Cooper Tire Vs Michelin

‍Overview

If you are in the market for a new set of tires, there’s a high chance you will come across Michelin and Cooper tires. Cooper and Michelin are among the most popular tire brands globally.

So, which is the better tire brand between Cooper and Michelin? Well, there’s no direct question to this. While some people may prefer Michelin tires, others swear by Cooper tires.

Furthermore, tires from each brand come with unique features and technologies. Therefore, you can expect tires from these two brands to have various differences.

About Cooper Tires

Launched in 1914, Cooper is considered a newer tire brand to join the industry. Headquartered in the U.S, Cooper initially sold tire patches as well as tire repair kits. But after a few years, the company expanded its operations and began manufacturing tires. Currently, this tire brand has manufacturing facilities across three different continents.

Recently, Cooper has been chosen as the OE tire brand for major tire brands like Volkswagen Ford and Mercedes-Benz. And this is a clear sign that these vehicle brands trust the reliability and quality of tires from this brand.

And while Cooper may not be as established as Bridgestone, Goodyear or Continental, it accounted for approximately 5% of tire sales in the U.S in 2019. Again, this is enough proof that consumers trust this tire brand.

Also, its tires are quite affordable. Even the premium options come at pocket-friendly prices. Cooper tires come with new features and technologies, which enable them to deliver top-notch performances across varying terrains and conditions.

Cooper Tire produces tires in almost all categories. It manufactures tires for trucks, minivans, SUVs and cars, among others. It also produces tires for different seasons and conditions like all-season touring tires, performance tires, winter tires and all-terrain tires, among others.

About Michelin Tires

Launched in 1889, Michelin has grown to become one of the leading tire brands in the world. This tire brand accounted for approximately 20% of total tire sales in the North American market in 2019, edging out other major tire brands like Goodyear and Bridgestone.

Since it was launched more than 100 years ago, Michelin has expanded considerably. Over the years, it has acquired other tire manufacturers like Uniroyal and BF Goodrich.

Besides producing car tires, Michelin also makes tires for airplanes, bicycles, and motorsport vehicles.

Michelin is renowned for making high-quality tires, produced through hours of continuous research and rigorous testing.

Currently, Michelin is among the few tire manufacturers in the industry whose winter tires come with a treadwear warranty.

Design Features

As earlier mentioned, both Cooper and Michelin have outfitted their tires with different features and technologies, to ensure they perform to the highest standards possible and offer value for money. Let’s take a closer look at each tire brand’s design features:

Cooper Tires

Cooper tires are engineered to deliver outstanding all-year-round traction, outstanding stability and handling as well as a smooth and comfortable ride. Some of the brand’s standout features include:

Top-notch Stability and Handling

Cooper undertakes extensive tire research when it comes to tire safety and handling. And over the years, the brand has managed to come up with a tire compound, which can deliver outstanding grip and handling, in almost all terrains.

Some of its tires have been provisioned by the brand’s proprietary Adaptive Traction technology. This technology is designed to enhance the tire’s overall traction, especially on rugged conditions and terrains.

Also, most of its tires feature a 5-rib tread pattern, designed to improve the tire’s handling stability, especially when a driver is cornering at high speeds. Also, the 5-rib tread pattern is designed to boost the tire’s dry and wet traction.

Comfort

Cooper tires are engineered to deliver a quiet, smooth and comfortable ride, regardless of the weather condition or road surface.

To achieve this, Cooper outfits most of its tires with various technologies like 3D Micro-Gauge siping, Stabledge technology and modern tread compounds.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the level of comfort a particular Cooper tire will deliver will depend on the model that you buy.

Durability

Coopers are tough and durable. This is made possible by the use of modern tread compounds. They are also backed by a 45-day road test warranty, which gives you a chance to evaluate the tire’s performance.

If you are not fully satisfied with the tire, you can return it to its original place of purchase and the dealer will exchange it for free.

Michelin Tires

Just like Cooper tires, Michelin also outfits its tires with various design features and technologies. These features are designed to enhance the tires’ performance while enhancing their durability. Some of Michelin’s design features include:

Minimal Road Noise

Michelin knows the importance of a pleasant and comfortable ride, free from distracting, loud sounds.

To this end, Michelin outfits most of its tires with its exclusive Michelin Acoustic Technology. According to Michelin, this technology is capable of reducing acoustics by approximately 20%.

So, how does this technology achieve that? Well, it absorbs the vehicle’s vibrations via a customized polyurethane foam solution. And with the reduced vibrations, the vehicle’s occupants will enjoy a stress-free, smooth, and comfortable driving experience.

Outstanding Handling

Similar to other leading tire brands, Michelin undertakes continuous research and aggressive tire testing. These research and testing are designed to help the company come up with, technologies, materials or features that can improve the tire's performance.

And the Helio+ technology is one good example. This technology features a combination of silica-gel and sunflower-infused tread compound. It helps to improve the tire’s wet handling and steering response in snowy conditions.

There is also the Variable Contact Patch 3.0 technology, which works to distribute temperature and pressure evenly across the tire’s surface. Consequently, the vehicle will be well equipped to perform tight turns at higher-than-average speeds.

Durability

Michelin understands the importance of producing durable tires. After all, the average tire consumer wants a tire that can last as long as possible and offer value for money.

To this end, all Michelin tires feature sturdy sidewalls and strong shoulder blocks. These two features work together to deflect rocks and gravel, thus preventing premature tire failure.

Its SUV and truck tires feature debris ejectors. As the name suggests, these debris ejectors help to get rid of all types of debris from being lodged on the tire’s tread.  

Tire Categories

Both tire brands manufacture tires in almost all categories. They manufacture tires for truck, vans, SUVs, crossovers, compacts, and sedans among others. Also, they manufacture tires for different seasons, terrains and conditions.

Cooper Tires

As replacement tires are Cooper’s main specialization, it also produces original equipment (OE) tires for Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Ford. It’s a trusted seller of all-season touring tires, performance tires, all-terrain tires and passenger tires. Some of the brand’s most popular tires include:

• Cooper Evolution Tour
• Cooper Zeon LTZ
• Cooper Evolution Winter
• Cooper ZEON RSG-31
• Cooper Evolution H/T
• Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring

Michelin Tires

Michelin produces a wide range of tire models. It manufactures tires for trucks, SUVs, and cars. Its tires are among the best performers in their respective categories. Some of this brand’s most popular tires among consumers include:

• Michelin CrossClimate2
• Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
• Michelin Primacy Tour AS
• Michelin Latitude Tour
• Michelin Defender LTX
• Michelin X-Ice Xi3

Warranties and Guarantees

Both tire manufacturers stand behind their tires with strong warranties and guarantees. Most Cooper tires come with a materials and workmanship warranty, a treadwear mileage warranty, as well as a 45-day guarantee.

Michelin also offers similar warranties. It stands behind its tires with a workmanship and materials warranty, a limited treadwear warranty. Michelin also stands behind its tires with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and flat tire roadside assistance.

Verdict

Cooper and Michelin are comparable in almost all aspects. But going by customer reviews, some people have complained that Cooper tires wear out faster than Michelin. So, between Cooper and Michelin tires, which is the best brand? Well, the answer to this question will depend on your tastes and preferences.