Winter (often) comes early in Colorado and it signaled the beginning of our long term test on Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Tires. Our size:205/50R-17, once was a unique tire size – now it’s becoming fairly common. This means, tires are more expensive to replace, have low side-walls and tend to ride poorly.
That has not been the case with the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Tires.
Our test car is a 2006 Mazda5 with a manual transmission. In seven years, three sets of tires have been rotated through the Mazda5’s lifetime and not one make gave me the sense of all-around capability. Most of these tires were considered premium and cost up to $150 each. Some were built for sport and others mud and snow, none of these tires were particularly comfortable.
Installed in late October, I waited until early December to log the ability and comfort of the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Tires. Any tire feels good on a smooth highway, but jump into Colorado’s harsh environment, especially snow and ice, you quickly sort out what works best.
Thus far, the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Tires has surprised me in nearly every conceivable way. The ride, even over snowy roads, is impeccable. The Mazda5 is basically an over-sized Mazda3 hatchback, so much of the weight is over the front wheels. Around wet and icy corners, the grip is resolute. Stopping distances and emergency cornering on dry surfaces seems about as good as Toyo Tires, but the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Tires were much better on snow, ice, gravel and harsh roads.
There is one area that, based on my aesthetic sensibilities, could be improved. It’s not a very pretty tire. I know, tires are not fashion statements. You would be surprised at how many people like raised white letters, aggressive-looking sidewalls, sporty looking tread pattern or a macho name – the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Tires I’m testing have none of those aesthetic enhancements.
According to Goodyear, the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Tires have:
- “A special comfort layer in the tread helps provide, on average, 20% more cushion than standard passenger tires** See details
- ComfortEdge sidewalls help provide a versatile balance of comfort and handling
- An asymmetric tread helps provide refined handling and confident wet traction
- Wide circumferential grooves help evacuate water away from the tread for enhanced traction on wet roads
- Eligible for an 80,000 mi./130,000 km Tread Life Limited Warranty on T- and H-speed rated sizes and a 70,000 mi./110,000 km Tread Life Limited Warranty on V-speed rated sizes
- Eligible for the Highway Auto and Light Truck Tire Replacement Limited Warranty See Tire Warranty Details” – – Goodyear
That extra layer of cushion not only contributes to better ride comfort, they appear to be quieter. In its first 1,000 miles, the driver reported a much more secure road feel and outstanding snow grip for a tire that’s not winter-only rubber. Having the feeling of security is huge considering the already brutal winter conditions.
Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Tires have a base MSRP of $124. According to Tire Rack, the 205/50R-17 on a TPMS-equipped wheel costs $159-each. These are considered “premium” tires and have, so far, out performed expectations.
My next entry will be in the late spring of 2014.
Editor’s Note -Goodyear provided a set of four tires for at no charge for the purpose of this review.
Check out this video of Goodyear’s new off road tire!
