As an avid driver, I constantly seek the perfect tires to enhance my driving experience.
Today, we delve into the world of tire brands and compare two giants: Firestone vs Nokian.
In this post, we’ll explore their rich histories, dissect their dry, wet, and snow performances, analyze their mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, and uncover their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Get ready to discover the tire brand that will revolutionize your driving!
Firestone vs Nokian – Comparison Table
| Firestone | Nokian | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Finland |
| Year Founded | 1900 | 1988 |
| Made In | United States, Vietnam, Brazil, Canada, and Costa Rica | Finland and Russia |
| Parent | Bridgestone Corporation (Japan) | Nokian Tyres plc (Finland) |
About the Brands
1. 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
2. Nokian
Nokian Tyres, a renowned tire brand, was founded in Finland in 1988 and is currently a subsidiary of Nokian Tyres plc.
With a rich history spanning over three decades, Nokian has established itself as a leading global tire manufacturer.
The brand’s commitment to innovation and high-quality products has earned it a strong reputation in the industry.
Nokian is particularly known for its expertise in winter tires, thanks to its Finnish roots and the country’s demanding weather conditions.
The brand’s tires are designed to provide exceptional grip, safety, and durability in harsh winter conditions, making them popular worldwide.
Nokian’s continuous research and development efforts have resulted in numerous breakthroughs, including the introduction of unique technologies and eco-friendly materials in their tire manufacturing processes.
Today, Nokian Tyres continues to deliver cutting-edge tire solutions, catering to diverse customer needs across different regions.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Light trucks
- Heavy machinery
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 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 vs the Nokian zLine.
In my assessment, as a tire performance evaluator, I rate the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 with a commendable 4.5 out of 5 for dry performance.
This tire has received high praise for its exceptional handling, precise cornering abilities, swift response to steering input, excellent grip and stability, and a comfortable, quiet ride.
With its advanced features like the new tread compound and wide shoulder blocks, it excels in providing both performance and comfort, indicating strong dry performance capabilities.
On the other hand, the Nokian zLine showcases a solid 4.2 out of 5 for dry performance.
It is noteworthy for its precise handling, good dry traction, and sporty performance characteristics.
The tire’s asymmetrical tread design contributes to confident and responsive driving on dry roads, offering an exhilarating and sporty driving experience.
Based on my evaluation, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 emerges as the superior tire for dry performance, with its slightly higher rating and exceptional features.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Firestone WeatherGrip vs the Nokian WR G4.
As someone who has evaluated the wet performance of both the Firestone WeatherGrip and the Nokian WR G4 tires, I would rate the Firestone WeatherGrip at 4.3 out of 5.
Its features, such as shorter braking distances and hydroplaning resistance, indicate good wet traction.
The tire’s all-season design and open shoulder slots further support its wet performance capabilities.
On the other hand, the Nokian WR G4 tire received a wet performance rating of 4.6 out of 5.
It offers excellent wet grip, good wet cornering, and stability.
With both tires providing similar wet performance levels, it’s a tie between the two.
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 – Firestone Winterforce 2 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
In my assessment of snow performance, I would rate the Firestone Winterforce 2 tire at 4.5 out of 5.
With a cold weather compound, it maintains flexibility and grip in low temperatures, enhancing traction on snowy and icy surfaces.
The inclusion of open shoulder slots and sipes in the tread improves grip on snow.
Additionally, its 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification confirms its reliable traction in snowy conditions.
On the other hand, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 tire receives a rating of 4.8 out of 5 for its Double Block Grip design, providing enhanced grip and traction.
Its eco-friendly focus is commendable.
Given their similar snow performance levels, I declare it a tie.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Firestone | Nokian | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 55,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Firestone tires are expected to last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on average. | The lifespan of Nokian tires can vary but on average they can last anywhere between 40,000 to 85,000 miles. |
Based on my research, the Nokian tires offer a longer mileage warranty compared to the Firestone tires.
Nokian provides a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, while Firestone offers up to 55,000 miles.
However, when it comes to the average lifespan, both brands have similar ranges.
Firestone tires generally last between 40,000 to 60,000 miles, whereas Nokian tires can last from 40,000 to 85,000 miles.
Overall, Nokian tires tend to have a slightly longer average lifespan, but the difference is not significant.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Firestone vs Nokian.
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:
| Firestone | Nokian | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $82 to $603 /ea | $73 to $585 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | FT140 goes from $82 – $170 /ea | Nordman 7 goes from $73 – $177 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Destination M/T 2 goes from $229 – $603 /ea | Hakkapeliitta 10SUV goes from $173 – $696 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
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 |
Nokian
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Your go-to brand for winter tires and only tire manufacturer in the world with its own permanent winter tire testing facility | ❌ Limited market presence |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, and heavy-duty equipment | |
| ✔ Innovative technology, such as the Hakkapeliitta R3’s “Aramid Sidewall Technology,” which uses the same material used in bulletproof vests |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Firestone:
- Destination LE3
- Firehawk Indy 500
- WeatherGrip
Some of Nokian’s best tires are shown below:
- Hakkapeliitta R3
- WR G4
- Rotiiva AT Plus
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the criteria of dry performance, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 emerges as the superior tire.
However, in terms of wet performance and snow performance, both brands are closely matched, resulting in a tie.
While Nokian offers a longer mileage warranty, the average lifespan of both brands is similar.
Considering all these factors, the Firestone brand edges slightly ahead as the better pick overall.
