The Best Tire Brands and Models for 2026 According to Consumer Reports

Photo: Adobe Stock/Dinastya

Need a set of replacement tires for your vehicle? Whether you own a car, SUV, light truck or EV, The Car Guide has you covered.

Another trusted source is definitely U.S. magazine Consumer Reports, which recently published the results of its extensive tests on 129 tire models from 30 brands covering nine different categories. The 18 brands with at least four models tested are included in the final ranking.

Read also

Braking, comfort, handling, hydroplaning, noise, snow traction and other key performance indicators are part of the evaluation process. Braking on ice is tested on a skating rink, while an independent lab assesses rolling resistance. What’s more, the team drives thousands of kilometres on a road course in western Texas and use that information to predict tread life.

“The top brands can be a great place for shoppers to start,” says Gordon Gingras, an automotive engineer at Consumer Reports. “However, it’s important to check with the specific tire ratings for the category because they reveal not only the best-performing model, but also how tires perform in each test.”

Unless you're a member, you won't have access to the magazine's detailed reviews and ratings. Don’t worry, we have the highlights below. First, here's what Consumer Reports' 2026 tire brand ranking looks like:

Michelin stands at the top with a score of 72 on a scale of 100. All eight tested models earn a Consumer Reports recommendation, namely the Defender2, Primacy Tour A/S, CrossClimate2, LTX A/T 2, Pilot Sport All-Season 4, Pilot Sport 4S, X-Ice Snow and Pilot Alpin PA4.

As the magazine notes, “Michelin is at or near the top of most tire categories we test. Typically, its models offer a good mix of grip, handling, and long tread life. And even though Michelins are often among the most expensive tires, they tend to be a good value when factoring in performance and tread life.”

Continental ranks second among tire brands with a score of 69. It excels particularly in the truck segment with models such as the TerrainContact H/T and TerrainContact A/T dominating their respective categories. Other Continental models recommended by Consumer Reports include the TrueContact Tour 54, CrossContact LX25, ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus, ExtremeContact Sport 02 and VikingContact 7.

Rounding out the top 3 with a score of 68, surprisingly, is Vredestein from the Netherlands, one of the world's oldest tire manufacturers yet still a relatively unknown brand among North American drivers. Just like Michelin and Continental, all seven Vredestein tires tested receive Consumer Reports’ seal of approval as they typically rank among the top tires in any category they compete in. The list includes the Quatrac Pro+, HiTrac, Pinza HT, Pinza AT, HyperTrac All Season, Ultrac Pro and Wintrac Pro.

Gallery