When it comes to choosing the right tires for your vehicle, the options can be overwhelming.
That’s why I decided to delve into the Dunlop vs Uniroyal debate and provide you with a comprehensive comparison.
In this post, I’ll explore the rich histories of these two tire brands, examine their performance in dry, wet, and snowy conditions, analyze their mileage warranties and average lifespan, consider their prices, and weigh their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand emerges as the ultimate champion.
Dunlop vs Uniroyal – Comparison Table
| Dunlop | Uniroyal | |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | United States |
| Year Founded | 1889 | 1892 |
| Made In | Germany or Japan | United States, with their main manufacturing facility located in Woodburn, Indiana |
| Parent | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA), Sumitomo Rubber Industries (Japan) & Continental AG (Germany) | Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA (France) & Continental AG (Germany) |
About the Brands
1. Dunlop
The Dunlop tire brand, founded in 1889 in the United Kingdom, has a rich and storied history.
It was established by John Boyd Dunlop, who invented the first practical pneumatic tire.
Dunlop quickly gained popularity and became a leading tire manufacturer, known for its innovative designs and high-quality products.
Over the years, the company expanded its operations globally, offering a wide range of tires for various applications.
In 1999, Dunlop became a subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, a prominent American tire manufacturer.
This acquisition brought together two industry giants, combining their expertise and resources.
Under Goodyear’s ownership, Dunlop continued to thrive, benefiting from the parent company’s global reach and advanced technologies.
Today, Dunlop remains a trusted and respected brand in the tire industry, known for its commitment to performance, durability, and safety.
It continues to innovate and develop cutting-edge tire technologies, catering to the diverse needs of drivers worldwide.
With its strong legacy and the backing of Goodyear, Dunlop continues to be a symbol of excellence in the tire market.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Motorcycles
- Commercial trucks
- ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles)
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 Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT2 vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
In my evaluation, the Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT2 receives a dry performance rating of 4.4 out of 5.
Its reputation for excellent dry performance, exceptional grip and handling, short braking distances, and increased steering precision make it a standout choice.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2 receives a rating of 4.0 out of 5, offering good dry traction and a balanced capability for everyday drivers.
Hence, the Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT2 emerges as the better tire for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Dunlop Signature HP vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.
In my opinion, as the one giving the wet performance rating, I would rate the Dunlop Signature HP tire slightly higher at 4.4 out of 5.
This tire has been commended for its impressive wet traction, all-season capability, and the advantages of its asymmetric tread pattern and enhanced all-season compound.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S tire receives a respectable rating of 4.2 out of 5.
While it offers good grip on wet surfaces, opinions about its wet performance compared to dry roads are mixed.
Therefore, I would declare the Dunlop Signature HP as the winner for wet performance, but the difference is minimal, making it a close call.
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 – Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 vs Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3.
Based on my research and snow performance ratings, I would rate the Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 tire at 4.6 out of 5.
It offers reliable snow performance with its rubber compound and asymmetric tread design, as supported by reviews highlighting its confident traction and excellent grip levels.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 tire receives a rating of 4.3 out of 5, indicating its reliability in snowy conditions and enhanced traction.
Considering these ratings, I declare the Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 as the better tire for snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Dunlop | Uniroyal | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 60,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 75,000 mile tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Dunlop tires have an average lifespan of 15,000 to 50,000 miles. | Uniroyal tires are expected to last anywhere between 50,000 to 75,000 miles on average. |
Based on my research, the mileage warranty and average lifespan of Dunlop and Uniroyal tires differ.
Dunlop offers a treadwear warranty of up to 60,000 miles, while Uniroyal provides a warranty of up to 75,000 miles.
On average, Dunlop tires last between 15,000 to 50,000 miles, whereas Uniroyal tires have a lifespan of 50,000 to 75,000 miles.
Uniroyal tires tend to have a longer average lifespan and a higher mileage warranty compared to Dunlop tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Dunlop 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:
| Dunlop | Uniroyal | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $86 to $857 /ea | $78 to $307 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Winter Maxx 2 goes from $86 – $162 /ea | Tiger Paw Touring A/S DT goes from $78 – $176 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | SP Sport Maxx GT goes from $315 – $857 /ea | Laredo A/T goes from $139 – $307 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Dunlop
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Dunlop tires have good handling | ❌ Complaints about their tread life |
| ✔ Solid overall performance | |
| ✔ Low pressure |
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 Dunlop:
- Direzza ZIII
- Signature HP
- Grandtrek AT20
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?
Considering the dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, and lifespan, it is clear that Dunlop tires have the edge.
With excellent dry performance, impressive wet traction, and reliable snow performance, they offer a well-rounded package.
Although Uniroyal provides good value and durability, Dunlop’s superior ratings in these categories make it the better pick overall.
While Dunlop tires may have some complaints about tread life, their overall performance outweighs this drawback.
Therefore, Dunlop emerges as the winner in this comparison.
