When it comes to choosing the perfect tires for your vehicle, the decision can be overwhelming.
Goodyear vs Nokian, two renowned brands, have been dominating the market for years.
In this post, I’ll delve into the depths of each brand, comparing their histories, performances in dry, wet, and snow conditions, mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, and uncovering their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Let’s dive in!
Goodyear vs Nokian – Comparison Table
| Goodyear | Nokian | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Finland |
| Year Founded | 1898 | 1988 |
| Made In | mostly in Akron, United States, but the company also has factories in Venezuela, India, Turkey, and Malaysia | Finland and Russia |
| Parent | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA) | Nokian Tyres plc (Finland) |
About the Brands
1. Goodyear
The Goodyear brand, founded in 1898 in the United States, is a renowned tire manufacturer and a subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
It has a rich history that spans over a century.
Goodyear has consistently displayed a commitment to innovation, quality, and performance.
Throughout the years, they have developed groundbreaking technologies and patented tire designs that revolutionized the industry.
The brand’s success can be attributed to its dedication to providing reliable tires for various vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and aircraft.
Goodyear’s products have garnered a reputation for their durability, traction, and superior handling.
Over time, the company has expanded its global footprint, establishing a strong presence in numerous countries.
Today, Goodyear remains a trusted and respected name in the tire industry, continuously pushing boundaries to meet the evolving needs of consumers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Commercial trucks
- Buses
- Motorcycles
- Racing cars
- Farm equipment
- Heavy earth-moving machinery
- Aircraft
- Bicycles
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 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 vs the Nokian zLine.
In my opinion as the one assigning the dry performance rating from 1 to 5, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 scores higher with a rating of 4.5 compared to the Nokian zLine’s rating of 4.2.
The Goodyear tire excels in various aspects, including short dry braking distance, good handling speed, and impressive dry traction.
While the Nokian zLine also offers precise handling, good dry traction, and a sporty performance, the Goodyear tire edges ahead.
Therefore, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 emerges as the better choice for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady vs the Nokian WR G4.
In my evaluation of the wet performance of the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady and the Nokian WR G4 tires, I have given them respective ratings of 4.3 and 4.6 out of 5.
The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady showcases an asymmetric tread pattern and traction grooves, indicating its ability to provide reliable wet traction.
Positive feedback on handling and traction from a review supports its wet performance.
On the other hand, the Nokian WR G4 offers excellent wet grip and stability, aided by its asymmetric tread design and all-weather functionality.
Considering the slightly higher rating for the Nokian WR G4, it emerges as the winner in terms of 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 – Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
In my evaluation, I rate the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT tire with a snow performance score of 4.4 out of 5.
It showcases Winter Reactive Technology, a Winter Grip compound, and a directional tread design that enhances traction on snow and ice.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 receives a snow performance score of 4.8 out of 5, featuring a Double Block Grip design and a focus on eco-friendliness.
Both tires offer reliable snow performance, but the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 edges slightly ahead.
Therefore, I declare the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 as the better tire for snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Goodyear | Nokian | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Goodyear tires are expected to last anywhere between 30,000 to 65,000 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, both Goodyear and Nokian offer treadwear warranties of up to 80,000 miles.
However, when it comes to average lifespan, Nokian tires tend to outperform Goodyear.
On average, Goodyear tires last between 30,000 to 65,000 miles, while Nokian tires can last anywhere between 40,000 to 85,000 miles.
This suggests that Nokian tires may offer a longer lifespan compared to Goodyear tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Goodyear 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:
| Goodyear | Nokian | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $75 to $1,027 /ea | $73 to $585 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Eagle RS-A goes from $75 – $299 /ea | Nordman 7 goes from $73 – $177 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Eagle NCT5 goes from $317 – $1,027 /ea | Hakkapeliitta 10SUV goes from $173 – $696 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Goodyear
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles | ❌ Goodyear tires can be more expensive compared to other brands |
| ✔ Goodyear tires are known for their high quality and durability | |
| ✔ Long history of producing specialized tires for racing |
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 Goodyear:
- Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
- Assurance WeatherReady
- Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
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 comparison of dry performance, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 emerges as the better choice.
However, in terms of wet performance, the Nokian WR G4 takes the lead.
When it comes to snow performance, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is the superior option.
Regarding mileage warranty and average lifespan, Nokian tires tend to have a longer lifespan.
Considering these factors, it is clear that both brands have their strengths, but overall, Nokian emerges as the better pick.
