When it comes to choosing the perfect tires for your vehicle, the options can seem overwhelming.
Among the top contenders in the market, Firestone vs Toyo stand out as two renowned brands worth exploring.
In this post, I’ll dive deep into their histories and thoroughly compare their dry, wet, and snow performances.
We’ll also delve into mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, and weigh the pros and cons of each.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Get ready for an in-depth analysis that will revolutionize your tire-buying decisions.
Firestone vs Toyo – Comparison Table
| Firestone | Toyo | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Japan |
| Year Founded | 1900 | 1945 |
| Made In | United States, Vietnam, Brazil, Canada, and Costa Rica | Japan, Malaysia or the United States |
| Parent | Bridgestone Corporation (Japan) | Toyo Tire Corporation (Japan) |
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. Toyo
Toyo Tire Corporation, a renowned Japanese brand, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1945.
Founded in Japan, Toyo has grown to become a leading global tire manufacturer.
Operating under the parent company Toyo Tire Corporation, they have built a reputation for providing high-quality tires for a diverse range of vehicles.
Over the years, Toyo has developed advanced tire technologies and innovative designs to meet the evolving needs of drivers around the world.
With a strong commitment to performance, safety, and durability, Toyo has become a trusted choice for drivers seeking reliable tires.
With its Japanese heritage and global presence, Toyo continues to push the boundaries of tire engineering, ensuring exceptional performance and driving experiences for customers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Light trucks
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- High-performance cars
- Luxury cars
- Family cars
- Trucks
- Buses
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 Toyo Proxes R1R.
In my evaluation, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 receives a dry performance rating of 4.5 out of 5.
It demonstrates exceptional handling, cornering, and responsiveness to steering input.
With its new tread compound, wide shoulder blocks, and a perfect balance between performance and comfort, this tire exhibits strong capabilities in dry conditions.
Similarly, the Toyo Proxes R1R earns an overall performance rating of 4.4 out of 5, showcasing remarkable dry traction and handling.
Its arrowhead tread design, high-grip compound, and block stiffness during aggressive braking contribute to its strong performance score.
Ultimately, both tires offer similar levels of dry performance, making it a tie.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Firestone WeatherGrip vs the Toyo Proxes Sport A/S.
Based on my research and personal rating, I would give the Firestone WeatherGrip a wet performance rating of 4.3 out of 5.
With features like shorter braking distances and hydroplaning resistance, it offers good wet traction and safety.
The design elements, including open shoulder slots, further enhance its ability to resist hydroplaning.
On the other hand, the Toyo Proxes Sport A/S tire receives a wet performance rating of 4.6 out of 5.
It excels in wet braking performance and offers reliable traction on wet roads.
Considering the slightly higher rating, the Toyo Proxes Sport A/S 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 – Firestone Winterforce 2 vs Toyo Observe GSi-6.
In my evaluation as the one giving the snow performance rating from 1 to 5, both the Firestone Winterforce 2 and Toyo Observe GSi-6 tires demonstrate exceptional snow performance.
With a rating of 4.5 out of 5, the Firestone Winterforce 2 exhibits reliable traction on snowy and icy surfaces, featuring a cold weather compound, open shoulder slots, and sipes.
Similarly, the Toyo Observe GSi-6 also rates 4.5 out of 5, showcasing Microbit studless technology, serrated stability ribs, high-grip silica compound, and an aggressive tread design.
Therefore, it is a tie between the two, as they both offer commendable snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Firestone | Toyo | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 55,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 65,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Firestone tires are expected to last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on average. | The actual lifespan of Toyo tires can range from 40,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Based on my research, Firestone tires come with a treadwear warranty of up to 55,000 miles, while Toyo tires offer a warranty of up to 65,000 miles.
This means that Toyo tires have a slightly higher mileage warranty.
However, when it comes to average lifespan, both brands are quite similar.
Firestone tires can typically last between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on average, and the same goes for Toyo tires.
So, in terms of longevity, both brands offer comparable performance.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Firestone vs Toyo.
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 | Toyo | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $82 to $603 /ea | $82 to $1,030 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | FT140 goes from $82 – $170 /ea | Extensa HP II goes from $82 – $253 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Destination M/T 2 goes from $229 – $603 /ea | Open Country M/T goes from $297 – $1,030 /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 |
Toyo
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Generally considered to be of high quality, offering durability and reliability | ❌ Some of their tires can get expensive |
| ✔ Toyo offers a wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles and driving needs, including all-season, summer, and winter tires | |
| ✔ Excellent traction and handling in rugged terrain |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Firestone:
- Destination LE3
- Firehawk Indy 500
- WeatherGrip
Some of Toyo’s best tires are shown below:
- Proxes Sport
- Open Country A/T III
- Extensa A/S II
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the evaluation, both Firestone and Toyo offer strong dry performance, making it a tie in that category.
However, Toyo takes the lead in wet performance with a rating of 4.6 out of 5, while Firestone scores 4.3 out of 5.
In terms of snow performance, both brands earn a rating of 4.5 out of 5, resulting in a tie.
When it comes to mileage warranty, Toyo has a slight advantage with up to 65,000 miles compared to Firestone’s 55,000 miles.
Overall, considering the wet performance and mileage warranty, Toyo emerges as the better pick.