When it comes to tires, choosing the right brand can make a world of difference in your driving experience.
In this post, I’ll be delving into the Cooper vs Uniroyal debate, exploring their histories, dry, wet, and snow performances, mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, and uncovering the pros and cons of each.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
So, buckle up and let’s dive into this captivating comparison!
Cooper vs Uniroyal – Comparison Table
| Cooper | Uniroyal | |
| Country of Origin | United States of America | United States |
| Year Founded | 1914 | 1892 |
| Made In | Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas but could also be made in China | United States, with their main manufacturing facility located in Woodburn, Indiana |
| Parent | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA) | Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA (France) & Continental AG (Germany) |
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. 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 Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
In my evaluation, I would rate the dry performance of the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 tire as a solid 4.3 out of 5.
This tire has garnered highly positive reviews for its exceptional grip, precise handling, and commendable dry braking.
Additionally, its comfort and low cabin noise further contribute to its appeal.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2 receives a respectable 4.0 rating.
While it offers good dry traction and durability, the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1’s superior grip and braking capabilities make it the winner in terms of dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.
As the one providing the wet performance rating from 1 to 5, I would rate the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring tire at 4.8 and the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S at 4.2.
The Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring stands out with consistently positive reviews, highlighting its amazing wet performance, excellent wet traction, short stopping distances, and the benefits of its asymmetric tread pattern.
While the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S also performs decently in wet conditions, opinions are mixed, and its overall focus on comfort and suitability for long drives overshadow its wet performance.
Therefore, 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 Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3.
After carefully considering the research, I would rate the Cooper Discoverer True North tire with a snow performance rating of 4.7 out of 5.
This studless winter tire has received positive reviews for its excellent winter traction, handling, and braking capabilities.
The integration of Cooper’s winter tire technology further enhances its snow performance, making it a reliable choice for winter conditions.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 tire receives a snow performance rating of 4.3 out of 5.
While it offers enhanced traction and good value, it doesn’t seem to match the level of performance provided by the Cooper Discoverer True North.
Therefore, the Cooper Discoverer True North emerges as the better tire for snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Cooper | Uniroyal | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 75,000 mile 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. | Uniroyal tires are expected to last anywhere between 50,000 to 75,000 miles on average. |
After comparing the mileage warranty and average lifespan of Cooper and Uniroyal tires, it is clear that both brands offer reliable options.
Cooper tires provide an impressive treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, while Uniroyal offers up to 75,000 miles.
On average, Cooper tires last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles, while Uniroyal tires have a slightly longer lifespan ranging from 50,000 to 75,000 miles.
Both brands provide good options, but Uniroyal tires have a slight edge in terms of average lifespan.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Cooper 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:
| Cooper | Uniroyal | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $73 to $585 /ea | $78 to $307 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Evolution Winter Studded goes from $73 – $225 /ea | Tiger Paw Touring A/S DT goes from $78 – $176 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Discoverer STT Pro goes from $220 – $585 /ea | Laredo A/T goes from $139 – $307 /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 |
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 Cooper:
- Discoverer STT Pro
- Discoverer AT3 4S
- Evolution Tour
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?
After considering the dry, wet, and snow performance, as well as the mileage warranty and average lifespan, I declare Cooper as the better pick overall.
Cooper tires offer excellent performance and handling, with superior dry grip and braking capabilities.
Their wet performance is also exceptional, providing amazing traction and short stopping distances.
The Cooper Discoverer True North stands out for its excellent snow performance.
Additionally, Cooper offers a wide range of tire options and a generous treadwear warranty.
While Uniroyal provides good value and durability, Cooper emerges as the winner in this comparison.