When it comes to choosing the right tires for my vehicle, I’ve always been torn between Cooper and Sumitomo.
In this post, I’ll be delving deep into these two renowned tire brands, comparing their histories, dry, wet, and snow performances, mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, as well as discussing the pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll uncover which brand reigns supreme: Cooper vs Sumitomo.
Stay tuned for an in-depth analysis that will help you make an informed decision.
Cooper vs Sumitomo – Comparison Table
| Cooper | Sumitomo | |
| Country of Origin | United States of America | Japan |
| Year Founded | 1914 | 1909 |
| Made In | Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas but could also be made in China | Japan and the United States |
| Parent | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA) | Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (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. Sumitomo
Sumitomo, a renowned tire brand, has a rich history that began in 1909 in Japan.
Founded by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, the company has become a global leader in the tire industry.
With over a century of expertise, Sumitomo has established a reputation for producing high-quality and reliable tires for various vehicles.
Over the years, Sumitomo has continuously evolved its tire manufacturing techniques, incorporating cutting-edge technology and innovative designs.
This commitment to innovation has allowed Sumitomo to offer a wide range of tire options suitable for diverse road conditions and vehicle types.
As a Japanese brand, Sumitomo has embraced the country’s ethos of precision engineering and meticulous attention to detail.
This commitment to excellence has earned the brand a loyal customer base worldwide.
Today, Sumitomo tires are known for their durability, performance, and excellent traction, providing drivers with a safe and comfortable driving experience.
With its longstanding history and affiliation with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, the Sumitomo brand remains a trusted choice for drivers seeking superior tires that combine Japanese craftsmanship, innovation, and reliability.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Medium trucks
- High-performance and racing vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Agricultural applications
- Commercial 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 Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 vs the Sumitomo HTR Z5.
As an individual providing dry performance ratings from 1 to 5, I would rate the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 with a 4.3 and the Sumitomo HTR Z5 with a 4.4.
The Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 showcases excellent grip, handling, and dry braking, ensuring a comfortable ride with minimal noise.
On the other hand, the Sumitomo HTR Z5 focuses on maximum performance in summer conditions, emphasizing dry traction with wide circumferential grooves.
Both tires exhibit strong dry performance, but if pressed to declare a winner, the Sumitomo HTR Z5 slightly edges out the competition.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring vs the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02.
Based on my research and personal rating, I would give the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring tire a wet performance rating of 4.8 out of 5.
This tire has consistently received positive reviews, highlighting its amazing wet performance, excellent traction, and short stopping distances.
The asymmetric tread pattern also enhances its wet performance.
On the other hand, the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 tire receives a wet performance rating of 4.4 out of 5.
It offers good wet traction, grip, and stability due to its design and silica-enhanced tread compound.
While wet braking details are limited, the tire should still provide satisfactory performance.
Therefore, the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring is 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 Sumitomo Ice Edge.
As the one giving the snow performance rating from 1 to 5, I have evaluated both the Cooper Discoverer True North and the Sumitomo Ice Edge tires.
Based on my research, the Cooper Discoverer True North receives a snow performance rating of 4.7, indicating its excellence in snow performance.
Its studless winter tire design, premium quality, and positive customer reviews contribute to its high rating.
On the other hand, the Sumitomo Ice Edge tire receives a snow performance rating of 4.5, suggesting its reliability and advanced technology.
While both tires offer commendable snow performance, the Cooper Discoverer True North emerges as the winner by a slight margin.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Cooper | Sumitomo | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 90,000 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. | Overall, Sumitomo tires are known to have a relatively high lifespan, with most models lasting between 55,000 to 70,000 miles. |
Based on my research, the mileage warranty and average lifespan of Cooper and Sumitomo tires show some differences.
Cooper tires come with a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, while Sumitomo tires offer a slightly higher warranty of up to 90,000 miles.
However, when it comes to average lifespan, Cooper tires typically last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles, whereas Sumitomo tires have a longer lifespan, ranging from 55,000 to 70,000 miles.
Overall, Sumitomo tires tend to offer a slightly better lifespan compared to Cooper tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Cooper vs Sumitomo.
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 | Sumitomo | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $73 to $585 /ea | $84 to $475 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Evolution Winter Studded goes from $73 – $225 /ea | HTR Enhance LX2 goes from $84 – $162 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Discoverer STT Pro goes from $220 – $585 /ea | Encounter AT goes from $146 – $475 /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 |
Sumitomo
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Generally considered to have good performance, including grip, handling, and braking | ❌ None |
| ✔ Sumitomo tires are known for their affordable prices | |
| ✔ Widely available |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Cooper:
- Discoverer STT Pro
- Discoverer AT3 4S
- Evolution Tour
Some of Sumitomo’s best tires are shown below:
- HTR A/S P02
- HTR Enhance L/X
- HTR Z5
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After considering the dry, wet, and snow performance, as well as the mileage warranty and average lifespan, it is clear that both Cooper and Sumitomo offer excellent tire options.
However, if I had to pick a winner, I would choose Sumitomo as the better overall brand.
With slightly better dry performance, comparable wet performance, and commendable snow performance, Sumitomo tires provide a well-rounded package.
Additionally, their longer average lifespan and wider availability make them a solid choice.
