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Sumitomo is a key player in the tire industry, operating its own line as well as providing tires for several other well-known brands across the globe. But among all the tires it produces, which Sumitomo tires are the best?
In this Sumitomo review, we’ll discuss the brand in detail, going over company history, industry ratings, popular models, and more. We’ll also offer our top recommendations for tires based on our comprehensive review of the industry’s best tires. A new set of tires can be a costly purchase, so it’s smart to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
To start comparing a variety of tire brands, Sumitomo included, visit TireRack.
Established in 1919 in Osaka, Japan, Sumitomo Rubber Industries is the fifth-largest tire manufacturer in the world, according to a 2019 Tire Business report. Sumitomo not only produces its own tire line but also Dunlop, Ohtsu, and Falken tires in certain regions.
Sumitomo tires are known for their quality and affordable price range. Unlike other big-name brands, Sumitomo models rarely exceed $160 per tire. While they’re not as low-cost as Ironman tires or Cooper tires, Sumitomo’s pricing is accessible to many drivers.
Including its sub-brands, Sumitomo offers a broad range of tires. However, Sumitomo itself produces a relatively conservative number of models. It offers a greater selection of all-season and performance tires, but the manufacturer does not produce the most diverse range of all-terrain or winter tires.
Sumitomo tires follow an evaluation system created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This system is called Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG), and it grades tires – except specialized tires – based on their treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
Here’s an explanation of the UTQG grading system:
Treadwear: This grade estimates the longevity of your tires. To calculate treadwear, tires are measured against a control tire given a rating of 100. If a tire has a 500 treadwear rating, that means it lasted five times longer than the control. Most passenger tires have between a 300 and 500 treadwear rating, according to data from SaferCar.gov.
Traction: This grade measures how well your tires “grip” a wet road. Traction grades are given on a scale of AA, A, B, or C. Good day-to-day passenger tires typically receive A ratings.
Temperature: This grade evaluates a tire’s heat resistance on a scale of A, B, or C. Tires need to withstand different temperatures based on their specialization. Performance tires, for example, usually move at much higher speeds than all-season tires, and in turn, have higher temperature ratings.
It’s important to note that the NHTSA does not oversee UTQG tests.
Manufacturers and independent companies hired by brands are responsible for tire testing and reporting.
Below, we’ve listed a few top-rated Sumitomo tire models and their treadwear, traction, and temperature scores using data from SaferCar.gov.
| Sumitomo Tire Model | Tire Type | Treadwear Score | Traction Score | Temperature Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HTR A/S P02 (H- or V-Speed Rated) | Passenger High-performance All-season | 600 | A | A |
| HTR Enhance L/X (T-Speed Rated) | Passenger Standard touring All-season | 700 | A | B |
| Encounter AT | Light truck/SUV All-terrain | 600 | A | B |
| Touring LS T | Passenger Standard touring All-season | 520 | A | B |
If you want to know the UTQG scores for your current tires, they can be found on the tires’ sidewalls.
The most popular Sumitomo models are lauded for their traction, handling, and stability. The company offers excellent high-performance tires as well as notable all-season models for coupes, light trucks, and SUVs. These highly rated tires also boast long-lasting tread life warranties, many of which are between 60,000 and 70,000 miles.
Below, we’ve detailed a few of the most popular Sumitomo tires currently available.
Tire Type: Ultra high-performance all-season tire
Cost: $95.97 to $126.82 per tire
Tread Life: Up to 65,000 miles
The Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 (W-Speed Rated) tire is best-suited for speed enthusiasts and sports car owners. Also available in an H- or V-speed rated model, the tire features an asymmetric tread with silica compounds for an improved grip year-round. Its 3D sipes, an unusual design for a performance tire, make the tire suitable for some winter driving as well.
The next generation HTR A/S P03 further improves on the model’s cold-weather driving capabilities.
Tire Type: Max performance summer tire
Cost: $105.02 per tire
Tread Life: Not listed
If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly performance tire, the Sumitomo HTR Z III is your best bet. The tire offers a comfortable ride, stability, and notable traction in wet and dry conditions. Like many Sumitomo tires, this performance model features a silica-enhanced, asymmetric tread.
Tire Type: Highway all-season tire
Cost: $102.99 to $210.99 per tire
Tread Life: Up to 60,000 miles
The Encounter H/T can bear loads up to 3,750 pounds, depending on the tire size. It excels in wet and dry braking as well as has a long-lasting tread life warranty. This Sumitomo tire is designed with a symmetric tread pattern for even wear and four circumferential grooves to reduce hydroplaning on wet roads.
Tire Type: Standing touring all-season tire
Cost: $71.99 to $102.99
Tread Life: Up to 65,000 miles
The Sumitomo Touring LS T comes in sizes suitable for passenger cars, sedans, minivans, and crossovers. Though this all-season tire may not be the best model for snow and ice, it does provide good traction on dry and wet roads. The symmetric tread pattern ensures an even wear, while a carbon black compound increases the tire’s fuel efficiency and tread life.
Like most tire brands, Sumitomo offers a limited manufacturer warranty. The company covers its tires for six years after the initial purchase, which protects buyers if their tires malfunction due to defective materials or workmanship. Sumitomo’s tread life warranties are above average. Many of its models come with warranties above 50,000 miles, which is the industry standard.
Sumitomo tires are in the low to mid price range.
On average, most models cost $100. You won’t find any exceptionally cheap tires from Sumitomo – between $50 and $60 – but its products also rarely cost more than $165. Sumitomo models are best suited for drivers looking for tires more affordable than those from big-name brands but with better quality than your standard budget tire.
Here are the prices of a few Sumitomo tires:
Sumitomo tires are praised for their overall value – they offer a solid performance without an expensive price tag. Throughout the years, the brand has also won several design and eco-sustainability awards for its technological advancements.
Based on our research, most Sumitomo models hold around a 4.0-star customer rating.
To give you a better idea of Sumitomo’s pros and cons, we’ve detailed a few customer reviews from TireRack below.
“While we do have these tires on the family minivan, I consider myself a ‘spirited’ driver, and I am fully impressed with the Sumis. [The Sumitomo HTR Enhance L/X tires feature] very quiet highway cruising, comfortable ride, responsive handling, great traction, and braking in all conditions.”
– via TireRack
“Recently installed a full set of these Sumitomo Encounter AT, replacing the 1/2 worn Hankook Dynapro tires. My first driving impression is [the] 90% reduction in tire noise. Ride is much smoother over washboard and rough, uneven roads. City and highway driving [is] much improved.”
– via TireRack
“[The Sumitomo Touring LS T tires are] so loud.
These tires drove me crazy. I’ve never experienced a loud tire before, and didn’t understand how aggravating it could be.”
– via TireRack
“Not sure what happened with [the Sumitomo HTR Sport H/P] tires. It was my second set of the same tire of the same size on the same truck. The first set wore well, rode well and performed reasonably well. This new set rode awful and would not balance out. They also started to feather badly after just a few weeks and began to get [really] noisy.”
– via TireRack
Sumitomo offers some excellent options for drivers looking for high-quality and budget-friendly high performance tires. The manufacturer produces well-regarded all-season models for trucks and SUVs, especially its Encounter line. However, Sumitomo does not have the most diverse product lineup. We also wouldn’t put Sumitomo at the top of any of our “best” lists – they’re good, but not exceptional.
Michelin and Cooper secured the top two spots in our industry-wide tires review.
Michelin is best for buyers interested in a wide variety of tire types as well as superior quality and performance. Cooper tires, on the other hand, are a great budget-friendly option for replacement tires.
We rate Michelin tires the Best Tires Overall. The company has been a market leader for years, with customers coming back time and time again for Michelin’s tire variety and durability. In our review, we were impressed with how long the tires last – tread life warranties span up to 80,000 miles – which helps justify the tires’ hefty price tags. The brand also had several models appear on our list of the industry’s best all-season tires.
To start comparing prices for Michelin tires, visit TireRack.
If you’re looking for affordability, make sure to look into Cooper tires. Based on our research, this brand is unmatched when it comes to cost-effectiveness. Although the company hasn’t been in business for as long as some of its century-old competitors, it’s already built up a strong reputation for its low-cost, high-quality tires.
To start comparing Cooper tires, visit TireRack.
Not every tire brand has a good balance between cost and quality. So, finding cheap tires with stable performance is difficult for most users.
Fortunately, in the past few years, Sumitomo Tires has emerged with quality products at competitive prices. So, this brand from Japan is still worth a try.
In this Sumitomo Tires review, I will try to clarify its specific pros and cons and suggest some unique options.
Sumitomo Tires OverviewSumitomo Tires is a common name for products manufactured by Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited (SRI). This Japanese brand produces a lot of rubber tools, and tire tires are one of them.
It is not difficult for us to access seven models of Sumitomo tires, divided into two distinctly different segments. For the touring tire line, you will have two options: Tour Plus and Touring LS.
Meanwhile, Enhance WX2, Enhance LX2, A/S PO2, A/S PO3, and Z5 are the 5 available names in the HTR tire list.
Sumitomo has also integrated many technologies that improve travel performance into touring and HTR tires.
Each also has to go through different rigorous testing steps. Only grade models that meet all stringent standards reach the consumer.
Why Choose Sumitomo Tires?I usually don’t pay too much attention to cheap tires. But Sumitomo Tires is an exception. These products convinced me with their unique features.
Although not too special, it is difficult to find these features in cheap tires. It is also the reason why you should care about Sumitomo tires.
All-round comfortSumitomo pays excellent attention to the smoothness and sound used on all tire models. Even with HTR tires, they still find ways to give users the most comfortable feeling when operating.
Although the experience is not as complete as the high-end models, I still appreciate the effort of this brand.
With touring tires, Sumitomo has maintained mechanisms to minimize discomfort. I hardly felt any pain or noisy sounds despite moving continuously for a long time. And my long rides are now less stressful.
DurableDurability is quite a rare factor on cheap tire models. I was pretty surprised with the 90000-mile lifespan of some Sumitomo models. It has far surpassed many other competitors in the same price range in terms of durability.
Stable tractionWhether a cheap or a high-end tire, traction is always a factor that significantly impacts performance. Understanding this problem, Sumitomo has applied many technologies to stabilize its products’ traction. The most prominent must be the sturdy tread structure and strict tests before shipment.
I checked all the tire models and found that the traction on each product was above average. But the most impressive are the two models of HTR tires, A/S and A/S PO3, with outstanding wet and dry acceleration performance.
While cheap touring tires prioritize comfort, Sumitomo Tires products also have handling elements. It is not difficult for me to realize this improvement after trial use. In general, easier control will help the movement have stability and safety.
Who Makes Sumitomo Tires?Behind these models is Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited, the world’s leading rubber manufacturing corporation. Although not as famous in the West as Michelin or Bridgestone, this brand is trendy in Asia.
Although not focusing on tire production, the products from Sumitomo are of stable quality. A wealth of manufacturing experience has enabled them to create efficient products at low costs.
Where Are Sumitomo Tires Made?While most cheap tire models are from China, Sumitomo tires are sourced from the United States and Japan. Therefore, the quality and perfection of these products are always at a high level.
Via practical experience, I’ve objectively evaluated the popular Sumitomo tire models below. You should consult carefully to have an accurate view of this tire.
Passenger car
Sumitomo Ice Edgeat DiscountTire.com at TireRack.com at SimpleTire.com at Amazon.com
Ice Edge is a specialized snow tire model for passenger vehicles from the Sumitomo brand. About performance, it is enough to serve you through the harsh winter.
I tried using tires to move in heavy snow conditions and icy roads. The results are reasonable when its high grip and stability have made the vehicle operation much more stable. It also maintains performance on both dry and wet roads.
The manufacturer has equipped the most intuitive indicators to control wear. It’s easy to tell how worn the tires are. Yet, I find the runtime is still relatively short, and this improvement is ineffective.
Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2at DiscountTire.
com at TireRack.com at SimpleTire.com at Amazon.com
Compared to other products in the same segment, the Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 has a much better grip on dry roads.
Just a few simple measurements allow me to know how much friction the tire creates. As a result, your vehicle will move more securely and safely.
Along with the grip, the cornering performance of the HTR Enhance LX2 is also a factor you should not ignore. Despite navigating through a series of dangerous turns, I did not see my car lose stability.
It is a pity that Enhance LX2 does not have the same high tire durability as other Sumitomo products. Although the manufacturer has tried to compensate with an extended warranty program, I do not feel secure when using this tire model.
Sumitomo Touring LS T/H/DRAWat DiscountTire.com at TireRack.com at SimpleTire.com at Amazon.com
Touring LS T/H/V is the most suitable tire for you on long trips. The parameters indicate that this product has exceptionally stable traction in various conditions.
I’ve done real-world tests, and the results are the same on dry or wet surfaces.
The Sumitomo tire model has impressive durability and resistance, at least when compared to other touring designs. However, the manufacturer still offers users a warranty program for up to 85,000 miles.
Sumitomo HTR A/S P03at DiscountTire.com at TireRack.com at SimpleTire.com at Amazon.com
HTR A/S P03 is a tire with excellent balance that you should not ignore. The product performs well on both dry and wet terrain.
I’m entirely sure of my thoughts through the grip and brake performance tests. Even complicated cornering maneuvers are not a big obstacle for the A/S P03.
Stable traction is the next factor that attracts me. Despite moving continuously for a long time, I still quickly accelerate whenever.
It is a necessary element for more efficient vehicle operation. Despite creating quite a lot of drag friction, the tire does not produce a large amount of sound.
Light truck
Sumitomo Encounter HTat DiscountTire.com at TireRack.com at SimpleTire.com at Amazon.com
Encounter HT is the most stable choice among Sumitomo products for light truck models. It possesses steady wet and dry traction on a variety of surfaces.
So, I didn’t have too much trouble accelerating or dragging heavy objects behind.
Although it looks heavy, Sumitomo Encounter HT works exceptionally silently. Even the most sensitive sound meter doesn’t pick up too much from the tire.
Driving a light truck is hard work, so this improvement has made me much more comfortable. Like many other Sumitomo models, the Encounter HT is useless on snowy surfaces.
Sumitomo Encounter ATat DiscountTire.com at TireRack.com at SimpleTire.com at Amazon.com
To overcome areas with complex terrain, you need to use Sumitomo Encounter AT. This off-road tire is strong enough to take me through rocky areas or large sandy beaches.
Also, its self-cleaning feature makes its grip and friction almost unchanged.
Usually, manufacturers will not provide warranties for off-road tire models. And the 60,000-mile after-sales program on Encounter AT is a very excellent point.
Unlike touring or all-season models, off-road tires like the Encounter AT operate pretty noisily, especially in rough areas.
Sumitomo Encounter HT2at DiscountTire.com at TireRack.com at SimpleTire.com at Amazon.com
Sumitomo Encounter HT2 is a valuable improved version of Encounter HT.
The product received a lot of boost in both performance and stability. I got the parameters through some tests and compared them with the front tire model. The difference between the performance of HT2 and HT is enormous.
Inheriting the characteristics of the old version, Encounter HT2 also moves quite silently, even on the most frictional surfaces. But its snow performance still hasn’t improved much.
SUV/Crossover
Sumitomo HTR Enhance CX2at DiscountTire.
com at TireRack.com at SimpleTire.com at Amazon.com
Driving feel is the factor I appreciate most on the Sumitomo HTR Enhance CX2.
Even using a heavy SUV, it is still not easy for me to operate without too much effort. Combined with high dry traction, traveling with the tire is much better.
Once again, Sumitomo ignored the snow performance on their product. It is why Enhance CX2 has such lousy performance in this condition.
FAQsThe association agreement between Sumitomo and Goodyear has long since ended. Although Sumitomo still owns a large number of shares of Goodyear.
Not only acting as a manufacturer, but Sumitomo is also a supplier and sponsor for many other tire brands. The most prominent are Dunlop and Falken, which have a specific place in the market today.
Most Sumitomo tire models maintain quite good silence.
However, there are a few exceptions, most of which are off-road tires.
No, it is not. Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. is the central unit producing Sumitomo tires.
Through several simulation tests, I have the complete results about the resistance of this tire line. Most tire models have a lifespan of about 55,000 to 60,000 miles, which is relatively high compared to the common ground. In the rest, there is endurance reaching 80,000 or even 90,000 miles.
You will need to spend from $ 100 to $ 165 to own any model of Sumitomo Tires.
ConclusionAbove are the detailed Sumitomo Tires reviews that I think will be useful to you.
All are my actual experiences after many years of test driving with this brand. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
Thank you for reading!
Sumitomo HTR Z5 is a UHP asymmetric summer tire for high performance coupes, sedans and compact cars.
They are made in Thailand and are intended for the North American market. New for 2019.
Read more Sumitomo HTR Z5
Sumitomo HTR Enhance WX2 is an asymmetric all-weather tire for powerful passenger cars. They are characterized by stable handling on dry road surfaces, speed and precision of reactions to driver actions, high resistance to hydroplaning and good maneuverability.
Continue reading Sumitomo HTR Enhance WX2
Posted on Author RostislavCategories SumitomoTags asymmetric tires, all season tires, passenger tires, 2019 modelYearsLeave a comment on Sumitomo HTR Enhance WX2 Photo and description The Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 is a year-round passenger touring tire introduced in 2019.
They are characterized by high ride comfort, reliable grip in all weather and road conditions, good aquaplaning resistance and optimum fuel consumption.
Continue reading Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2
Sumitomo HTR Enhance CX2 is a year-round touring tire for crossovers. They are able to withstand intense daily use, and are also characterized by long, even wear, stable handling on dry and wet surfaces, as well as ride comfort and the ability to optimize fuel consumption. nine0003 Read more Sumitomo HTR Enhance CX2
Posted on Author RostislavCategories SumitomoTags CUV (crossovers), asymmetric tires, all season tires, 2019 modelLeave a comment on Sumitomo HTR Enhance CX2 Photo and description This 2018 model is designed to improve driving safety on wet and dry pavement, as well as on snow.
The WT200 is also characterized by high ride comfort, which at an affordable price makes it quite an interesting option for use in winter conditions. nine0003 Read more Sumitomo WT200 Posted on Author RostislavCategories SumitomoTags winter tires, passenger tires, 2018 model, directional tires, non-studded tiresLeave a comment on Sumitomo WT200 Photo and description period. SL 727 are characterized by reliable traction on dry and wet asphalt, resistance to uneven wear and high loads, fuel efficiency and long service life. nine0003 Read more Sumitomo SL727 (SL 727) Posted on Author RostislavCategories SumitomoTags light truck tires, summer tires, 2018 model, non-directional tires, symmetrical tiresLeave a comment on Sumitomo SL727 (SL 727) Photo and description designed for use on cars of various classes, as well as crossovers and SUVs. They are characterized by excellent traction, reliable grip and stable handling on snow, ice and even slush, as well as ride comfort.
Model 2017. nine0003 Read more Sumitomo Ice Edge Posted on Author RostislavCategories SumitomoTags CUV (crossovers), SUV (SUV), winter tires, passenger tires, 2017 model, directional tires, studded tiresLeave a comment on Sumitomo Ice Edge Photo and description of Sumitomo BC100 – asymmetric summer tires with a wide range of speed indices (T-H-V-W), which are suitable for daily use in the summer on cars and SUVs. They are distinguished by confident grip on wet surfaces and good hydroplaning resistance, excellent “adhesion” with dry asphalt, low noise and environmental friendliness. New in the Sumitomo summer range 2017. nine0003 Read more Sumitomo BC100
Posted on Author RostislavCategories SumitomoTags SUV (SUV), asymmetric tires, passenger tires, summer tires, 2017 modelLeave a comment on Sumitomo BC100 5.
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Sumitomo HTR A/S P01
Konstantin
February 12, 2019
Ultra high performance (that says it all)! great tread pattern! Great sidewall! And just a wonderful Japanese! Take it, you won't regret it. It is possible that relatively soft rubber, i.e. wear out quickly. But this is still only a suspicion, because. the manufacturer claims 65,000 km!
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