Expected tread life is one of several factors to consider when you shop for new tires. Tread life is measured by a UTQG rating, which was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to measure a tire’s treadwear, traction, and temperature. When reading a UTQG rating, the higher the treadwear rating, the longer it’s expected to last under normal driving conditions.
It’s worth noting that tire manufacturers self-test and self-report their UTQG ratings; there is no national testing and rating organization.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the highest UTQG-rated tires. These tires stand apart from the competition as having excellent treadwear ratings compared to similar tires of the same type. Again, these are self-reported by manufacturers.
In addition to materials and construction, these factors contribute to how long a tire lasts:
The tread types that tend to have the highest UTQG wear ratings are as follows, with their average UTQG wear ratings across all brands that we reviewed*:
*Based on analysis of more than 41,000 tires with UTQG ratings.
These brands offer tire models with treadwear ratings equal to 700 or higher (there may be additional tire makers with UTQG ratings of 700 or higher, but these 20 brands appear on the list the most often and are presented here in alphabetical order):
There are many brands that offer tires with good tread wear, even under 700. This article is intended to help our customers understand what UTQG ratings mean and how to use the ratings to make purchase decisions. Purchase decisions should be on several factors; in addition to tread ratings, consider:
Within Tire Agent’s product listings, select your tire size and verify your tire size. Scroll down to Technical Specifications, and you’ll see UTQG and treadwear ratings.
From any product page, select “Select A Size.”
Select the drop-down arrow under “Available Sizes.”
Find your size and then select “View Details.”
Under “Technical Specifications,” look for Treadwear. In this image, the Hankook Kinergy PT H737 has a treadwear rating of 860, which is exceptional (average in the category of all season touring is 546).
Below, we highlight 10 of the longest lasting tires for cars, SUVs, and light trucks to give you an idea of their price ranges, features and specifications. When you shop for tires online with Tire Agent, we will recommend dozens of tires for the year, make, model and trim level of your vehicle; in turn, you can compare based on numerous factors, including tread wear ratings.
Globally renowned Korean tire manufacturer Hankook is one of the original equipment tire manufacturers for vehicle brands Audi, BMW, Ford, and Hyundai. Hankook’s Kinergy line is one of the first sustainable tires produced with an ISCC PLUS certification that indicates it’s manufactured using eco-friendly materials. The PT H737 itself is a premium touring all-weather tire that’s built for a longer life. It’s notable for having an excellent treadwear rating and a 90,000-mile warranty to back it up.
When Goodyear says “MaxLife,” they mean it. This all-season tire is designed purely around reliability and long-term savings, as it has one of the highest treadwear ratings on the market. The Goodyear brand has over 125 years in the tire industry and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. The Assurance MaxLife has an impressive 85,000 mile warranty and a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
A high performance all-season tire, the Defender2 is known for superior comfort and minimal road noise. This tire also handles snow and rain surprisingly well. But, above all else, it’s built for durability and performance. Michelin’s Defender2 has an 80,000 mileage warranty, a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, roadside assistance, and it’s EV-ready. Michelin is a well-established name in the tire industry, and it’s easy to see why.
Another excellent Michelin all-season tire that’s known for a comfortable ride and a marked improvement in miles per gallon. This is one of the best dry road tires that you’ll find on the market that’s completely designed to maximize your tread life. The “T + H” name comes from the fact that it has two speed ratings. These ratings are based on what temperature the tire can handle at high speeds. In this case, T rated tires mean it can handle speeds up to 118 mph and works with sedans and passenger vans. The H rating is a rating for up to 130mph, working with most commuter vehicles as well. The T + H also has an 80,000 mileage warranty, a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, and roadside assistance.
This long-lasting all-season Michelin tire is meant for SUVs, trucks, and vans. It has excellent dry and wet road performance and is optimized for road comfort and durability. You won’t have as much success off-road with this tire, as it’s built around road performance, but you’ll have a tough time finding a longer lasting tire that works well with larger vehicles. This tire has Michelin’s 70,000-mile warranty, 60-day satisfaction guarantee, and roadside assistance.
Japanese-based tire manufacturer Bridgestone has been producing high quality tires since 1931 with sales across the globe. Their Dueler H/L Alenza PLUS is a premium tire that’s meant to improve fuel economy and last as long as possible. The tire has excellent all-weather performance, being able to withstand wet and mild off-road conditions. The Dueler H/L Alenza PLUS has an 80,000-mile warranty.
The TrueContact Tour is a touring tire, which means it’s meant to perform like an all-season tire but with better handling and speed rating. This tire lives up to that standard with equally impressive dry and wet weather performance. The Tour54 model is the newest iteration of the TrueContact, offering even higher expected tread life, and it’s EV ready. The German-based Continental brand is known for producing premium tires that live up to their high standards. Both have an 80,000-mile warranty.
Some models of Yokohama’s AVID Ascend come with UTQG ratings of 800, while others carrying a UTQG of 740. Either way, this tire’s expected treadwear is higher than average, placing it on our list of tires with the best treadwear expectations.
The only tire on our list that’s explicitly designed for the innovative crossover SUV, the Wildpeak AT Trail is a great all-season choice that’s not only comfortable but also durable. The Falken WildPeak is the OEM for several crossover SUVs and has a remarkable MPG rating on-road. This tire has a 65,000-mile warranty.
This all-terrain tire is tough, blocky, and durable. As the one of the only tires on our list that can handle mud, snow, and tough terrain with no problem, the Open Country A/T III is unique in that it also has an excellent treadwear rating. Note that this tire is meant for trucks, SUVs, and other off-road vehicles that need larger sizes. The Open Country A/T III has a 65,000-mile warranty.
*Prices are subject to change and based on availability, size, materials, and other factors. Prices do not reflect discounts.
Photo 135474411 © Sergiy Goncharov | Dreamstime.com