Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor

*Est. $135

Quiet and comfortable
70,000-mile warranty

Traction problems on mud, snow and ice
Treadwear complaints
More expensive than better-rated tires

Where to Buy

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Our Analysis

February 2009. The Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor was once the critics' favorite all-season tire for SUVs and light trucks, but it can no longer keep pace with new tires like the General Grabber HTS (*est. $95) in reviews. Older reviews praised the Fortera SilentArmor's performance -- especially on wet pavement -- but this tire does not appear in more recent expert tests. Owners say the Fortera SilentArmor lives up to its name as a quiet tire, but several complain about its grip on snow and ice, And some say it has worn out faster than they expected, although the Fortera SilentArmor carries a class-leading 70,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Petersen's 4 Wheel & Off-Road magazine tests the Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor's claims for quiet, handling and treadwear. Road and Track magazine compares the Fortera SilentArmor with a Michelin SUV tire. More than 400 owners rate and review the SilentArmor at Tire Rack. A brief review at Outside magazine praises the Fortera SilentArmor for its ability to grip wet pavement in a heavy storm. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site also provides helpful official tire ratings.

Where To Buy

Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
41 store reviews	In Stock.	$114.80	See It
4 store reviews	In Stock.	$100.00	See It
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Our Sources

1. Petersen's 4 Wheel & Off Road

In this detailed review at Petersen's 4 Wheel & Off-Road, Rick Pewe tests the Goodyear Fortera tires on a Kia Sorento 4x4 and finds the noise level drops by half compared with a previous tire. Performance and durability also earn praise here, but mud traction is a bit of a weak point.

Review: Goodyear Fortera Tires, Rick Pewe

2. Tire Rack

More than 400 owners rate and review the Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor, ranking it 12th among all-season tires covered at Tire Rack, a well-known retail site. Owners downgrade its traction on snow and ice, and some say it wore out faster than they expected.

Review: Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor, Contributors to Tire Rack

3. Road and Track Details/Subscribe

Comparing the Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor with the Michelin Cross Terrain SUV at a Goodyear testing facility, the Road & Track's Andrew Bornhop finds the Fortera SilentArmor only slightly quieter, but significantly more comfortable over bumps. It also has better grip on a wet-pavement autocross course.

Review: Ampersand Extra, Andrew Bornhop, Feb. 2005

4. Outside Magazine Details/Subscribe

Outside magazine rarely reviews tires, but this review of the Goodyear Fortera raves about its handling in a thunderstorm that sidelined most vehicles. Writer Grant Davis mentions no drawbacks.

Review: Goodyear Fortera SUV Tires, Grant Davis, June 29, 2005

5. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires manufacturers to test their tires for treadwear, traction and heat resistance, and to label them with these ratings. The Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor's treadwear ratings place it in the top 2 percent of all tires. It gets an A for traction on wet pavement (the highest rating is AA). Its H speed-rated version gets an A for heat resistance, while the version with a T speed rating gets a B.

Review: Tire Ratings, Editors of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration