Modern tires look mostly the same as tires have looked over the past 100 years— black and round. That’s where the similarity ends. With over 50 years in the auto service industry (47 as an ASE Master Technician), I witnessed the introduction of several new tire types and designs. As a “tire snob”, virtually every new tire design I saw was far superior to older models. This held true across the board, including tread design, speed, aspect ratio, temperature and wear ratings. Plus, they were long overdue, especially for cars whose brakes and tires couldn’t match the power output of the cars’ engines.
Today’s modern tires can have up to 200 unique compounds. This makes them less likely to experience a blowout, run smoother and quieter, making driving safer and more enjoyable. However, there is a belief that modern tires do not last as long as tires from 40 or 50 years ago. Due to tires (and brakes) being the most critical safety features on any vehicle, here’s what you need to know from a tire distributor and other knowledgeable tire experts.
How Are Tires Designed?
Modern tires are designed through a blend of precision engineering, chemistry, and rigorous testing, ensuring tires meet specific National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for performance, safety, traction, temperature and durability.
“Tires begin as layers of synthetic and natural rubber that are molded, cured, and reinforced with steel belts or textile plies for strength. Unlike older bias-ply tires [from 50 years ago], most of today’s passenger tires use radial construction. Radial construction gives tires sidewall flexibility while maintaining tread rigidity, improving comfort, stability, and fuel efficiency,” explained Enrique Dent, of Dent Tire Distributors.
Additionally, tire manufacturers collaborate with automakers to establish performance goals for a specific vehicle. Then, each tire is custom-designed and built for that specific vehicle.
Why Modern Tires Are Considered Worse
In the past, tires were constructed using harder, denser rubber compounds. They offered better mileage, but sacrificed grip, handling and comfort. “Today’s modern tires favor performance, fuel efficiency, and ride quality,” said Den. “Softer compounds combined with more flexible materials increase traction and braking performance but wear faster, which can make consumers feel they are getting less value for their money,” explained Dent. This has led to the perception that modern tires are “worse, when really tire priorities have simply shifted.
Tread life
Modern tires are constructed with softer rubber that handles better in cold weather. The trade-off will be less durability—and a shorter tread lifespan—than a harder rubber that handles well in warm weather. A harder all-season tire could last 70,000 miles, while softer all-weather tires tailored for colder, snowy climates may only have a 50,000-mile lifespan.
Increased cost
Modern tires incorporate materials and manufacturing methods that didn’t exist in the past, such as advanced polymers, high-silica compounds, computer-enhanced tread patterns, and stronger but lighter internal belts.
“All these factors that improve handling, fuel economy, and safety on vehicles having increased power, heavier curb weights, and advanced suspension systems have greatly increased production costs,” said Den. “You’re paying not just for rubber, but for decades of engineering that allows your vehicle to stop faster, use fuel more efficiently— designing tires tailored to precise original equipment manufacturer specifications, and are compatible with advanced tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).”
Additionally, tariffs, shipping costs, and raw material prices have risen worldwide, further increasing prices.
Thinner sidewalls
Most modern tires have thinner sidewalls for design and driveability reasons. Compared to older models, cars today use larger wheels with thinner (low-profile) sidewalls. “Thinner sidewalls decrease twisting when cornering, improve handling, stability, and aerodynamic performance, giving the driver more precise control,” said Dent. “Modern sidewalls use advanced multi-ply materials, synthetic cords, and bead reinforcements to withstand lateral loads that would have destroyed older tires.”
Run-flat tires (you can’t get any more modern than these) feature stiff, narrow, reinforced sidewalls that can support a vehicle’s weight without air pressure for short distances.
What Do Modern Tires Do Better?
Just about everything. Today’s modern tires deliver better braking control and steering stability, better handling, increased hydroplaning resistance, better heat tolerance, better shock absorption, run quieter, and offer lower rolling resistance than their 1970s counterparts. Modern tires are designed to work seamlessly with anti-lock brakes, traction control, and Advanced Driver Control Assistance (ADAS) systems.
“You’re paying not just for rubber, but for decades of engineering that allows your vehicle to stop faster and use fuel more efficiently,” said Dent.
Improved Gas Mileage
Yes. Modern tires offer improved fuel economy. Employing lower rolling resistance technology reduces the potential energy a tire consumes as it deforms against the road, minimizing energy loss. Dent explained, “Shifting to lower rolling resistance designs that utilize special tread patterns, silica-infused rubber, and shallower tread depths has made a measurable difference in fuel economy.”
So, Are They Really Worse?
No, modern tires are not really worse. The fact is that modern tires are significantly superior to older tires in terms of safety and traction. “In truth, said Dent, tire quality has improved, not declined. Precision manufacturing, balancing, and uniformity are at their best levels in history. They added, “What has changed is the trade-off of increased safety and performance at the cost of tire longevity.”
FAQ
Are tires for electric vehicles (EVs) different?
Yes. According to Jason Banys from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. “EV tires are equipped with features to handle an EV’s unique attributes, such as added weight and high electric motor torque [on acceleration].”
They also feature an aerodynamic sidewall with a specialized compound that can lower aerodynamic drag, decreasing rolling resistance for a longer range, something important to EV drivers. While many all-weather tires are now marketed as electric vehicle (EV) ready, do your homework before you buy. All-season tires have lower rolling resistance, but lack reinforced sidewalls and stiffer construction needed to handle an EV’s increased weight and mass, reducing their life span.
What’s the deal with “performance” and “eco” tires?
Performance tires usually come with V, W, Y or Z speed ratings (V-149 MPH; Z-186 MPH). They’re often constructed from much softer, high-grip rubber compounds. These materials maximize traction and cornering ability, making them ideal for sports cars and high-speed driving. The trade-off is a lifespan of 25,000–30,000 miles and lower fuel efficiency.
Eco-tires are designed for efficiency, sustainability and are manufactured in a more environmentally friendly way. Using more eco-friendly materials such as natural rubber, rice husk silica, and recycled polymers will cost you slightly more than a standard tire. They offer low rolling resistance to improve fuel economy or EV range. Optimized tread designs help increase tire longevity, providing a smooth, quieter ride and lower emissions.
About the Experts
- Enrique Dent of Dent Tire Distributors is the Founder of Dent Tires, LLC in Lithia Springs GA., and Co-Founders of Wood’s Tire Center at Dent Tire LLC and Wood’s Tire Center. Enrique has over half a century of expertise in the tire industry, logistics, inventory management, and business operations, including working with major companies such as Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. (Electronic communication, Nov. 4, 2025)
- Howard Boylan Jr. is a Co-Founder of Wood’s Tire Center and Dent Tire Distributors.
- Jason Banys is the assistant district manager for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
- Jim DeLeo is the Northeast Division Manager for Hunter Engineering Company.
- Melanie Musson is an auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org.
References
- § 575.104 Uniform tire quality grading standards, Code of Federal Regulations, Oct 29, 2025.
- Bias Ply vs. Radial Tires: Understanding the Differences, Counteract, Sep 18, 2024.
- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Tires, Federal Register, Oct 29, 2025.
- How to convert from bias-ply tire measurements to modern metric tire measurements without using a chart, Hemmings, July 3, 2025.
- Spectroscopy of Polymers, pg. 420, J.L. Koenig, Science Direct, 2nd Ed.
- How a Tire Is Made, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, Nov 4, 2025.
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