Writing about the
Goodyear EfficientGrip given
93% (215-55-16-H)
Driving on
a combination of roads for 0
average miles
Firstly, some background. This isn't part of the review, but will provide some context. I don't use a single set of tires. Instead I have summer tires (the Goodyear EfficientGrip I'm reviewing) on the original alloys that came with the vehicle and winter tires (Nangkang SV2) on a set of steels. It makes changing them a doddle (sub 1hr) and therefore makes sure that I do swap them over twice a year.
Due to my rotation of winter/summer, it also means I can rotate front/back tires on both sets and get almost perfect even wear across all the tires. I've found this is the best way with tires as it means I'm always getting the best performance from the tread and I can replace an entire set of 4, not pairs and swap with the rears like I used to.
Another advantage is I can inspect each tire very closely for uneaven wear, bulges, separation etc and make sure that when I drive the car, the stuff that keeps me alive is still at top performance. Now for the review...
Its very hard to give the exact mileage since I've swapped them for winters approximately twice a year (usually October/November and March/April). One thing I can say is I've had the tires for a VERY long time. I can't actually remember when I last got the summers replace. I'm very impressed, therefore, with the wear overall - bearing in mind I regularly swap front/rear.
The performance of these tires is very surprising - as is the car to be honest. Its a very boring standard Ford Mondeo Estate (diesel) but the handling of such a normal estate really surprises me sometimes if you push it! Especially with these tires. Its literally like driving a train. My driving is mixed/modest most of the time (I have a family) but occasionally I travel to Wales and Yorkshire with lots of twisty windy roads and you really can feel the performance of the tires. I've only started to notice a slight drop in performance down to the last 2-4mm - but that is because the centre treads really have lost most of their grip now - time to replace!
On the motorway, they are quiet as a mouse. I can't really comment on fuel economy as I only have the winters to compare to and it is to be expected there will be a significant difference between the two.
In the rain, I guess they could be a tad better if you push them but then again my driving style changes in the rain and I don't really push it. I've never had any issues with roundabouts, aquaplaning or emergency stops in the wet (defensive driving) - so can't ask for much more. If you try and push them in the wet then yes you will feel them losing grip. This is a positive comment - as you need a tire to tell you when its losing grip so you can correct before its too late. So good for normal driving, but dont expect them to be like glue in the wet.
I'm so pleased with the tires overall, I'll be replacing them with the same ones again. Even after some considerable research into what might have come on the market since.
This time I'm going for the EfficientGrip Performance as there is a slight improvement on economy and they are reinforced (estate car and uk potholes, enough said). With the label ratings of A A and under 70db, plus XL, and very high reviews on here and other vendors, its a no brainer for me.