A Guide to Choosing the Right Tyres: Premium, Mid-Range, or Budget?

Whether you're an experienced motorists or just purchased your first car, selecting the tyres for your vehicle can feel overwhelming.

With a wide range of options manufacturers, models and categories to choose from - making the right choice can seem daunting. 

In this guide, we're going to have a look into the advantages and disadvantages of the 3 main categories of tyre - Premium, Mid Range and Budget.

Empowering you to make an informed decision that can be based on your driving habits, your budget, and your expectations.

Premium Tyres: Benefits and Drawbacks

Premium tyres are usually seen as the epitome of quality, performance, and, unfortunately, price.

They are developed to deliver a very high level or performance. With particular attention on their grip, handling, and stability across various driving conditions. Whether that's on a dry road or wet and snow covered roads.

Constructed with high quality materials and making use of advanced technologies, premium tyres offer unparalleled performance, durability, and safety.

A lot of time and money is spent during the R&D stage of a Premium tyre to ensure they meet these high standards. They are often the first to deliver in a new or innovative technology.

However, having said all that - they do have some negatives. The main drawback is the higher cost - which can be two or three times higher than mid-range or budget tyres.

For everyday driving, especially if you don't push your vehicle to its limits, the advantages of premium tyres may not justify the additional expense.

Popular Premium tyres include:

• Bridgestone Turanza T005
• Michelin Pilot Sport 5
• Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
• Continental AllSeasonContact

Mid-Range Tyres: Benefits and Drawbacks

Mid-range tyres, as their name suggests, tend to strike a balance between premium and budget tyres. Delivering a balanced blend of performance and affordability.

As a general rule, mid range tyres deliver a decent grip, good handling, and decent durability. All at a more reasonable price than Premium tyres.

As such, it makes them a popular choice among everyday motorists. Those who rely on their cars for commuting and running around for errands. 

Mid-range tyres are available in a wide range of sizes and models, catering to various vehicles and driving styles.

While they may not match the grip, handling, and comfort of premium tyres, especially in extreme driving conditions, they do tend to deliver a good value for money return.

However, mid-range tyres can wear down faster than their premium counterparts, potentially leading to higher long-term costs.

Popular Midrange tyres include:

• Kumho Ecowing ES31
• Uniroyal RainSport 5
• Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3
• Avon ZX7

Budget Tyres: Benefits and Drawbacks

Budget tyres are the cheapest option. They are designed to deliver a basic performance level and durability. As such you will find that they come a lower cost.

This makes them particularly popular with budget-restricted drivers.

Budget tyres come in a wide range of tyre sizes and there are a lot of manufacturers making an even wider choice of models. The significant advantage of budget tyres is their price point - as you will find them to be considerably cheaper than premium or mid-range options.

The trade off on this is that they may not provide the same levels of grip and handling as higher-tier car tyres, particularly in wet or snowy conditions.

Popular Budget tyres include:

• Pace Alventi
• Accelera Phi-R
• Rotalla RU01
• Tomket Sport

Factors to Consider When Choosing New Tyres

Several factors come into play when selecting the right tyres for your vehicle.

These factors include your car type, driving style, and weather conditions.

Different cars require specific tyre types based on weight, size, and performance.

To put that into context - sports cars may require high-performance tyres with exceptional grip, while 4x4s or SUVs may benefit from all-terrain tyres capable of handling rough terrain.

Your driving style will also influence the tyre selection. Drivers who predominantly travel on motorways may not require high-performance tyres, whereas motorists who enjoy pushing their vehicles hard may prefer tyres with improved grip and handling.

Weather conditions will also play a significant role in determining suitable tyres. Regions with frequent rain or snow necessitate tyres with superior traction and stability.

All-season tyres - such as the Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV - may be suitable for areas with mild weather, while severe winters may call for winter tyres.

Choosing the Right Tyres for Different Seasons

Tyre requirements may vary depending on the season and prevailing weather conditions. Consider the following tyre recommendations:

1. Summer Tyres: These tyres offer maximum grip and handling in dry and wet conditions. Made of harder rubber compounds, they withstand high temperatures and provide stability at high speeds.
   
   
2. Winter Tyres: Designed for improved traction and stability in snow, ice, and cold weather, winter tyres feature softer rubber compounds that remain flexible in low temperatures. Their deeper tread patterns ensure grip on snow and ice.
   
   
3. All-Season Tyres: All-season tyres strike a balance between summer and winter tyres, offering decent performance across various weather conditions. They comprise a combination of soft and hard rubber compounds and feature moderate tread patterns suitable for light snow and wet roads.