5 Summer Tires That Beat Goodyear in Price and Performance

It’s common knowledge that premium tire brands such as Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone, and Pirelli dominate the market. Recently, Goodyear was recognized by J.D. Power as the preferred brand for luxury vehicle owners, outpacing competitors like Michelin and Pirelli—a reflection of the brand’s strong reputation.

Nonetheless, the tire industry is nuanced. While premium brands generally deliver superior performance compared to budget options, certain value brands can exceed expectations in specific scenarios. Consequently, Goodyear, although a leader, can be outperformed. The findings from the 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test, as reported by TyreReviews, confirm this fact.

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, priced at EUR 780 ($900), secured second place overall and excelled in durability, refinement, and consistency. It led in estimated tread lifespan and was among the quietest and most comfortable tires tested. This demonstrates that enhanced performance doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag, as illustrated by the five tires featured here.

The Hankook Ventus EVO, priced at EUR 620 ($713), emerged as the top tire in the 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test, outperforming all competitors, including premium brands. Its victory is remarkable given its superior performance across various testing metrics. For instance, the Ventus EVO recorded the shortest stopping distance on dry surfaces, achieving a halt from 100 kph (62 mph) in merely 32.80 meters (107.6 feet) compared to Goodyear’s 34.50 meters (113.2 feet).

Additionally, it excelled in dry handling lap times, averaging a speed of 101.50 kph (63.1 mph), surpassing Goodyear’s 100.50 kph (62.4 mph). In wet conditions, the Hankook tire again outperformed, achieving a fast wet handling speed of 83.60 kph (51.9 mph) against Goodyear’s 82.20 kph (51.1 mph). Both tires were rated equally high for comfort, sharing the top comfort score.

Importantly for budget-conscious consumers, Hankook offers a more favorable cost-per-kilometer at EUR 11.01/1000 km (approximately $12.66 per 621 miles) compared to Goodyear’s EUR 12.22 (about $14.05 per 621 miles). This translates to better performance at a lower cost over the tire’s lifespan. Hankook also ranked better than Goodyear in Consumer Reports’ analysis of top tire brands for 2025, due to its consistent performance across various models.

Although Hankook is generally considered a premium option, it was Giti, the manufacturer of GT Radial tires, that surprised testers with the GitiSport S2+, a Chinese-made tire that surpassed Goodyear in several test metrics.

TyreReviews highlighted that the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 retails for EUR 780 ($900), while the GitiSport S2+ is available for EUR 610 ($700). In dry braking tests, the Giti stopped in just 34.30 meters, marginally better than Goodyear’s 34.50 meters (112.5 feet). In wet conditions, the Giti achieved a handling speed of 82.60 kph (51.3 mph), slightly ahead of Goodyear’s 82.20 kph (51.1 mph), and showed impressive aquaplaning resistance with a float speed of 94.50 kph (58.7 mph), just short of Goodyear’s 94.70 kph (58.8 mph).

With a cost-per-kilometer figure of EUR 12.20/1000 km (approximately $14.03 per 621 miles), Giti offers a comparable long-term running cost to Goodyear, aligning with its lower purchase price. Ranking fourth overall, Giti might not have claimed the top spot like Goodyear, but in multiple categories, this budget brand outperformed its more expensive rival.

While Kumho ranked higher than Goodyear in Consumer Reports, it placed sixth in the 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test compared to Goodyear’s second place. A common belief holds that premium tires deliver superior performance when it counts, but the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 defied this notion with excellent wet handling and braking performance. The Kumho tire stopped in 42.40 meters (139.1 feet), surpassing Goodyear’s 42.90 meters (140.7 feet), and had a wet handling speed of 82.60 kph (51.3 mph), again edging out Goodyear’s 82.20 kph (51.1 mph).

The subjective wet handling score for Kumho was rated at 8.70 points, notably higher than Goodyear’s 8.00 points, indicating that testers felt more confident with Kumho’s wet performance. In dry conditions, Kumho performed similarly well, achieving a stopping distance of 34.40 meters (112.9 feet) versus Goodyear’s 34.50 meters (113.2 feet). At EUR 600 ($700), Kumho is priced EUR 180 ($207) less than Goodyear, while also having a cost-per-kilometer rate of EUR 12.44/1000 km (approximately $14.31 per 621 miles), making it a strong contender for drivers who prioritize safety in wet conditions without the premium price tag.

Nexen, a well-established South Korean tire manufacturer with over 80 years of experience, showcased its N’Fera Sport SU2, which finished ninth in TyreReviews testing, outperforming Goodyear in several critical performance metrics, all for EUR 580 ($665)—EUR 200 ($230) less than Goodyear’s price of EUR 780 ($900). In dry braking tests, Nexen recorded a notable stopping distance of 33.90 meters (111.2 feet), significantly outperforming Goodyear’s 34.50 meters (113.2 feet).

The wet braking performance was also commendable at 42.30 meters (138.8 feet), again beating Goodyear’s 42.90 meters (140.7 feet). These advantages in braking can translate into significant safety benefits for drivers in real-life situations. One of Nexen’s highlights is its low pass-by noise level of just 70.60 dB, the best among all tested tires, while Goodyear recorded 70.80 dB.

For those who spend extended periods on highways, this reduced noise level offers a tangible comfort advantage over Goodyear. Lastly, Nexen’s cost-per-kilometer of EUR 12.13/1000 km (approximately $13.95 per 621 miles) is more cost-effective than Goodyear’s EUR 12.22 (around $14.05 per 621 miles). Ultimately, these tests prove that higher costs do not always equate to enhanced performance, showcasing that the Nexen tire is not only cheaper in purchase price but also more economical in the long run.

As mentioned with the GitiSport S2+, GT Radial, the manufacturer behind it, is another Chinese brand that impressed in testing. The GT Radial SportActive 2 EVO achieved eighth place overall while standing out as one of the most affordable options at just EUR 550 ($630) per tire. This brand delivers reasonable performance without breaking the bank, rounding out our ranking of the “21 Major Tire Brands of 2025.”

In wet handling tests, the SportActive 2 recorded a speed of 82.50 kph (51.3 mph), slightly ahead of Goodyear’s 82.20 kph (51.1 mph), while both received subjective dry handling scores of eight points. Goodyear performed admirably regarding road noise, measuring at 70.80 dB; the SportActive 2 was just a fraction louder at 71.1 dB. The true advantage of the GT lies in its running costs, with a cost-per-kilometer of EUR 11.12/1000 km (approximately $12.79 per 621 miles), significantly lower than Goodyear’s EUR 12.22 (about $14.05 per 621 miles).

For those valuing budget without sacrificing performance, the GT Radial SportActive 2 EVO presents an enticing option. While it may not excel in every category compared to Goodyear, it proves its worth in several key areas, and opting for four GT Radials would save approximately EUR 1,000 ($1,150) compared to a complete set of Goodyears.