According to https://autos.yahoo.com/ownership/articles/luxury-tire-leader-just-overtook-194500354.html, JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study shows Michelin has edged past Goodyear to lead the luxury tire segment. Michelin scored 833 out of 1,000, narrowly beating Goodyear’s 829, against a segment average of 806. The result underlines how tight the competition is among premium tire makers this year.
The study measures satisfaction among new-car owners after one and two years, and it covers original equipment tires on battery electric vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles, and plug-in hybrids. Overall gaps between those powertrains have narrowed sharply, falling to 14 points from 47 in 2025. ICE vehicles scored 789, BEVs 775, and PHEVs 772, with plug-in hybrids showing the largest year-over-year gain at 29 points.
Michelin led several categories. It posted the top score in passenger car at 816, topped the performance sport segment with 818 for the third year running, and claimed the luxury crown with its 833 result. Goodyear finished strong as well, tying for second in passenger car at 798 with Toyo and placing second in performance sport at 805, though it settled in third in luxury behind Michelin.
In truck and utility tires, Pirelli came out on top with 801, followed by BFGoodrich at 790 and Michelin at 788. At the other end of the spectrum, Dunlop, a Goodyear-owned brand, recorded the lowest passenger car score at 723.
JD Power highlights a broader shift in buyer behavior. With satisfaction levels converging across tire brands and vehicle powertrains, replacement decisions are moving away from brand loyalty toward functional considerations. Fewer than half of owners stick with their original tire brand, often choosing alternatives based on wear characteristics, price, or technical fit.
The findings reflect changing priorities as vehicles electrify. Owners are paying closer attention to real-world performance, longevity, and compatibility, factors that now weigh heavily when picking replacement tires. For tire makers, the message is clear, keep improving across a range of use cases, because buyers are choosing practical performance over badges.
