These two tyre manufacturers are steeped in history and ingrained in motorsports folklore. And for the consumer they are perhaps some of the most recognisable and trusted brands for tyres worldwide. But does Dunlop or Goodyear offer the best overall package for Aussie motorists? We aim to find out.
We all know Dunlop for its Volley shoe, a classic Aussie icon, but you may not be aware that the brand was founded in the late 1800s as part of the Dunlop Rubber Company, which discovered the pneumatic tyre. Dunlop has also enjoyed a long run as the sole tyre supplier for the (V8) Supercars motorsports franchise.
Goodyear has a similar historic profile, being founded in the late 1800s and named after American Charles Goodyear, who invented vulcanised rubber. Goodyear is the sole tyre supplier to NASCAR and in fact bought out Dunlop in 1999. With both manufacturers having an established history and great deal of consumer trust and recognition, which brand comes out on top when their tyres are compared head-on?
Dunlop Car Tyres
A visit to Dunlop’s website quickly makes you aware of its main consumer target – “everyday performance”. With a history in elite cycling, it’s little wonder the brand wants to cater towards performance, but what does this mean for the average Aussie motorist?
We used the most common car tyre size in Australia for our comparison – 205/65/15 – as a yardstick. This tyre dimension is commonly found on smaller cars such as Toyota Corolla, but many cars feature rim diameters of 17” plus, and as such your individual tyre price may be higher.
| Model | Purpose | Approx Price Per Tyre From |
|---|---|---|
| SP Touring R1 | Improved wet performance & durability | $115 |
| SP Sport FM800 | Mid-level sports performance | $125 |
| SP Touring T1 | Durable tread life for long distances | $100 |
| SP Sport 300E | Entry-level performance | $110 |
| Monza 200R | Reduced rolling resistance, touring tyre | $105 |
Source: Dunlop website April 2018
Dunlop clearly has a solid range, with most corners of the tyre market catered for, particularly for those wanting cheap, durable tyres, and those wanting entry-level ‘sports’ tyres. With the SP Touring T1, for example, you can get a set balanced and fitted for less than $600, which sounds like a real bargain. And for performance, both the SP Sport models are sure to impress with their prices suited to almost everyone.
- Most tyres in this size bracket are budget-focused, so do not expect to see any high-end sports tyres here.
Also note that larger tyres are in all likelihood more expensive and a larger range may be available. To those with an SUV or performance car, expect to pay a premium. Overall, Dunlop offers a large range of tyres to suit most applications – all you have to do is enter your tyre size on their website and find out what’s available.
Shopping for Dunlop tyres? Check out JAX Tyres & Auto
Goodyear Car Tyres
Goodyear’s slogan is “One Revolution Ahead” and its website sure conjures up images of endless touring and hitting the open road for an adventure. So let’s see what tyres Goodyear has to take you there.
| Model | Purpose | Approx Price Per Tyre From |
|---|---|---|
| Assurance DuraPlus | Kevlar-infused for maximum durability | $115 |
| Assurance TripleMax | Fuel efficiency and wet weather braking | $120 |
| OptiLife | Durability and mileage | $100 |
| Eagle Efficient Grip | Entry-level performance | $125 |
Source: Goodyear website April 2018
With four matches for our average tyre size comparison, Goodyear seems to stack up pretty well against Dunlop in terms of range, but its tyres may not be so easy to get. For example, the DuraPlus tyre in question above is only available at Goodyear Autocare stores, while the OptiLife is only available at Kmart Tyre and Auto Services chains.
Aside from that, however, Goodyear’s range is mostly comparable. Tyres are mainly focused on the budget end of the spectrum, with durability and fuel efficiency in mind. This is opposed to performance tyres, which may feature more prominently with larger diameters.
- Durability and fuel efficiency are the qualities commonly featured with this tyre diameter.
- Keep in mind that with larger diameters, purposes may change slightly and prices will likely rise.
All in all, at least for this 15” tyre size, Dunlop and Goodyear are mostly comparable. It’s only when you start to look at bigger tyres does the picture change slightly. To see the difference, input your tyre size into the retailers’ websites to gauge what’s out there.
Shopping for Goodyear tyres? Check out JAX Tyres & Auto
Dunlop vs Goodyear: Who’s the winner?
The established history and consumer trust stacks up in both manufacturers’ everyday tyre offerings. Whereas Dunlop offers you a choice – at some compromise – Goodyear seems to want you to just “set and forget” your tyre choice, which is sure to appeal to a lot of customers. You may like the choice of Dunlop, or the assurance of Goodyear.
- Dunlop tyres are available at a wide variety of locations, while Goodyear limits some of its models to its own Autocare stores or to Kmart Tyre and Auto.
- Prices and range are mostly comparable between the two brands, with budget-focused tyres and entry-level performance tyres as well.
No matter which brand you go with, it pays to know the size of tyre your car needs and to shop around with a range of brands and tyre retailers. You may find that one brand streaks ahead of another in terms of price, value, performance and tyre safety. Happy motoring!
Original Author: Harrison Astbury
Share this article