As an automotive enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the tire industry and the constant battle between different brands.
Today, I want to delve into the Firestone vs Uniroyal rivalry and discover which brand comes out on top.
In this post, we’ll explore their histories, analyze their dry, wet, and snow performances, examine their mileage warranties, average lifespans, prices, and weigh the pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
So let’s dive in and uncover the ultimate tire champion!
Firestone vs Uniroyal – Comparison Table
| Firestone | Uniroyal | |
| Country of Origin | United States | United States |
| Year Founded | 1900 | 1892 |
| Made In | United States, Vietnam, Brazil, Canada, and Costa Rica | United States, with their main manufacturing facility located in Woodburn, Indiana |
| Parent | Bridgestone Corporation (Japan) | Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA (France) & Continental AG (Germany) |
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. 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 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
In my opinion, after thoroughly researching and evaluating the dry performance of both tires, I would rate the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 with a 4.5 out of 5.
This tire has shown outstanding qualities in terms of handling, cornering, grip, stability, and overall comfort.
With its new tread compound and wide shoulder blocks, it excels in providing both performance and comfort on dry surfaces.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2 receives a rating of 4.0 out of 5.
While it offers good traction and durability, it falls slightly behind in terms of overall dry performance.
Therefore, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 takes the lead in dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Firestone WeatherGrip vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.
In my assessment, after considering the wet performance ratings and research, I would rate the Firestone WeatherGrip a 4.3 out of 5 for its excellent wet traction capabilities.
The tire’s features like shorter braking distances and hydroplaning resistance contribute to its high wet performance score.
Furthermore, its all-season design ensures reliable traction in various weather conditions.
Similarly, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S tire receives a 4.2 out of 5 for its decent wet performance, attributed to its all-season compound and high sipe density.
Although opinions vary on its wet performance compared to dry roads, it still provides satisfactory traction.
Hence, both tires offer similar wet performance levels, resulting in a tie.
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 Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3.
In my opinion, as the one giving the snow performance rating from 1 to 5, the Firestone Winterforce 2 tire offers better snow performance with a rating of 4.5.
Its cold weather compound and the inclusion of open shoulder slots and sipes in the tread contribute to enhanced traction on snowy and icy surfaces.
Additionally, its 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification confirms its reliability in snowy conditions.
Although the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 tire also performs well with a rating of 4.3, the slight advantage of the Firestone Winterforce 2 tire makes it the winner in terms of snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Firestone | Uniroyal | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 55,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 75,000 mile tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Firestone tires are expected to last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on average. | Uniroyal tires are expected to last anywhere between 50,000 to 75,000 miles on average. |
After my research, I found that Firestone and Uniroyal tires offer different mileage warranties and average lifespans.
Firestone tires come with a mileage warranty of up to 55,000 miles, while Uniroyal tires offer a higher mileage warranty of up to 75,000 miles.
On average, Firestone tires last between 40,000 to 60,000 miles, whereas Uniroyal tires have an average lifespan of 50,000 to 75,000 miles.
Therefore, Uniroyal tires tend to have a longer expected lifespan compared to Firestone tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Firestone 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:
| Firestone | Uniroyal | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $82 to $603 /ea | $78 to $307 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | FT140 goes from $82 – $170 /ea | Tiger Paw Touring A/S DT goes from $78 – $176 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Destination M/T 2 goes from $229 – $603 /ea | Laredo A/T goes from $139 – $307 /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 |
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 Firestone:
- Destination LE3
- Firehawk Indy 500
- WeatherGrip
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 carefully considering the dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, average lifespan, and pros and cons of both Firestone and Uniroyal tires, I declare Firestone as the better pick overall.
With its exceptional dry performance, excellent wet traction, and impressive snow performance, Firestone tires offer a winning combination of performance and safety.
Although Uniroyal has its strengths, Firestone’s overall performance and reputation give it the edge.
