Sumitomo vs Uniroyal – two tire brands that have gained significant recognition in the automotive industry.
In this post, I’ll be delving into the depths of their history, examining their performances in dry, wet, and snow conditions, exploring their mileage warranties and average lifespan, comparing their prices, and uncovering their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Get ready for an enlightening journey into the world of tires!
Sumitomo vs Uniroyal – Comparison Table
| Sumitomo | Uniroyal | |
| Country of Origin | Japan | United States |
| Year Founded | 1909 | 1892 |
| Made In | Japan and the United States | United States, with their main manufacturing facility located in Woodburn, Indiana |
| Parent | Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (Japan) | Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA (France) & Continental AG (Germany) |
About the Brands
1. Sumitomo
Sumitomo, a renowned tire brand, has a rich history that began in 1909 in Japan.
Founded by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, the company has become a global leader in the tire industry.
With over a century of expertise, Sumitomo has established a reputation for producing high-quality and reliable tires for various vehicles.
Over the years, Sumitomo has continuously evolved its tire manufacturing techniques, incorporating cutting-edge technology and innovative designs.
This commitment to innovation has allowed Sumitomo to offer a wide range of tire options suitable for diverse road conditions and vehicle types.
As a Japanese brand, Sumitomo has embraced the country’s ethos of precision engineering and meticulous attention to detail.
This commitment to excellence has earned the brand a loyal customer base worldwide.
Today, Sumitomo tires are known for their durability, performance, and excellent traction, providing drivers with a safe and comfortable driving experience.
With its longstanding history and affiliation with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, the Sumitomo brand remains a trusted choice for drivers seeking superior tires that combine Japanese craftsmanship, innovation, and reliability.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Medium trucks
- High-performance and racing vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Agricultural applications
- Commercial vehicles
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 Sumitomo HTR Z5 vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
As someone who has evaluated the dry performance of both the Sumitomo HTR Z5 and the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2, I would rate the HTR Z5 slightly higher at 4.4 out of 5.
The HTR Z5 showcases excellent dry handling and is optimized for maximum performance in summer conditions.
Its wide circumferential grooves further enhance dry traction.
Although the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2 also performs well with a rating of 4.0, the HTR Z5 edges ahead in terms of grip, stability, and control.
Hence, the Sumitomo HTR Z5 emerges as the winner in terms of dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.
In my opinion, after evaluating the wet performance of the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 and the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S tires, I rate the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 slightly higher at 4.4 out of 5.
This rating indicates that the Sumitomo tire offers good wet traction, thanks to its silica-enhanced tread compound and asymmetric tread pattern.
Although there are limited details about wet braking, the tire’s design suggests satisfactory performance.
The Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S tire also performs well in wet conditions, with a rating of 4.2 out of 5.
While both tires provide traction, the Sumitomo tire edges slightly ahead in 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 – Sumitomo Ice Edge vs Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3.
Based on my research, as the one giving the snow performance rating from 1 to 5, I would rate the Sumitomo Ice Edge tire as 4.5 for its reliable snow performance, advanced technology, excellent traction, good snow performance, studdable option, and cold-weather compound.
Similarly, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 tire receives a rating of 4.3 for its reliable snow performance, enhanced traction, improved grip, studdable option, and good value.
Therefore, both tires offer similar levels of snow performance, resulting in a tie.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Sumitomo | Uniroyal | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 90,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 75,000 mile tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Overall, Sumitomo tires are known to have a relatively high lifespan, with most models lasting between 55,000 to 70,000 miles. | Uniroyal tires are expected to last anywhere between 50,000 to 75,000 miles on average. |
Based on my research, Sumitomo tires offer a mileage warranty of up to 90,000 miles, while Uniroyal tires provide a warranty of up to 75,000 miles.
On average, Sumitomo tires tend to have a relatively high lifespan of 55,000 to 70,000 miles, while Uniroyal tires are expected to last between 50,000 to 75,000 miles.
Both brands offer decent mileage warranties, with Sumitomo having a slight edge in terms of maximum mileage warranty.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Sumitomo 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:
| Sumitomo | Uniroyal | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $84 to $475 /ea | $78 to $307 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | HTR Enhance LX2 goes from $84 – $162 /ea | Tiger Paw Touring A/S DT goes from $78 – $176 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Encounter AT goes from $146 – $475 /ea | Laredo A/T goes from $139 – $307 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Sumitomo
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Generally considered to have good performance, including grip, handling, and braking | ❌ None |
| ✔ Sumitomo tires are known for their affordable prices | |
| ✔ Widely available |
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 Sumitomo:
- HTR A/S P02
- HTR Enhance L/X
- HTR Z5
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?
Based on the evaluation of dry performance, the Sumitomo HTR Z5 outperforms the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
In terms of wet performance, the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 also takes the lead.
However, when it comes to snow performance, both the Sumitomo Ice Edge and Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 offer similar levels of performance.
In terms of mileage warranty, Sumitomo provides a higher maximum mileage warranty of 90,000 miles compared to Uniroyal’s 75,000 miles.
Taking all these factors into account, Sumitomo emerges as the better overall pick between the two brands.
