The best car tires in the UK 2023

Adopting good driving habits and taking care of your tires can help extend their life. But inevitably, at some point you'll need to change them. That's why we've put together this guide to buying the best car tires. Snow tires, 4-season tires, winter tires or others, you will find here the information you need to make an informed choice.

Goodyear Vector Gen2 1
9/10

Editor's Choice

Goodyear Vector Gen2

Best car tire in 2021

Offering top performance all year round, the Goodyear Vector is one of the best tires on the market. Its deep three-dimensional grooves are suitable for all types of soil.

61,20 £ on Norauto

Designed for year-round safety, the Goodyear Vector Gen2 is perfectly suited to deal with aquaplaning during winter seasons. It offers good grip on both wet and dry surfaces. Thanks to the diagonal grooves, it instantly evacuates water and moisture, for increased safety while driving. Its rubber design also allows it to effectively resist rolling.

With low noise and energy class C, this car tire does not wear out quickly and has a relatively long service life. Stability and handling on all terrains are enhanced by rigid blocks, which are very effective in difficult turns. The SmartRED technology improves driving comfort.

Hankook Kinergy 4S2 2
8/10

Best entry-level

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

Best entry-level car tire

Hankook's goal with its Kinergy 4S2 is to provide reliable driving 365 days a year without changing tires. It also impresses with its short braking distances and low rolling noise.

55,12 £ on Norauto

The structure of the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is made of high-grip silica. This ensures exceptional wet grip even at very low temperatures. In addition, the seamless reinforced belt cover ensures high tread rigidity. Ensuring safety and grip in all conditions took a lot of work for the designers of the Kinergy 4S2.

As you can see, the ride results with the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 car tire are more than satisfactory. The patterns with wide, wide-angle side grooves divert 2 to 3 times more water than conventional solutions. As a result, the risk of aquaplaning is significantly reduced.

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 3
9/10

Best high-end

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3

Best premium car tire

The Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 continues the tradition of Hankook's ultra-high performance tires. Like the S1 Evo 2, it offers a very safe, sporty, yet comfortable driving experience on wet or dry roads.

88,80 £ on Norauto

In addition to being Runflat, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 features external locking grooves for excellent wet grip. It also prevents aquaplaning on slippery surfaces. This car tire benefits from enlarged outer blocks to provide the best possible support when cornering. Maximum steering grip is guaranteed by the dual action of the hybrid aramid reinforcement belt, which secures the flat contact patch in all conditions.

With this car tire, handling is improved by 15%. And like all new generation Hankook tires, this one is made from Hankook's new HSSC (Highly Enriched Synthetic Silica Compound). This is a formulation in which pure silica is vulcanized at low temperatures twice as long as competing brands' tires.

Michelin Alpin 6 4
8/10

Winter

Michelin Alpin 6

Excellent winter car tire

The Michelin Alpin 6 is more than just a winter tire, it's a tire that's good for driving in the snow. With its high quality rubber, it is ready to face the cold and extreme weather conditions.

117 £ on Norauto
Buying guide • November 2023

Best car tire

Any specific needs?

Best car tire in 2021

Best entry-level car tire

Best premium car tire

Excellent winter car tire

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best car tires

THE BEST CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE WINTER TIRE
Goodyear Vector Gen2 5
9/10
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 6
8/10
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 7
9/10
Michelin Alpin 6 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Goodyear Vector Gen2
Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
Michelin Alpin 6
Offering top performance all year round, the Goodyear Vector is one of the best tires on the market. Its deep three-dimensional grooves are suitable for all types of soil.
Hankook's goal with its Kinergy 4S2 is to provide reliable driving 365 days a year without changing tires. It also impresses with its short braking distances and low rolling noise.
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 continues the tradition of Hankook's ultra-high performance tires. Like the S1 Evo 2, it offers a very safe, sporty, yet comfortable driving experience on wet or dry roads.
The Michelin Alpin 6 is more than just a winter tire, it's a tire that's good for driving in the snow. With its high quality rubber, it is ready to face the cold and extreme weather conditions.
Types
All seasons
All seasons
Summer Runflat
Winter
Dimensions
205/55 R16
205/55 R16
245/35 R18
225/55 R17
Running noise
68 dB
72 dB
72 dB
69 dB
Wet traction
B
B
A
B
Fuel efficiency
C
C
E
C

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Buying guide - car tire

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How to choose your car tire

Buying new car tires can be a daunting experience. You'll be faced with a wide selection of tire brands, sizes and types. It's easy to get confused. However, learn how to sort through the choices by following these criteria:

#1 - Weather conditions

Perhaps the most basic consideration is the climate in which you will be driving. Car tires are manufactured for optimal performance under certain driving weather conditions. So when you want to buy new tires, you need to determine whether they will be used for particular seasons of the year or all year round.

In either case, you need to make sure that the tires are fully capable of withstanding the weather conditions in which they will be used, otherwise you may suffer losses in performance, stability and safety.

#2 - Tire size

Beforeyou buy car tires, you need to know the proper size of your tires based on your vehicle manufacturer's specifications. This information is available in the owner's manual as well as on the information sticker inside the driver's door. You will usually see something like this: 205/60 R15. The first number (205) indicates the width of the tire at its widest point in millimeters. The next number (60) is what we call the aspect ratio.

The final number in the series is the wheel diameter in inches. The last number (15) indicates the diameter of the rim on which the tire should be mounted. The "R", on the other hand, indicates that it is a radial tire, which virtually all modern tires are.

#3 - Rated speed

Eachtire is assigned a letter indicating the speed at which it can be safely driven for an extended period of time. Depending on your own driving needs, you should select the tires that are best for you. The speed rating of your car's original tires is the maximum speed the car could go, plus a large built-in safety margin.

This speed rating is expressed as a letter in the alphanumeric code immediately following the tire size. The letters range from L to Y and cover maximum speed ranges from 120 km/h to over 300 km/h.

#4 - Life expectancy

Believe itor not, tires have different life spans. It is measured in miles and should be readily available information. Tires with shorter life spans are often made for superior performance or ultra-smooth driving. Depending on your specific tire needs and budget, it's important to determine the right balance between performance and life.

In addition to the mileage guarantee, the life of a tire is also determined by the treadwear rating indicated as a number on the sidewall of the tire. The higher this number, the longer the tire will last.

#5 - Design

Althoughthe specific size of your tires is determined by the type of vehicle, car tires are available in a variety of styles and designs. This allows you to customize the look of your vehicle. Whether you want a rugged, sporty, retro, modern or stylish look, there is a tire kit for you.

It's important to note that different tire styles vary in terms of performance. For example, low profile tires offer a sporty look and improved handling capabilities, but are more prone to damage, have a shorter life span and are generally more expensive. Finding the best compromise between looks and performance is critical.

Choosing the same tire model or a new model?

If you're happy with your current tires, the choice shouldn't be a problem. If you're still using your original tires, they're designed to fit your vehicle perfectly and show all the benefits. If you notice that your tires have poor traction and slip on wet surfaces, remember if you had such problems when you bought them. If so, you may need to try something new. If not, your tires are just old or worn out.

When you buy tires that were originally on your car, expect the price to be quite high. However, car manufacturers usually match each vehicle with at least two different brands to fit any driver's budget. If there is no information about this in the vehicle manual, you can find the necessary alternative on websites that sell tires.

If you are not completely satisfied with your current tires, determine the problem and look for tires that meet your needs. There is a trend toward low-profile tires and wide rims, but many people complain about the harshness of driving on these types of tires. In this case, choosing touring or grand touring tires instead of high and ultra-high performance tires will make the ride smoother.

If you want more performance in the summer and don't mind sacrificing a little comfort, choose summer tires instead of all-season tires. They will give you excellent traction on dry and wet surfaces, but no traction in snowy conditions.

The different types of car tires

Once you have determined the main characteristics of the tires you need, now you need to choose the type of tires based on the type of road you will drive on most often.

4 season car tires

The vast majority of today's vehicles are equipped with 4 season tiresThese tires are designed to be versatile all year round and in all weather conditions. That means reasonable driving and handling, quiet operation, and good grip in wet weather. But most 4-season car tires don't do well in the snow; the tires specially designed for winteralso known as snow tiresoffer much better traction when the snow falls.

There are two main subcategories of 4-season car tires: high performance and touring. High performance 4-season car tires offer more precise handling than "standard" 4-season tires. They grip the road with more confidence and exhibit a sportier handling, usually at the expense of some winter traction. These tires are intended for sportier cars and more aggressive drivers. Four-season grand touring car tires have a more understated appearance, but ride better at the cost of some handling.

Summer car tires

Thisterm is a misnomer, as this type of tire should rightly be called a "3 season" car tire. Summer tires are specifically designed to provide traction in dry weather and wet weather in moderate to hot weather. They sharpen steering response, increase traction in turns and ensure shorter braking distances. But most summer tires only work well in temperatures of about 5°C and above.

When outside temperatures drop below 0°C, tires can feel nervous and behave inconsistently. They lose much of their grip to the point that they act as if they were on a wet or even icy road. As for the 4 season tiressummer rubber comes in several varieties: ultra high performance tires, maximum performance tires and extreme performance tires. Summer tires are mainly fitted to sports cars like Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes-AMGs, ect.

Winter car tires

Alsocalled snow tiresthe winter tires are designed to provide maximum traction in snow and slippery winter conditions, and the traction they provide in these situations is unmatched by any other tire category. Even an all-wheel drive vehicle equipped with 4 season tires cannot match the stopping or turning ability of a similar two-wheel drive vehicle equipped with four winter tires.

Winter tires are designed to work well in the coldest weather, but they don't hold up or perform as well as summer tires once the weather turns cold. 4 season tires or summer tires once the weather warms up. They should be considered a second set of tires for your vehicle if you live where there is a lot of snow each winter.

4 seasons car tire or summer car tire?

4 seasons car tire

The 4-season tire offers a balance of capabilities, providing acceptable performance in wet and dry conditions, as well as traction in snow. Designed for the average driver, this type of car tire features moderate tread depths and rubber compounds designed to provide longer life than summer tires, which have shallower tread depths.

The four-season tire works well in warm weather, but it may offer less grip than summer tires, sacrificing some smoothness in steering, braking and cornering. This compromise is necessary for 4-season tires to provide safe performance in light winter conditions and extend tread life.

Summer car tire

The summer tire is perfect for high performance vehicles. It was designed for speed and agility. It offers great responsiveness, as well as enhanced cornering and braking capabilities. This is usually attributed to special tread patterns and rubber compounds that allow for greater precision on the road. The tread pattern of summer tires has fewer grooves and puts more rubber in contact with the road.

This type of tire is designed to provide maximum grip on the road. The tread compounds of summer tires are designed to remain more flexible, allowing for better traction and grip. Summer tires can have shallower tread depths that allow for greater stability when pushed closer to their limits.

Verdict

If you live where it never snows and temperatures are generally 5°C or higher during your normal driving periods, summer car tires are a good choice. Summer performance tires are especially good for urban areas with warm climates that get some rain, as they are better at preventing hydroplaning at highway speeds than 4-season tires.

On the other hand, if you live in an area where the weather is not so predictable, where you may encounter freezing rain or light snow in the fall or spring, it's best to opt for 4-season car tires.

Why buy a good car tire?

For safe driving

Having good tires will provide a safety cushion for the next 100,000 km of the vehicle's life (depending on the tire treadwear rating). At the same time, new tires increase your vehicle's ability to brake and turn in corners. For about $300 every 7 years, you can have new tires, a very reasonable expense to maintain a safe and healthy driving experience.

For improved performance

The distance your car needs to stop or the speed at which you can enter a corner depends on the quality of your tires. They determine how much power your vehicle can put to the ground and whether or not you can brake fast enough to control it safely. Most tires are performance oriented and are made from stickier compounds with aggressive tread designs. Be sure to choose a tire in the performance category you intend to use it for.

To save fuel

The condition of your tires can significantly affect your fuel economy. If you have a worn set of tires with uneven tread, your fuel economy will suffer because your car has to work harder to put its power to the ground. For best results, buy new tires and inflate them to the right pressure. Also, whenever you replace worn tires, have your vehicle aligned by a professional mechanic.

To improve traction

How well your tires perform in different road and weather conditions (such as snow, rain, mud, etc.) depends largely on their tread composition and life span. The right car tire is the one that meets all your driving specifications.

Simply, to have a better driving experience

The final benefit of a new set of tires is how they can provide you with comfort. New tires with deeper treads and designs are great for longer trips, as they give the driver a smoother ride. Plus, new tires make less noise than worn tires.

The best brands of car tires

In our opinion, the best brands of car tires in 2022 are :

Michelin
Bridgestone
Hankook
Goodyear
Pirelli

Michelin does well in almost every tire category. It ranks high in reader satisfaction surveys, expert reviews and user reviews. The brand remains a safe bet, even if it's not the cheapest on the market. And it offers many more truck and SUV tire models than Hankook.

Bridgestone makes 2 brands of tires: Bridgestone and Firestone. The companies merged in 1988 and now offer a variety of passenger, truck and SUV tires. Bridgestone has always been an innovative player in the industry and has done a good job of negotiating the shift to more environmentally friendly products.

Hankook tires are an affordable alternative to other major brands like Michelin, Pirelli, Goodyear or Bridgestone. Hankook has always had a reputation for producing high quality tires at affordable prices. So if you're looking for a high-performance, economical tire for your sedan, Hankook is the way to go.

Founded by Frank Seiberling in 1898, the Goodyear Tyres brand is now one of the top 4 tire manufacturers in the world. It offers aircraft, bicycle, motorcycle, car and heavy equipment tires. For cars, Goodyear has earned its good reputation with tires with tenacious grip and top responsiveness. The brand prices a bit higher than Hankook, but the quality is there.

Pirelli designs high-performance tires for sports cars and high-performance SUVs. If you're looking for tires for your family sedan, look elsewhere, like Hankook. But if you have a powerful sports car or SUV, Pirelli might be the best tire brand for you.

What is the price for a car tire

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
30 £ to 45 £
Mid-range
45 £ to 80 £
High-end
more than 80 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Always put new tires on the rear axle

This will help drivers keep control of their car on wet roads. It doesn't matter if you drive front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, if you lose traction in the rear first, the car will spin.

Inspect the condition of each tire regularly

Beforeyou get in your car or after you get home, inspect every tire. What you need to look for is any type of damage or foreign matter that could prevent your tires from working as they should. Check for uneven tire wear and detect any irregularities by running your hand along the tire's surface. If you encounter any of these problems, you may be experiencing suspension and alignment problems with your tires.

Check the tread depth regularly

Adeep tread will help maintain good traction on wet roads. An easy way to check tread depth is to use a penny. If more than a quarter of the coin disappears into the groove, you should consider buying new tires.

Make it a habit to check tire pressure frequently

Over time,your vehicle's tires lose air through the valve, making them underinflated. Insufficient air pressure affects the driver's ability to control the vehicle, and they will be subjected to more friction. With too much friction, there will be just enough heat to shorten the life of your tire. Tires that lack air can also increase your fuel consumption, due to the extra rolling resistance caused.

Permit your tires regularly

There's not asingle vehicle that has an even weight distribution from front to back. That means your tires wear unevenly. The front tires are generally subject to more wear due to the impact and friction they are exposed to when you brake and turn. To avoid this uneven wear on your tires, regularly swap the rear tires with the front tires.

FAQ

How to inflate a car's tires?

Remove the valve stem caps on all your tires (keep them in a safe place, like your pocket). Use an air pump to fill the tires. Go to a gas station that has a professional air pump. You can also buy your own automatic air compressor and inflate your car tiresat home in the quiet.

What is the optimal pressure for a car tire?

Becausemaintaining your tires is so important to your safety and the overall performance of your car, it is important to know what tire pressure is right for your vehicle. Tire air pressure is measured in PSI. Generally, the recommended pressure is between 30 and 35 PSI. To find out what your tire pressure should be, look for the recommendation on the sidewall of the tire.

When to change a car tire?

Replacing worn tires is a great way to help your vehicle maintain optimal traction, handling and braking. If you're having trouble knowing when to change your tires, follow these two simple tips to know if it's time to buy new tires:

How to install new car tires?

It doesn't matter where you buy your tires, and what type of tiresyou choose, there are several steps to properly installing your new tires:

  • Remove the old tire(s)
  • Replace the air valve stem
  • Check the pressure.
  • Mount the new tire(s)
  • Balance the wheels

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. A Beginner's Guide to Choosing Tires, Pneus.fr
  2. Choosing Tires - Buying Guide, Dunlop.eu
  3. The Ultimate Tire Buying Guide: Car Tire Maintenance Tips, Tiregom.fr
  4. Tires - Buying Guide, Quechoisir.org
  5. When to Buy New Tires, Fulda.com
  6. What You Should Know Before Buying New Tires, Continental-pneus.ch
  7. When to Change My Car Tires?, Michelin.fr
  8. 10 Things You Should Know Before Buying New Tires, Hotcars.com
  9. The Complete Tire Buying Guide : Buy the Right Tires for Your CarTire Buying GuideTire Buying Guide, Pitstoparabia.com
  10. The Ultimate Tire Buying Guide: How to Buy the Right Tires, Tireamrica.com
  11. 9 Important Tips for Buying Tires, Simpletire.com
  12. The Best Car Tires, Blog.nationwide.com
  13. The Best Car Tires, Agirlsguidetocars.com
  14. Car Tires | Buy Your Cheap Car Tires ...., centralepneus.fr
  15. Cheap Tires - Discounted Tires Online | 1001PNEUS, 1001pneus.fr
  16. Cheap Tires Green Light - Buy and Mount Tires, feuvert.fr
  17. Cheap Tires NORAUTO - Buy Car Tires at the Best Price ..., norauto.fr
  18. About 123pneus.fr online store, 123pneus.fr
  19. Cheap tires and free shipping | MISTER AUTO, mister-auto.com
  20. Cheap car tires Online, 4x4 car tires at prices ..., pneus-online.fr
  21. Tires, cheap tires, winter, summer and 4 seasons tires | SPEEDY, speedy.fr
  22. Auto Leclerc : Your tires at the best price, auto.leclerc
  23. Amazon.co.uk | Car Tires, amazon.co.uk
  24. Car Tires - Cheap Car Tires | 1001PNEUS, 1001pneus.fr
  25. Cheap Tires ALLOPNEUS - Achat Pneus en Ligne, allopneus.com
  26. Comparatif Pneus 2021 - UFC-Que Choisir, quechoisir.org
  27. Promotions Speedy ⋅ Promo pneu | Speedy, speedy.fr
  28. Pneu pas cher PNEUS ONLINE - Achat de pneus à prix discount, pneus-online.fr
  29. Tous les pneus | Euromaster, euromaster.fr
  30. Pneus auto MICHELIN, michelin.fr
  31. Pneus en Ligne " Pneumatiques " LIVRAISON GRATUITE " Oponeo.fr, oponeo.fr
  32. Sale of used tires for all types of cars ..., pnoeu.com
  33. Cheap tires - Buy / Sell cheap - Cdiscount, cdiscount.com
  34. Winter car tires, SUV, 4x4, motorcycle | Michelin Premium Tires ..., toopneus.com
  35. NORAUTO - Car maintenance, tires & car parts online, norauto.fr
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Goodyear Vector Gen2 9
Goodyear Vector Gen2
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 10
Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 11
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
Michelin Alpin 6 12
Michelin Alpin 6

Lecteurs

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