J.D. Power study: Michelin is best tyre brand of 2021, outranks Pirelli, Goodyear

Customers are very happy when it comes to Michelin tyres, according to J.D. Power's 2021 Original Equipment Tyre Customer Satisfaction Survey.

So happy, that they've voted it to be the most satisfactory original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brand in every category, trumping brands like Pirelli and Goodyear.

The U.S.-based study is based on responses from 26,131 owners of 2018 and 2019 model-year vehicles. Metrics of the study factor in the absence of tyre-related issues, as well as appearance and performance after one and two years of use. 

Satisfaction is examined in four key areas, in order of importance:

• Tyre wear
• Tyre ride
• Tyre traction/handling
• Tyre appearance

Rankings are included among four vehicle segments (luxury, passenger car, performance sport, and truck/utility). All scores are based on a 1,000-point scale, and here's the ranking in full:

Luxury category

Michelin's first win is in the luxury segment, with an overall satisfaction score of 782, closely followed by Pirelli with a score of 760. The segment average is 750.

Passenger Car category

With a score of 752, Michelin also ranks highest in the passenger car segment, followed by Goodyear (739), and Kumho (736). The segment average is 721.

Performance Sport category

In the performance sport segment, with a score of 789, Michelin ranks the highest, followed by Goodyear with a score of 761. Pirelli and Bridgestone are below the segment average of 731.

Truck/Utility category

And finally, Michelin ranks highest in the truck/utility vehicles segment with a score of 771. Bridgestone ranks second (737) and rounding off the top three is Hankook (712), just one point above the segment average of 711.

WapCar's Comment:

Michelin's doing many things right to be crowned such unanimous favourites, but we're almost certain some will comment 'but they're expensive, cheap tyres are just as good!'.

Our tip? Don't cheap out on tyres. Sub-par ones are going to kill you, and there's a good reason why good tyres are costlier. Read our deep dive below to find out more.

Also read: A "cheap tyre” is going to kill you, here is why good tyres costs more

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