive feedback for their dry performance characteristics.
The Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 exhibits excellent grip, handling, and dry braking, while the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 boasts a short dry braking distance, good handling speed, and remarkable dry traction.
Considering these factors, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 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 Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.
In my evaluation, I rate the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring with a wet performance score of 4.8 out of 5.
This tire has consistently received positive reviews, highlighting its exceptional wet weather capabilities, excellent wet traction, short stopping distances, and the benefits of its asymmetric tread pattern.
On the other hand, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady scored slightly lower at 4.3 out of 5.
While it boasts features like an asymmetric tread pattern and traction grooves for water evacuation, positive feedback on handling and wet traction suggests its reliability.
Based on these ratings, the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring emerges 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 Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT.
In my evaluation, I would rate the Cooper Discoverer True North tire’s snow performance as 4.7 out of 5.
This premium studless winter tire excels in various winter conditions, providing reliable traction and performance.
Cooper’s winter tire technology and positive user reviews reinforce its excellent winter traction, handling, and braking capabilities.
On the other hand, the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT tire has a snow performance rating of 4.4 out of 5.
It showcases Winter Reactive Technology, a Winter Grip compound, and a directional tread design for enhanced traction.
While both tires offer reliable snow performance, the Cooper Discoverer True North slightly outperforms the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT.
Thus, the Cooper Discoverer True North emerges as the better choice.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Cooper | Goodyear | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 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. | Goodyear tires are expected to last anywhere between 30,000 to 65,000 miles on average. |
After researching, I found that both Cooper and Goodyear offer treadwear warranties of up to 80,000 miles.
However, the average lifespan of the Cooper tires is usually between 30,000 to 50,000 miles, while Goodyear tires can last anywhere from 30,000 to 65,000 miles on average.
This means that Goodyear tires have a slightly longer lifespan compared to Cooper tires.
So, if you’re looking for tires that can go the extra mile, Goodyear might be a better choice.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Cooper vs Goodyear.
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 | Goodyear | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $73 to $585 /ea | $75 to $1,027 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Evolution Winter Studded goes from $73 – $225 /ea | Eagle RS-A goes from $75 – $299 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Discoverer STT Pro goes from $220 – $585 /ea | Eagle NCT5 goes from $317 – $1,027 /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 |
Goodyear
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles | ❌ Goodyear tires can be more expensive compared to other brands |
| ✔ Goodyear tires are known for their high quality and durability | |
| ✔ Long history of producing specialized tires for racing |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Cooper:
- Discoverer STT Pro
- Discoverer AT3 4S
- Evolution Tour
Some of Goodyear’s best tires are shown below:
- Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
- Assurance WeatherReady
- Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the evaluations, the Goodyear brand emerges as the better pick overall.
It offers slightly better dry performance with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3, while the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring excels in wet performance.
In terms of snow performance, the Cooper Discoverer True North outperforms the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT.
However, considering the longer average lifespan of Goodyear tires and their wider availability, Goodyear is the winner in this comparison.
