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Best-Rated Car Tyres

See Our Ratings Methodology.

cns-msc-car-tyres-2023-small

Most Satisfied Customers | Michelin

Aussies have rated Michelin as the top brand in Canstar Blue’s latest car tyre ratings, with five stars for durability, wet weather handling, stopping ability, noise whilst driving and overall satisfaction.

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How we rate car tyres

Our review compares car tyres on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as like asking hundreds of your closest mates which car tyre they think is best!


Canstar Blue surveyed 765 Australians for their feedback on the new car tyre(s) they’ve purchased in the last two years.

  • The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics.


Respondents rate their satisfaction with their car tyre brand(s) from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Brand satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:
  • Overall satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with a car tyre brand as an individual score NOT a combined total of all criteria.
  • Durability: the car tyre handles multiple road surfaces, with its performance not diminishing more than expected over time (i.e. the car tyre doesn’t wear easily or quickly, etc.).
  • Value for money: the cost is reasonable for the quality and performance of the car tyre.
  • Wet weather handling: the car tyre handles well and as expected during wet weather conditions.
  • Stopping ability: the car tyre stops within a short and reasonable distance when the brakes are applied.
  • Dry weather handling: the car tyre handles well and as expected during dry weather conditions.
  • Noise whilst driving: the sound of the car tyre isn’t heard much from the inside of the car when travelling or driving.

The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.

  • Overall satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.
  • When we cannot determine a clear winner from the criteria for the Overall satisfaction rating, we will then look at the other criteria measured in the rating.
    • The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and thus win the award. If a clear leader still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

  • Michelin
  • Kumho
  • Pirelli
  • Bridgestone
  • Goodyear
  • Bob Jane
  • Hankook

Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.


1. Michelin


Michelin Tyre

Ratings result

Michelin was rated five stars for durability, wet weather handling, stopping ability, noise whilst driving and overall satisfaction, with four stars for value for money and dry weather handling.

Editor’s notes

French tyre manufacturer Michelin is one of the largest in the world and it has a range of other interests outside of tyres – ever heard of the Michelin Star restaurant ratings? When it comes to tyres, the Michelin Tyre Company is one of the oldest – and among the most popular – out there, with dealers across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. You can browse its tyre range by vehicle type, driving experience or product family, with a tyre selector tool also available online, allowing you to enter either your car model or specific tyre size to find a suitable match.

Michelin provides a wide range of eco-focused tyres, as well as some performance models. The performance range is called ‘Pilot Sport’, while everyday drivers may look towards Michelin’s ‘Energy’ range.

Shopping for Michelin tyres? Check out JAX Tyres & Auto

2. Kumho


Kumho Tyre

Ratings result

Kumho was rated five stars for value for money, wet weather handling and stopping ability, with four stars for noise whilst driving, dry weather handling, durability and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

South Korean car tyre brand Kumho produces a wide selection of tyres for most types of vehicles and scenarios, with tyres for passenger, 4X4, SUV, light commercial, trucks, busses and racing cars available. Kumho boasts its ESCOT (Excellent & Smart Contour Optimisation Theory) technology, which is claimed to maximise tyre performance by optimising braking capabilities and improving steering. This is said to maintain the tyre shape throughout the speed range, plus retain the tyre’s ground contact pressure distribution.

Kumho does offer one of the more affordable ranges on the market, but can still make a dent in your budget if you’re looking for more of a performance tyre, with no shortage of options available. You can further filter your tyre preference with categories such as Comfort, ECO, Performance, Sports and High Mileage, helping you to find something ideal for your car, and your wallet.

3. Pirelli


Pirelli Car Tyre

Ratings result

Pirelli was rated five stars for wet weather handling, stopping ability and dry weather handling, with four stars for durability and overall satisfaction, and three stars for noise whilst driving and value for money.

Editor’s notes

Premier Italian brand Pirelli is known for its racing pedigree and its sponsorship of various motorsports events. Its tyres feature Pirelli’s Noise Cancelling System (PNCS), claimed to reduce noise inside the vehicle. In addition, they’re boasted for Pirelli’s Seal-Inside Technology which allows you to continue to drive your car in case of a puncture.

While one of the more expensive brands available, Pirelli does break its range down further into ‘Experiences’, such as All-Terrain, City, Highway and Performance tyres to help you find a better tyre for your usual driving route, with even the ELECT range available to help boost battery range for those who get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle.

Shopping for Pirelli tyres? Check out JAX Tyres & Auto

4. Bridgestone


Bridgestone tyres review

Ratings result

Bridgestone was rated four stars for noise whilst driving, dry weather handling, stopping ability, wet weather handling, durability and overall satisfaction, with three stars for value for money.

Editor’s notes

Well-known within the market, Bridgestone has a history dating back to Japan in the early 20th century. Since then, the company has become one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the world, but its tyres can still be budget friendly. Some of the technology behind its tyres include Bridgestone’s Run Flat Tyre system, which is claimed to incorporate a reinforced, thicker sidewall to safely carry the weight of the car for a short period with no loss of driving control.

You’ll also find its Ecopia fuel-saving tyres with lower rolling resistance boasted to deliver a fuel saving of supposedly 4.2% compared to a conventional tyre. If you’re not sure what you’re after, you can also search by vehicle, rego or by tyre size, allowing you to find something that fits your preferences and driving style.

Shopping for Bridgestone tyres? Check out JAX Tyres & Auto

5. Goodyear


Goodyear tyres review

Ratings result

Goodyear was rated three stars for value for money, dry weather handling and noise whilst driving, with four stars for stopping ability, wet weather handling, durability and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Goodyear is an American tyre manufacturer that was founded in Ohio over 100 years ago. It’s claimed to be one of the first manufacturers to make tubeless tyres and supply racing tyres to Henry Ford, with the brand still sponsoring motorsports events. Some of the technologies that accompany Goodyear tyres are 3D-BIS Technology, claimed to improve tyre stiffness and stability, SoundComfort Technology to reduce interior noise, Run On Flat to keep you on the road even after a blowout, and Active Braking for supposedly better handling.

Goodyear’s Eagle range is performance-oriented, with a price tag to match, with its consumer range a lot kinder on the wallet. You can search Goodyear’s tyres by vehicle type and tyre size, or by specific characteristics such as ‘all-terrain’ and ‘wet dry performance’.

Shopping for Goodyear tyres? Check out JAX Tyres & Auto

6. Bob Jane


Bob Jane tyres review

Ratings result

Bob Jane was rated four stars for durability, wet weather handling and stopping ability, with three stars for noise whilst driving, dry weather handling, value for money and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Family-owned tyre company Bob Jane is claimed to be Australia’s largest independent tyre retailer. Named after motorsports legend Bob Jane, motorists can expect plenty of budget-friendly car tyres, with the brand also one of few not associated with selling re-tread tyres. As Bob Jane covers a wide variety of vehicle services, you can also purchase Road Hazard Warranty, which covers you for punctures, accidental cuts, accidental curb damage, impact breaks, staking, or other damages from unforeseen road hazards.

Bob Jane provides a range of its own tyres in addition to stocking other brands, with its own range including the All-Rounder, Xenon, J-Trax and Moto Sportx, looking to cover all bases when it comes to drivers.

7. Hankook


Hankook Tyre

Ratings result

Hankook was rated three stars across all ratings categories, including durability, value for money, wet weather handling, stopping ability, dry weather handling, noise whilst driving and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Based out of South Korea, Hankook is a tyre company with both an ‘everyday driver’ and ‘performance’ focus. With its tyre design, Hankook boasts an optimum proportion of Dyna-ProFET rubber and silica for reducing rotational resistance and the amount of fuel used for driving. In addition, its tyres feature Hankook’s 3-Dimensional groove pattern for improved performance on dry or wet roads. Hankook also provides tyres for SUV, 4WD, vans, buses and trucks, helping you to keep your business running smoothly as well.

Those looking for a bit more performance may be interested in Hankook’s Ventus range, while the everyday driver might be swayed by the Kinergy Eco range. Those who drive an EV might be interested in Hankook’s EV-specific iON range, which looks to increase battery range and driving stability.

8. Other car tyre brands

Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here are several more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.

  • BF Goodrich
  • Continental
  • Dunlop

  • Falken
  • Toyo
  • Yokohama

Compare more products featured in our Most Satisfied Customers Awards

Car tyre buying guide

With many brands out there, picking the best car tyres will be a daunting task for many, particularly if it’s your first time! To help you better-understand your wheels, we’ve outlined some key areas that you should take special notice of.

What tyres does my car need?

The tyres you need for your car can be determined by the tyre specifications detailed in your owner’s manual, or on the sidewall of your tyre. The specs will be a series of numbers and letters, for example: 245/40R18 93W.

What tyres does my car need?

This code relates to several requirements that are necessary to know when choosing tyres. To explain this in detail, here’s the breakdown:

  • Width (e.g. 245): refers to the tyre’s width in millimetres when it’s inflated
  • Aspect Ratio (e.g. 40): a percentage ratio indicating that the tyre height should be 40% of the tyre width (245mm), which is 98mm in this case (0.4×245)
  • Radial Construction (e.g. R): refers to the tyre construction type, with ‘R’ being the most common type
  • Rim Size (e.g. 18): refers to the wheel’s diameter in inches
  • Load Index (e.g. 93): refers to the tyre’s maximum load rating in kilograms, which is 650kg in this case
  • Speed Index (e.g. W): refers to the maximum speed at which the tyre can safely travel in km/h. In this case, the rating is ‘W’, which is 270km/h

To help maintain speed capability, and the handling characteristics of your car, it’s important to replace your tyres with a speed rating equal to or greater than that of the original tyres. Keep in mind that other tyres will also fit your car, but it’s recommended to closely follow the specifications provided by your car manufacturer.

What tyre pressure should my car tyres be?

To find out what tyre pressure your car tyres should be at, check your vehicle’s tyre placard. This can typically be found in the driver’s door jamb, otherwise, it might be located under your bonnet, in the glove box or behind the fuel filler flap. Your car’s handbook may also include the tyre pressure. Here’s an example:

Car-Tyres-Two-560x172

Source: Toyo

When should you check your tyre pressure?

It’s recommended by tyre retailers to check tyre pressure every two to four weeks. Poor tyre pressure maintenance can jeopardise your car’s performance and in turn, your safety. As tyre pressure naturally decreases over time, it’s important to check it regularly to help optimise tyre life and fuel consumption. Tyre pressure checks can also help identify any damage or punctures in your tyres.

How long should car tyres last?

How long car tyres should last will be dependent on a number of factors, such as the brand, tyre type, type of driving your doing as well as the temperature and climate you live in. Most retailers recommend at least replacing tyres every 10 years, but if you’re regularly driving, you’ll likely be replacing it before then, as the wear and tear will whither down how much tread you have on your tyre, which ultimately affects its handling, and its safety.

As a result, it’s recommended to continuously check the tread depth of your tyres, and look to thoroughly inspect them on a more regular basis once they hit the five-year mark.

Can I replace just one tyre?

While you’d generally look to replace all of your tyres at around the same time, sometimes life just doesn’t let that happen, with a flat tyre, or a fender-bender prompting thoughts of rolling down to the shops for a replacement tyre (if you don’t already have a spare in the boot).

From a legal perspective, there is no law or regulation in Australia against replacing just one tyre on your vehicle, although it isn’t recommended. Neither is mixing and matching the tyre brands you have on a vehicle (i.e. don’t use more than one tyre brand at a single time). The reason being is that replacing all four tyres at the same time ensures that the vehicle is evenly balanced as all four tyres behave the same way, allowing the vehicle to move as it should when accelerating, braking and turning.

Replacing just one tyre can also cause a difference in traction due to the different levels of tread on the tyres. Putting one brand new tyre – with a full tread – on a car where the other three tyres have a far lower tread, can make the car feel different, and potentially perform differently, particularly in vehicles with AWD.

If you do purchase just one new tyre, many retailers and tyre manufacturers look at ‘shaving’ the tyre so that the tread length is similar to prevent any difference in traction or control, although this may cost you a bit extra. Alternatively, online forums are full of recommendations of buying two tyres and rotating your old tyres to keep your vehicle balanced, although this will depend on if your car is a front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or AWD.

  • If you do replace just one tyre, it’s recommended that you replace it with the same size and brand for consistency.

In Australia, the legal tyre tread depth is 1.5mm, with a tread depth between 1.5 and 1.6mm. However, 1.6mm is considered worn out and must be replaced. A new tyre typically has a tread depth close to 8.0mm. NRMA recommends you should start searching for new tyres once the tread depth hits 3.0mm.

All car tyres have tread wear indicators in the tread grooves. The tyre’s tread grooves are designed to disperse water away from the tyre’s contact patch when roads are wet. Once they wear out, the tyre should be replaced.

How much do car tyres cost?

Depending on the tyre size, brand and car type, tyres can cost from $70 to $800+. However, most car tyre brands and retailers offer deals such as ‘buy three get one free’, allowing you to potentially save when replacing your tyres.

About our consumer experts


Dean Heckscher: Site Editor

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.

 

Meet the Editorial Team

 

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Sam Howse Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.

 

Meet the Research Team

Car Tyre Load Index

LOAD INDEX LOAD AT MAX PSI (Kg) LOAD INDEX LOAD AT MAX PSI (Kg) LOAD INDEX LOAD AT MAX PSI (Kg)
70 335 92 630 114 1,180
71 345 93 650 115  1,215
72 355 94 670 116  1,250
73 365 95 690 117  1,285
74 375 96 710 118  1,320
75 387 97 730 119  1,360
76 400 98 750 120  1,400
77 412 99 775 121  1,450
78 425 100 800 122  1,500
79 437 101 825 123  1,550
80 450 102 850 124  1,600
81 462 103 875 125  1,650
82 475 104 900 126  1,700
83 487 105 925 127  1,750
84 500 106 950 128  1,800
85 515 107 975 129  1,850
86 530 108 1,000 130  1,900
87 545 109 1,030 131  1,950
88 560 110  1,060 132  2,000
89 580 111  1,090 133  2,060
90 600 112  1,120 134  2,120
91 615 113  1,150 135  2,180

Car Tyre Speed Index

SPEED SYMBOL SPEED (KM/H)
G up to 90
J up to 100
K up to 110
L up to 120
M up to 130
N up to 140
P up to 150
Q up to 160
R up to 170
S up to 180
T up to 190
U up to 200
H up to 210
V up to 240
W up to 270
Y up to 300
ZR >240
(Y) >300

Past Ratings

Here are the past winners from Canstar Blue’s car tyre ratings:

  • 2022: Pirelli
  • 2021: Dunlop
  • 2020: Dunlop
  • 2019: Michelin
  • 2018: Michelin
  • 2017: Pirelli
  • 2016: Michelin
  • 2015: Michelin
  • 2014: Pirelli

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