As an automotive enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by the General vs Nokian debate when it comes to tire brands.
Today, I invite you to join me on a journey where we delve deep into the history of these two giants and explore their performances in dry, wet, and snowy conditions.
We’ll also examine their mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, and weigh the pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Get ready for an in-depth comparison that will leave you with a clear winner.
General vs Nokian – Comparison Table
| General | Nokian | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Finland |
| Year Founded | 1915 | 1988 |
| Made In | Waco TX, Uvalde TX, Mayfield KY, Bryan OH, Charlotte NC, and Mt. Vernon IL in the US | Finland and Russia |
| Parent | Continental AG (Germany) | Nokian Tyres plc (Finland) |
About the Brands
1. General
General Tire, founded in 1915 in the United States, has a rich history as a tire manufacturer.
Originally established as the “The General Tire & Rubber Company,” it quickly gained prominence in the automotive industry.
Over the years, the brand’s commitment to innovation and quality led to its expansion and solid reputation.
General Tire became recognized for producing high-performance tires for all types of vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs.
In 1987, the German company Continental AG acquired General Tire, further enhancing its global reach and technological advancements.
Today, General Tire continues to offer a wide range of reliable and durable tires, combining cutting-edge technology with a legacy of excellence.
With Continental AG as its parent company, General Tire remains a trusted and respected brand, providing drivers with safety, performance, and comfort on the road.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Trucks
- Crossover vehicles
- Light trucks
- Commercial vans
- Off-road vehicles
- All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
- Performance vehicles
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 General G-MAX RS vs the Nokian zLine.
In my evaluation, as the one assigning dry performance ratings from 1 to 5, the General G-MAX RS stands out with a commendable rating of 4.8.
This tire excels in multiple areas, including precise handling, strong braking, and sure-footed grip with Smart Grip Technology.
Its ultra-high-performance design further emphasizes its capacity for enhanced traction and control, promising an exhilarating driving experience.
On the other hand, the Nokian zLine receives a respectable rating of 4.2, showcasing precise handling, good dry traction, and a sporty performance.
While both tires offer commendable dry performance, the General G-MAX RS emerges as the winner with its slightly higher rating.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the General AltiMAX RT43 vs the Nokian WR G4.
As the one giving the wet performance rating from 1 to 5, I have evaluated the General AltiMAX RT43 and Nokian WR G4 tires.
The General AltiMAX RT43 showcases good wet performance with a rating of 4.4.
It provides admirable traction and consistent performance in wet conditions.
On the other hand, the Nokian WR G4 tire boasts excellent wet performance with a rating of 4.6.
It offers outstanding wet grip, stability, and control, thanks to its all-weather design and asymmetric tread pattern.
Therefore, the Nokian WR G4 emerges as the superior choice for wet performance, outshining the General AltiMAX RT43 by a slight margin.
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 – General AltiMAX Arctic vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
Based on my research and personal snow performance rating, I would conclude that both the General AltiMAX Arctic and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 tires offer excellent snow performance.
The General AltiMAX Arctic receives a rating of 4.6, showcasing reliable traction and grip on various winter surfaces.
On the other hand, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 achieves a slightly higher rating of 4.8, emphasizing its Double Block Grip design and eco-friendliness.
Therefore, I declare the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 as the winner in terms of snow performance, although both tires perform exceptionally well.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| General | Nokian | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 65,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | General tires have an average lifespan of around 30,000 to 75,000 miles. | 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 mileage warranty and average lifespan of General and Nokian tires differ slightly.
General tires offer a treadwear warranty of up to 65,000 miles, while Nokian tires provide a warranty of up to 80,000 miles.
On average, General tires can last anywhere from 30,000 to 75,000 miles, while Nokian tires tend to have a lifespan of approximately 40,000 to 85,000 miles.
These figures suggest that Nokian tires generally offer a slightly longer lifespan and higher mileage warranty compared to General tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – General 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:
| General | Nokian | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $71 to $595 /ea | $73 to $585 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Altimax RT43 goes from $71 – $187 /ea | Nordman 7 goes from $73 – $177 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Grabber X3 goes from $238 – $595 /ea | Hakkapeliitta 10SUV goes from $173 – $696 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
General
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Excellent price performance ratio, providing good value for their price | ❌ General tires are generally considered to be in the mid-range segment |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles | |
| ✔ Availability |
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 General:
- Grabber A/T X
- Altimax RT43
- Grabber HTS60
Some of Nokian’s best tires are shown below:
- Hakkapeliitta R3
- WR G4
- Rotiiva AT Plus
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Considering the dry performance, the General G-MAX RS stands out with a rating of 4.8, while the Nokian zLine receives a rating of 4.2.
In terms of wet performance, the General AltiMAX RT43 scores 4.4, while the Nokian WR G4 achieves 4.6.
For snow performance, both the General AltiMAX Arctic and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 excel, with the Nokian tire slightly edging ahead.
Nokian also offers a longer mileage warranty and tends to have a slightly longer average lifespan.
Therefore, based on these factors, Nokian emerges as the better pick overall.
