6 Best Tires For Fuel Economy

If you’re looking to save some money at the pump and reduce your vehicle’s impact on the environment, you’re in the right place.

We know that choosing the right tires can be a bit confusing, so we’ve put together a list of top-performing, fuel efficient tires to help you make the best decision for your vehicle. Whether you drive a car, truck, or SUV, we’ve got you covered.

Our top pick is the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season, offering impressive fuel efficiency without compromising on performance, handling, and year-round traction.

These eco-friendly tires are designed specifically for crossovers, SUVs, and pickups, making them the ideal choice for an economical and smooth ride.

So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of eco-friendly tires that’ll keep you cruising smoothly while saving you some hard-earned cash.

Let’s take a closer look.

Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season

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Key Performance Metrics

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Description

The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season is an eco-friendly tire designed for crossovers, SUVs, and prestigious pickups.

Featuring Ecoimpact icons on the sidewall, the tire reduces rolling resistance and weight, leading to improved fuel economy and decreased CO2 emissions.

The tire is engineered for optimal dry and wet road handling, comfort, and year-round capabilities, including light snow traction.

Its silica tread compound and asymmetric tread design ensure uniform wear, while four wide circumferential grooves enhance wet traction and resist hydroplaning.

High-density lateral siping improves wet and winter traction.

Limited sizes of the Scorpion Verde All Season come with Pirelli’s Noise Cancelling System, a layer of sound-absorbing foam that reduces cabin noise.

Review

In my opinion, the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season is an excellent tire for those seeking strong wet and dry performance.

With impressive corner stability, steering response, and traction, it provides a confident driving experience. Its winter/snow performance is above average, making it more suitable for various weather conditions.

However, its comfort levels are average, with relatively more noise, and its treadwear is slightly below average.

I’d recommend the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season for performance-focused drivers who don’t mind sacrificing some comfort and treadwear.

Pros

• Excellent wet and dry performance, with strong corner stability and steering response
• Above-average winter/snow performance

Cons

• Average comfort levels, with relatively more noise
• Slightly below-average treadwear

Michelin Energy Saver A/S

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Key Performance Metrics

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Description

The Michelin Energy Saver A/S is an all-season passenger car tire designed for hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles. It aims to maximize fuel economy without sacrificing dry, wet, and light snow traction.

The tire utilizes Michelin Green X technology to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. It features EnergySaver Construction and a unique silica-based tread rubber, resulting in low rolling resistance and cooler tire temperatures.

The symmetric design offers predictable handling and all-season traction, while grooves enhance wet performance and resist hydroplaning.

Michelin Comfort Control Technology reduces vibrations and road noise, and the tire’s internal structure combines strength, efficiency, and comfort.

Review

In my experience, the Michelin Energy Saver A/S is a well-rounded tire that offers good dry performance, with strong traction and steering response.

I find the ride quality to be comfortable and relatively low on noise, making it suitable for my daily commute. The treadwear of this tire is decent, allowing for a longer lifespan.

However, I have noticed that its winter/snow performance is lower, particularly on ice, and its wet performance, while good, is not the best on this list.

Overall, I would recommend the Michelin Energy Saver A/S as a reliable choice for drivers seeking a comfortable tire with good dry performance.

Pros

• Good dry performance, with strong traction and steering response
• Comfortable ride quality and relatively low noise
• Decent treadwear

Cons

• Lower winter/snow performance, particularly on ice
• Wet performance is good, but not the best in the list

Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter

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Key Performance Metrics

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Description

The Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter is a Grand Touring All-Season tire designed for drivers of coupes, sedans, minivans, and crossovers seeking year-round capability, long treadwear, fuel efficiency, and a comfortable ride.

The symmetric design features a silica-enhanced, Long-Link Carbon all-season tread compound, promoting even wear and easy rotation for quiet service.

Four circumferential grooves improve wet grip, while full-depth tread enhances light snow traction. Firestone’s Fuel Fighter Technology optimizes components and construction for fuel economy, with Fuel Fighter Sidewall Technology and Fuel Fighter Steel Cord adding efficiency and strength.

The tire’s internal structure consists of polyester body casing, steel belts, and a spirally-wrapped nylon reinforcement, ensuring durability, ride quality, and stability while focusing on fuel economy.

Review

In my experience, the Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter has good wet and dry performance, offering strong traction and corner stability.

Its winter/snow performance is also decent, making it suitable for a variety of weather conditions.

However, I’ve noticed that the tire’s comfort levels are not as high as some other options, with a bit more noise and a less comfortable ride quality.

Additionally, the treadwear is below average, which could be a concern for those looking for a long-lasting tire.

I would recommend the Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter for drivers who want a tire with good wet and dry performance and decent winter/snow capabilities but are willing to compromise on comfort and treadwear.

Pros

• Good wet and dry performance, with strong traction and steering response
• Above-average winter/snow performance in light snow

Cons

• Average comfort levels, with relatively more noise
• Below-average treadwear

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max

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Key Performance Metrics

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Description

The Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max is a mid-tier Passenger All-Season tire designed for drivers of cars, coupes, vans, and crossovers seeking affordably priced tires with long wear, wet traction, and low rolling resistance.

The tire offers year-round confidence in various weather conditions, including light snow, and features lower rolling resistance for improved fuel economy.

The tread design consists of distinct zones, with inboard and outboard Dry Tread Zones using strong shoulder blocks for enhanced dry handling.

The central Wet Tread Zone has Dual Aquachannel grooves that evacuate water, promoting wet weather traction. The notched center rib and shoulder grooves provide dry road stability, even treadwear, and snowy conditions traction.

The tire’s internal structure includes twin steel belts, with H-speed rated sizes reinforced with spirally wrapped nylon belt edge strips, atop a polyester casing for improved ride quality.

Review

Personally, I find the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max to be a tire with good wet performance, providing better traction compared to some other tires on the list.

Its treadwear is decent, making it a relatively durable choice.

However, its dry performance is average, with slightly lower corner stability and steering response.

I’ve also noticed that the tire’s comfort is lower than some other options, with more noise and a lower ride quality.

Its winter/snow performance is average.

In my opinion, the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max is suitable for drivers who prioritize wet performance and treadwear over comfort.

Pros

• Good wet performance, with better traction
• Decent treadwear

Cons

• Average dry performance, with slightly lower corner stability and steering response
• Lower comfort, with more noise and lower ride quality
• Average winter/snow performance

Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus

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Key Performance Metrics

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Description

The Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus is a Grand Touring All-Season tire designed for drivers of coupes, sedans, minivans, and small crossover vehicles aiming for longer wear and better handling.

This tire enhances vehicle fuel economy by reducing rolling resistance and CO2 emissions while maintaining traction in various weather conditions, including light snow.

The Ecopia EP422 Plus features an enhanced all-season tread compound using Bridgestone’s unique NanoPro-Tech to minimize energy loss and ensure traction.

The symmetric tread design includes notched shoulders, intermediate ribs, and independent center blocks for dry road tracking and traction.

Four circumferential grooves help resist hydroplaning and enhance wet traction, while notches and sipes improve light snow grip.

The tire’s sidewalls incorporate Bridgestone’s Fuel Saver compound for further efficiency.

The internal structure consists of twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wrapped nylon over a polyester casing, combining ride comfort and durability.

Review

I have found the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus to be a solid all-season tire that performs well in wet conditions, offering good hydroplaning resistance.

Its ride quality is comfortable and the treadwear is decent, making it suitable for drivers seeking a tire that provides comfort and lasts longer.

However, I’ve noticed that its dry performance and steering response are average, and its winter/snow performance is lower, particularly in deep snow and on ice.

I think the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus is a suitable choice for those prioritizing wet performance and ride quality.

Pros

• Good wet performance, with hydroplaning resistance
• Comfortable ride quality
• Decent treadwear

Cons

• Average dry performance and steering response
• Lower winter/snow performance, particularly in deep snow and on ice

Continental ContiProContact

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Key Performance Metrics

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Description

The Continental ContiProContact is a Grand Touring All-Season tire initially developed for European sport coupes and sedans and now available for various imported and domestic vehicles.

It is designed to offer a blend of attractive appearance, handling, low noise, and a smooth ride while providing all-season versatility and year-round traction, including light snow conditions.

The tire features an all-season tread compound in a symmetric, notched-rib design, enhancing steering response and handling while resisting hydroplaning and improving wet traction.

Continental’s PROactive Edge Technology adds over 800 arched edges to the tire’s tread design, enhancing stormy-weather traction and minimizing on-road noise.

The internal structure consists of twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wrapped nylon, ensuring tread area stability, uniformity, and high-speed durability.

Review

I’ve experienced the Continental ContiProContact as a tire with good wet and dry performance, providing a balanced driving experience in various conditions.

Its ride quality is comfortable, making it suitable for my daily driving.

However, I’ve found that its winter/snow performance is lower, especially in deep snow and on ice.

The treadwear of this tire is below average, which might be a concern for those seeking a longer-lasting tire.

For me, the Continental ContiProContact is a decent option for drivers looking for a tire with balanced wet and dry performance and comfort.

Pros

• Good wet and dry performance
• Comfortable ride quality

Cons

• Lower winter/snow performance, especially in deep snow and on ice
• Below-average treadwear

Are Fuel Efficient Tires Worth It?

Let’s break down the advantages and potential drawbacks of these eco-friendly tires to help you decide if they’re right for your vehicle.

One of the main reasons people choose fuel efficient tires is, of course, to save money on fuel. These tires are designed with a special rubber compound and tread pattern that reduce rolling resistance, which means your vehicle needs less energy to move forward. Over time, this can translate to significant savings on gas costs. So, if you drive a lot, fuel efficient tires could be a smart choice.

Another great benefit of fuel efficient tires is that they help the environment. By using less gas, you’re not only saving money, but also reducing your vehicle’s carbon dioxide emissions. This is a win-win situation for both your wallet and the planet.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that fuel efficient tires might not be the best option for everyone. In some cases, they may have a slightly higher price tag compared to regular tires. While the long-term fuel savings can offset this initial cost, if you don’t drive much or plan to change your vehicle soon, you might not see the full benefit of the investment.

Also, fuel efficient usually don’t perform as well in certain driving conditions, like heavy snow. For those who frequently encounter winter weather, a winter tire or a traditional all-season tire may be a better option. That being said, many fuel efficient tires still offer reasonable all-season performance, including traction in light snow.

Low Rolling Resistance Tires Pros And Cons

The advantages of tires with low rolling resistance are obvious – you save fuel and help save the environment. I don’t think we need to spend too much more time on these benefits. It’s more important to understand what the tradeoffs are going to be.

One thing to keep in mind is that low rolling resistance tires might not offer the same level of grip and traction as other tires, especially on wet or icy roads. That’s because their main goal is to reduce rolling resistance, and sometimes that means compromising a bit on other performance factors. But, hey, no tire is perfect, right? So, it’s essential to think about your driving habits and the conditions you usually face to decide if these tires are the best fit for you.

Finally, let’s talk about price. Low rolling resistance tires can sometimes be a bit more expensive than regular tires. That’s because they use advanced materials and technology to get that oh-so-smooth roll. But don’t worry! The extra cash you spend upfront might be well worth it in the long run, thanks to the fuel savings you’ll enjoy. Plus, you can feel good about doing your part for the environment.

Review Process

It’s nearly impossible to collect every available tire on the market and measure their performance under the exact same conditions. UTQG attempts to do this but it’s an old methodology and needs updating, but it still provides some valuable insight.

A better metric for measuring tire performance is a large sample of customer feedback specifically answering questions about individual performance characteristics.

With a large enough pool of customer comments and grades, a reasonably accurate ranking can be made for how well you will find a tire to work for you in a given situation.

Third-party customer feedback is compiled and averaged across multiple performance metrics and averaged to provide an overall score and each tire is ranked based on these criteria.

Customer feedback is broken down into the following:

• Wet Traction
• Dry Traction
• Comfort
• Treadwear

In this case, the tires were also ranked specifically on customer feedback regarding snow performance.

Unfortunately, not every tire has the sales volume to collect a sizable enough database of feedback from real-world customers. This means you won’t find lesser-known brands and shorter-run models in our reviews.

However, when manufacturers that may not be household names hit a home run, the tire will become popular and eventually rise to the attention of enough customers that enough data will be collected to allow for a reasonable ranking of it versus the competition.

Over time this article will be updated and as new designs come to the market that pushes the performance envelope further and set a new bar, you’ll find them here.

Resources

Below are some links you may find helpful when learning about tires

• What you need to know about low rolling resistance tires – Edmunds
• Low rolling resistance tires can save you money at the pump – Consumer Reports
• Consumer ratings – Tire Rack

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, selecting the best tires for fuel economy can be a smart move for both your wallet and the environment. By understanding the unique features, benefits, and trade-offs of low rolling resistance tires, you can make an informed decision that suits your driving needs and preferences.

Remember to weigh factors such as fuel efficiency, performance, and cost to find the perfect balance and enjoy a smoother, more eco-friendly ride.