Many people ask. Are Cooper tires good? Here is the definitive answer.

Yes, Cooper Tires has one of the strongest tire industry reputations. Cooper is known for its high-value products with good prices and that is why most drivers put Cooper tires as their top choices.

In this article, our team spent considerable effort and time to deliver you the most interesting feedback and customer experiences about Cooper Tires. Also, you will know what the best Cooper tires for each specific purpose for example: Discoverer AT3 4S for all-terrain, Cooper CS5 Grand Touring for all seasons, and Cooper Discoverer Enduramax for SUVs.

We also put three alternative suggestions for Cooper tires that match the same Cooper quality and price characteristics. So. let’s go.

  • Best Cooper tires for passenger cars – Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring.
  • Best performance Cooper tires – Cooper Zeon RS3-G1.
  • Best Cooper tires for SUVs –Cooper discoverer Enduramax.
  • Best Cooper tires for trucks –Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT.
  • Best all-season Cooper tires – Cooper CS5 Grand Touring.
  • Best winter Cooper tires – Cooper Evolution Winter.
  • Best all-terrain Cooper tires.
  • 1. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.
  • 2. Cooper Discoverer S-T MAXX.
  • Good price and quality alternatives for Cooper tires.
    • 1# Kumho tires.KUMHO  SOLUS TA11.
    • 2# General tires.GENERAL  ALTIMAX RT45
    • 3# Sumitomo tire.SUMITOMO  HTR A/S P03

Cooper brand review.

In this part, we will give you some important aspects in terms of the manufacturing history of Cooper. who will buy this brand, and some interesting advantages – and drawback points.

Cooper history and manufacturing.

Cooper is based in Findlay, Ohio. The starting point for this brand is selling tire patches and tire repair kits but it quickly turned toward tire manufacturing to become the fourth largest tire manufacturer in the US.

In 2021, Goodyear acquired Cooper Company but still produces tires with its brand name.

Now, Cooper has expanded its industry to produce other brand names tires. such as Dean, Mastercraft, Micky Thompson, and Roadmaster.

For whom is Cooper Tires?

Cooper tire is basically for people who seeking to combine affordable prices without sacrificing elegant tire characteristics. Whatever the vehicle size you have, whatever the weather conditions you drive in, whatever the type of road you rolling on, you will catch the right Cooper tire choice at a reasonable price.

What are customer’s experiences with Cooper tires?

What customers like are:-

  1. Enjoying quiet and smooth riding with Cooper tires.
  2. Typical acceptable prices.
  3. Proven traction and stability in wet, snow roads.
  4. Confident load index, you can trust it with heavy loads in the vehicle.
  5. The customers show their satisfaction with the terrain types on mud and gravel road performance.

What customers don’t like are:-

  1. The short lifetime for Cooper tires tread. Some customers observe that the tread depth has quickly become low after short mileage.
  2. It doesn’t offer as many types as competitors.

The #8 Most reputable type of Cooper tires.

We have collected the best-reviewed Cooper tires that meet all driver’s needs. Under each Cooper model, our experts will provide features and benefits for each tire and what it is best for.

Best Cooper tires for passenger cars – Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring.

Type.Non-winter for passenger cars.
Dry traction.8.9
Wet traction.8.5
snow traction.5.9
size.15’’ to 19’’
Treadwear.7
noise.7.6
Test fuel efficiency.29.5 MPG.

Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring is the best choice for sedans, coupes, and crossovers. it is the proper option for those seeking good performance at an affordable price.

The tread is made of coupled silica compound arranged in a symmetrical pattern to help the tire for better handling and cornering stability. It gives impressive lateral traction and stable cornering due to its low voids in the tire shoulder.

It is a non-winter tire so its gripping performance on wet surfaces isn’t expected to be great, However, some customer reviews show satisfied wet traction in the early miles for the tire.

It can easily avoid hydroplaning because of its central ribs and intensive sipes on the tire shoulder. In addition to 3D Micro-gauge siping throughout the tread that controls the tire in light snow. Kindly note that the Cooper CS5 tire doesn’t get the 3MPSF symbol which provides verified safety for snow conditions.

In brief, if you often drive away from off-roads and severe snow surfaces, you will enjoy comfortable riding with this tire. Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring offers a great balance between the price and accepted general performance in dry, wet, and snow traction for passenger vehicles. 

proscons
Reasonable price.Average tread longevity.
Confident dry road traction.Mild wet and snow balance.
Don’t pick up nails compared to the average tire.
Soft and comfortable riding.



Best performance Cooper tires – Cooper Zeon RS3-G1.

Type.Ultra High-performance tire.
Dry traction.9.2
Wet traction.8.6
Ice traction.5
size.16’’ to 20’’
Treadwear.8
noise.8.5
Test fuel efficiency.30.1 MPG.

Welcome to sports car drivers, Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 comes to match your need for trusted cornering handling, plus great wet and dry traction. I know friends who own Camaros and Mustangs, and they usually feel comfortable riding after they have installed these tires 5 months ago.

Experts strongly recommend  Zeon RS3-G1 for sporty coupes and performance sedans that looking to combine performance and reasonable prices. But, keep in mind that you can’t get a tire of high performance with high tread longevity. Both driving habits for sports car drivers and high-performance tire components will participate in fast tread falls.

Tire tread coupled silica compound is the reason behind wet and dry traction. The tire offers UTQG criteria of 500 AAA—Treadwear rate500, traction rate AA, and temperature rate A. See how to read tire [1]

It provides hydroplaning resistance because of four deep circumferential and lateral grooves that evacuate the moisture away from the tire. Another feature of Zeon RS3-G1 is it contains 3-D Gauge sipes that participate in gripping advantages in all conditions.

As the tire is often run at high speed, the tire is reinforced with twin steel belts that overlay with nylon wraps to give the vehicle high-speed capabilities.

proscons
Sharp handling and responseImpressive lateral cornering grip.
Impressive lateral cornering grip..
Excellent wet and dry traction.
Special urgent steering response.



Best Cooper tires for SUVs -Cooper discoverer Enduramax.

Type.Crossover/SUV Touring
seasonNon-winter tire
Dry traction.9.3
Wet traction.8.9
Ice traction.7.8
size.16’’ to 20’’
Treadwear.8.7
noise.8.4

Discoverer Enduramax is the best Cooper brand option for drivers of SUVs and crossovers who have combined riding on off-roads and city roads. The tire ensures high durability levels to withstand difficult conditions and also offers impressive traction on gravel roads.

Discoverer Enduramax has armor belt technology, robust casing, and steel belts covered with nylon overlays to deliver extra strength and make the tire endure cracks, potholes, and other road imperfections.

If you run on unpaved roads from time to time, you can trust this tire. The tire also can be easily used on coarse surfaces due to the tread compound is manufactured with technology -DURABLE TREAD TECHNOLOGY-  that resists tire CC ( cut and chip).

You can confidently drive on snow surfaces as discoverer Enduramax gets a 3MPSF symbol to meet severe snow service requirements. Also, the sawtooth grooves in tire tread and zigzag-shaped sipes enhance tire traction on slippery surfaces.

Another advantage of Enduramax is it gives you stability on wet surfaces due to circumferential grooves and lateral notches that evacuate surrounding water and avoid hydroplaning. To run more confidently on wet surfaces you have to know that the tire has separated tread blocks at the tire shoulders that include sipes to improve wet traction.

The tire offers UTQG criteria of 640 A A. tread wear rate 640 shows excellent longevity, traction rate A shows very good wet traction, and temperature rate A shows excellent heat resistance.

proscons
Extremely durable tread compound.Predictable road noise.
Good off-road enduring.
Excellent snow traction.
Confident handling and stability.
Tested short braking distance.



Best Cooper tires for trucks -Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT.

Type.Year-round On-Road tire.
Off-road.8.6
Dry traction.9.4
Wet traction.8.9
snow traction.8.5
size.15’’ to 20’’
Treadwear.8.6
noise.8.6

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is a good suggestion for extra-large pickup trucks and big SUVs. With this tire, you will not only enjoy comfortable quiet riding but also gain confidence riding in off-road conditions. particularly if you need extreme hauling features.

Active lifestyle drivers like me who usually run over different types of roads such as mud, snow, gravel, or urban smooth roads will feel satisfied with this tire’s manipulative performance. in addition to stone ejectors that prevent stone drilling and protect your tires from puncture.

Feeling confident riding with the AT3 XLT tire is back to its strong tread which is manufactured from shred-resistant silica compound. the tire delivers excellent stability and handling response at high speeds because it has a casing made of two-ply polyester and two strong steel belts covered by nylon layers.

If you look at the tire side wall, you will see separated tread blocks. This aggressive sidewall appearance makes the tire endure with rocks and plow through mud. Also, the tire shoulder delivers resistance to punctures and erosion.

The tire easily goes through wet surfaces as it improves hydroplaning resistance through its circumferential grooves and lateral teeth. Along the tread, you will see zigzag sipes that confirm traction on slippery surfaces.

Thanks to whisper grooves inside and outside the tire tread zone that keep the noise away from You while driving.

The tire tread comes with 16/32 tread depth which is relatively higher than relevant competitors, so it high tread life span in the tread zone. However, some user’s reviews have experience with tire sidewall cracks. 

proscons
Perfect off-road reliability.Some challenges to balance.
Good handling response.
Effective snow traction.
Hard to get punctured.



Best all-season Cooper tires – Cooper CS5 Grand Touring.

Type.Standard Touring All-Season.
Dry traction.9.1
Wet traction.8.4
snow traction.7
size.15’’ and 16’’
Treadwear.8.6
noise.8.3

Cooper CS5 Grand Touring is the best option among its competitors in the same price range. It truly delivers values of comfortable riding, stable handling in different weather conditions, and a confident steering response. All of those features against a very affordable price.

The tire is suitable for sedans, and coupes drivers who usually run on urban roads with just normal day-to-day trips. However, you can use it on off-road and gravel surfaces but you will sacrifice for tread life span. From my experience, I recommend some tactics to ensure this tire’s longevity, including regularly rotating the tire and avoiding any crazy driving behavior.

You can trust the tire braking performance due to its coupled silica compound. In addition, a symmetric pattern for tread design prevent un even tire wear.

Although the price of the CS5 Grand Touring tire is low, it delivers confident lateral traction and handling due to its large tread blocks and low void on the tire shoulder. It can also resist hydroplaning due to high sipe density and lateral tire grooves.

As I mensioned, you can use the tire in the snow because of its 3D Micro-Gauge siping that creates sharp edges to grip the snow surface.

The tire offers UTQG criteria of 780 A A. Tread wear rate 780, traction rate A, and temperature rate A show excellent heat resistance.

proscons
Very reasonable price.Short tread life.
Evenly wear tire.Generate some road sounds.
Improved fuel mileage due to low rolling resistance.Not for severe winter conditions.
Comfortable riding.



Best winter Cooper tires – Cooper Evolution Winter.

Type.Studded winter tire.
Dry traction.8.9
Wet traction.8.9
snow traction.9.3
size.15’’ to 20’’
Treadwear.8.8
noise.7.7

In wintertime time, you definitely need tires that deliver confident wet traction and can perfectly handle the hydroplaning. Whatever your vehicle type or size, Cooper Tires Brand offers evolution winter models to meet your needs in winter conditions.

If you see the tire sidewall symbols, you will get (3PMSF) indicating it meets to severe snow service rating. However, a few customer reviews show that the tire doesn’t deliver snow traction as well as on winter surfaces. This may be due to they set only a couple of tires, as the manufacturer recommends using Evolution winter tires only in sets of four to provide the best handling characteristics and tire performance.

Those Cooper tire tread blocks are directionally arranged to show good acceleration and braking performance in winter conditions. it is a studded tire, in case you like to stud it to give extra snow traction.

The center rib in this tire is slightly different as it consists of rigid tread blocks that are also directionally arranged to give broader contact to the ground for better handling and steering response.

Sipes over the tread are multi-angled to provide a lot of biting edges that ensure additional gripping features at slippery surfaces and cornering.

As you know the circumferential grooves and open edges in the shoulders are here to evacuate the water away from the tire and to resist hydroplaning.

proscons
Cooper tires affordable price.Modest tread life.
Quiet and comfortable riding.
Excellent winter traction



Best all-terrain Cooper tires.

For people who looking for tires suitable for tough road conditions like mud, gravel, and rocky surfaces. They usually need tires with high tread rigidity and strength to endure different weather conditions.

1. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.

Type.Off-road all-terrain tire.
Off-road.8.7
Dry traction.9.2
Wet traction.9
Snow traction.8.8
Size.15’’ to 22’’
Treadwear.8.6
Noise.9

The tire with plenty of advantages and positive feedback for drivers of full-size SUVs, trucks, and crossovers. AY3 4S is specially manufactured for those seeking adventure trips at weekends due to its impressive reliable performance in off-road conditions.

Discoverer AT3 4S tread pattern is designed to grip all terrain securely due to its silica raw material in its composition that delivers extra gripping performance in a wide range of environments and temperatures.

Most of the tires I have reviewed shew some super advantages over others. But with AT3 4S which gets broad fans who support their wet and dry traction capabilities.

Look at the tire, you will observe 5 ribs with open shapes to provide the required traction. Over the tread, there are plenty of zigzag sipes that create biting edges for better traction, in addition to edges at the shoulder that look like sawtooth to grip well at snow layers.

Don’t forget that the tire meets snow service rating requirements and earns the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol ( 3PMSF). The tire also shows confident braking performance over snow roads as it stops over 20 feet shorter than relevant competitors.

AT3 4S also makes you drive confidently in wet areas due to its AQUA-VAC channels and lateral notches that resist hydroplaning.

The advantages don’t stop here, it continues to involve high tire handling response and stability even at high speeds due to its internal structure of two-ply polyester casing and nylon layers above the two strong steel belts.

proscons
Excellent off-road traction.Pick small rocks.
A firm tire over unpaved roads.
Confident traction in dry, wet, snow, and even at subzero temps.
Noticeable quiet riding.
The tire wears evenly.


2. Cooper Discoverer S-T MAXX.

Type.Studdable all-terrain tire
Off-road.8.9
Dry traction.9.1
Wet traction.8.3
Snow traction.8.9
Size.15’’ to 20’’
Treadwear.7.8

Cooper discoverer S-T MAXX is one of the Cooper tires you can feel confident driving in tough conditions like gravel and cracks or potholes with minimal chucking. It can easily deal with mud without losing traction.

The tire fits SUVs, full-size crossovers, and trucks that seek decent performance in dry and wet conditions including snow roads.

S-T MAXX takes the aggressive impact for the tire’s shape. the tire’s construction contains two perpendicular radial plies plus the angled third body ply. All these angeled plies reduce the gap between sidewall cords to provide extreme strength for the sidewall.

In addition to the strong sidewall, the tire tread is supported by two steel belts covered by nylon reinforcement layers to improve the durability of the tire tread and high-speed capabilities.

If you look at the tire, you will see 15 optional metal studs to enhance your vehicle traction on snow layers. Kindly note that studded tires are prohibited in some provinces.

In terms of wet traction, both the silica component in the tire and the biting edges of the tread sipes guarantee high tire wet traction. In addition to the high void tread pattern that protects your tire from hydroplaning.

Another great benefit that ensures tire longevity and makes the tire hard to get punctured is the stone ejectors and non-parallel grooves that resist small rock retention and prevent stone drilling.

proscons
Great snow traction.It is a heavy tire that is hard to balance. This can cause tire cupping, vibration, and road noise.
Cut and chip-resistant tire.
Experienced off-road high performance.
Self-cleaning tire.



#3 Good price and quality alternatives for Cooper tires.

The three following options deliver very similar quality to Cooper tires and are available in the market at low prices.

1# Kumho tires.

Well-established Korean brand since 1960 that produces a reasonable variety of available tire models and sizes for different vehicles. Kumo is well known for its value-priced products and good warranty. What customers like is the tire’s mid-range price, great longevity, reliability, and excellent performance in rainy conditions.

KUMHO  SOLUS TA11.

It is a standard touring all-season tire recommended for sedan, small crossover, and minivan drivers who looking for tires that last long with a minimum price charge. 

The most noticeable advantage that the majority of users have experienced with Kunho TA11 is quiet and smooth riding quality so thanks for mild a symmetric tread pattern. 

Another amazing point is the dual silicon compound that is engineered to cool quickly. this significantly improves tire tread life and fuel efficiency.

Although the tire shoulders contain notches to enhance wet traction, it is not a true winter tire so you couldn’t be fully confident in its performance in rain.

You feel confident in cornering with this tire due to the stability features of the rounded shoulder that keep the tire in continual contact with the road.

Kumho`s ESCOT casing technology is responsible for the long tread life of the tire and excellent steering response. It optimizes the distribution tension of the sidewall cord. Also, there are spirally wrapped nylon layers that support twin steel belts to provide the tire with durability and high-speed qualifications.




2# General tires.

What is worth knowing is that General Tires was acquired by Continental Tire Company in 1987. This reflects the trustworthiness of the quality of general tire manufacturing. General tires prove their efficiency in the U.S. market due to their characteristics longevity, excellent warranties, and quiet riding.

GENERAL  ALTIMAX RT45.

It is the recent generation of the proven efficient RT43 version. ALTIMAX RT45 is grand touring all-season tires for sedans, coupes, and CUV drivers who want to get all-season perfect handling with low-budget tires.

RT45 offers reliable handling and excellent dry traction due to its strong interlocking treads arranged a symmetrically. Also, several customers have positive feedback regarding tire wet traction due to the four circumferential grooves that resist hydroplaning.

You can confidently roll RT45 on any slippery surface without skidding because the tires have lateral voids and slots on their shoulders. and sipes along the tire tread, creating additional biting edges that prevent the tire from slipping.

You can easily detect the time for tire replacement due to the replacement tire monitor ( RTM) imprinted to the center rib to read ‘’ replace tire ‘’. Also, the tire has visual alignment indicators (VAI) on the shoulder to clearly tell you if any alignment issue is detected.

Finally, experts classified the RT45 for average use, not for spirited driving to keep it is handling and gripping performance as long as possible.




3# Sumitomo tire.

When it comes to decent mid-level tires at good prices, we should mention Sumitomo tires. This Japanese brand since 1919 has been ranked fifth of the largest tire manufacturer in the world in 2019. Sumitomo Rubber is known for its excellent high-performance tires, safety, and long-lasting tread. however, some customers have concerns about Sumitomo’s limited tire varieties available. It is important to know that the Sumitomo rudder industry has other well-known brands in the market like Falken tires.

SUMITOMO  HTR A/S P03

Experts classified HTR A/S P03 as ultra-high-performance all-season tires. This is because it has proven its ability for dry and wet traction in different weather as well as its cornering stability and improved handling performance.

If you like sporty driving, HTR A/S P03 is a good choice to meet the exceptional performance you want. The tire silica compound is the key element for its considerable stability and handling performance. Also solid bead that promotes sidewall rigidity helps in improving steering response.

On a wet surface, the customer shows their great thanks for the tires’ winter traction. The cross grooves and Miura-Ori sipes technology work together to give better road contact and maximize winter traction. Another technology by Sumitomo is FIN design in intermediate rib to create evacuation channels for hydroplaning resistance.

What customers mainly like with HTR A/S tires are very impressive quiet smooth riding and exceptional responsive handling at affordable prices. Although the rigid internal structure of the tire includes a two-ply polyester casing and twin steel belts covered by strong nylon layers, some customers experience short tread lifespans.

According to our experience, we think that SUMITOMO  HTR A/S P03 is one of the best options you have to think about in case you want to get considerable traction and stable performance at a good price.




Why could you choose Cooper Tire brand?

  1. The most significant reason is the price point for Cooper’s brand name. This brand always offers cheaper prices ranging from 100 to 200 $ per set compared to its competitors without skimping on capability.
  2. Also, it focuses on rigidity in manufacturing its tires which make you feel safe while driving. Cooper uses a proprietary rubber compound that enhances performance and safety against impacts and rough roads.
  3. If you support domestic industries, Cooper is the optimum option for you as it is manufactured in the USA.
  4. You can trust Cooper brand as it has landed an OE tire contract with well-known vehicle brands such as Ford, Volkswagen, and Mercedes. It definitely reflects their trust in cooper manufacturing standards.
  5. Cooper has a positive practice toward environmental preservation. It is committed to reducing environmental impacts throughout all manufacturing processes. It also adopted a program for tire recycling and diminishing CO2 emissions by focusing on energy efficiency.
  6. Considerable Cooper Tires warranty offers two types of warranty which is considered one of the best options.
    • A limited warranty applies on replacement tires for passenger and light truck cars and replaces any defective appears on the Cooper tires before the tread wears out, such as tire bulbs or cuts.
    • Cooper Treadwear warranty is the highest limit among its competitors Up to 80k miles.
  7. Cooper advanced technologies. Cooper innovates some tire technology to serve specific features.
    • Wear square technology: it is a visual wear indicator that allows the driver to monitor tire wear in an easier way than other traditional wear indicators.
    • 3D Micro-Gauge Siping: it is tiny slits on tire tread for better grip on slippery surfaces.
    • Silica-based compounds that reduce rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency.

Cooper Tires buying guide.

Generally, you have to consider the tire size and model suitable for your vehicle as well as the roads and the weather you often live in. but in a specific way, you have to look at:-

  • Tread pattern: tires always have either symmetrical, asymmetrical, diagonal, or combined patterns. This pattern is for doing specific jobs in terms of cornering, handling, or gripping according to its design. so it`s better to test tire performance on the road in some way.
  • Select the tire with experienced longevity.
  • Check significant tire metrics to be acceptable such as UTQG score, wet traction, speed rating, and noise cancelling.
  • Tire price: you must know that tire prices vary depending on the purpose you want for ex: ultra-performance tires are often more expensive than touring tires. Also, larger tires are higher in price than smaller ones.

Our opinion.

Cooper is noticeably able to get the attention of drivers who seek high-quality tire alternatives such as Michelin and Continental but with reasonable prices. Now you can choose with confidence Cooper tire varieties according to your needs.